Program Director, Events

Overview

Location:

New York, NY
Department:
Events
Posted: 1/16/2026
Location Name:
New York, NY
Wage Min:
Wage Max:
Position Type:
Full Time

Founded in 1916, The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers trusted insights for what’s ahead. Our agenda is simple: to help leaders navigate the biggest issues facing business and better serve society. We believe in innovative approaches that make you think- and act- differently. And everything we do reflects the input of our members and their real-world challenges.

We do this by delivering business insights. We connect senior executives across industries and geographies to share ideas, and our experts create fact-based research and consensus-driven policy statements to help leaders address their most important business issues.

Because we are independent, non-partisan, and non-profit our work is trusted. If you learned it at The Conference Board you can count on it.

What it’s like to work here:
While it’s serious work to operate a global business think tank, it’s also fulfilling — and fun! Our people enjoy what they do and know their ideas matter. We encourage everyone to take personal ownership for outcomes: we collaborate, share a purpose and commit to each other and to our Members. It’s all about doing our very best - which means we succeed as our Members succeed - together we improve society.

The Conference Board invites all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance with our online application system and would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please email Sarah Baylis at SBaylis or call at . Please indicate your full name, contact information and the specific accommodation needed.

The Director, Events Programming leads the design and execution of high-impact event strategy and agendas across TCB's portfolio of events convened for senior business decision makers. This role is responsible for setting event strategy and themes, curating compelling content, booking world-class and impactful speakers, and producing onstage experiences that reflect the issues shaping today s global business landscape.

You ll be part editor, part producer, and part strategist — someone who can translate complex ideas into engaging, story-driven programming that inspires audiences and advances The Conference Board s mission.

This role defines strategy and owns outcomes. The Director sets the intellectual vision for event programs, serves as an editorial decision-maker, and represents TCB externally, with full accountability for content quality, relevance, and strategic impact.

• Programming & Content Strategy
  • Develop conference agendas from concept through execution, defining themes, topics, and narrative flow for each program.
  • Translate TCB s research and strategic priorities into engaging, insight-driven formats that foster real dialogue and learning.
  • Identify emerging trends, topics, and thought leaders in business, economics, ESG, HR, technology, and leadership.
  • Partner with TCB s research centers and subject matter experts to ensure each program s content is relevant, rigorous, and distinctive.
  • Serve as decision-maker on agenda structure, thematic direction, and narrative coherence.
• Speaker Recruitment & Relationship Management
  • Source, vet, and secure top-tier speakers, panelists, and moderators from across industries and sectors.
  • Co-create engaging and valuable sponsor-driven speakers and stage sessions, balancing commercial priorities and enhancing on stage content quality.
  • Manage speaker outreach, briefing, and on-site experience to ensure alignment with event objectives and brand standards.
  • Build and sustain relationships with high-level business leaders, policymakers, academics, and innovators, as well as internal TCB stakeholders globally.
  • Personally recruit and steward senior-level speakers (C-suite, policymakers, global experts) and maintain long-term strategic relationships.
• Event Production & Onstage Experience
  • Shape the structure and pacing of sessions in collaboration with production teams —…