Manager, Education & Progams

Job Overview

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), the Washington, DC-based trade association representing 35,000 companies in the $8.2 trillion distribution industry, is seeking a creative, highly organized, content-driven professional to join our team. This role is ideal for someone who thrives managing multiple stakeholders, vendors, and speakers while balancing hands‑on execution with broader organizational goals. The Manager, Education & Programs will support the content development of educational programs, contributing to program success from concept through delivery.

This position plays an important role in NAW’s events and programs portfolio by managing assigned program components, supporting execution timelines, and collaborating closely with the internal team and external partners. The Manager will operate with moderate independence while receiving strategic direction from senior leadership and contributes to the ongoing enhancement of NAW’s educational offerings.

• Work with thought leaders, consultants, academics, business leaders, etc. to facilitate speakers, research, and other content for assigned meetings and sessions. Manage speaker logistics, send approved speaker invites, monitor and track contracts and budgets, and coordinate travel reimbursements.
• Manage the registration and data entry for speakers and thought leaders for events and programs.
• Maintain NAW Speakers Bureau including maintenance of speaker records, speaker outreach and recruitment, speaker content and availability, and session details. Collect speaker content leading up to each event, confirm presentation formatting, branding consistency, and conduct a preliminary review of event presentations.
• Ensure speakers have all necessary information leading up to each event regarding hotel rooms, flight information, location of session, etc. Serve as speaker contact ensuring timely arrival for sound checks on site.
• Coordinate closely with events team on logistics of assigned programs and events.
• Serve as point of contact for Marketing team, responsible for confirming themes, session descriptions, program content goals, speaker titles and bios and help update webpage accordingly.
• Research potential speakers and identify innovative programming approaches to enhance content quality and audience engagement.
• Develop necessary meeting materials and file management.
• Identify and analyze industry trends in coordination with the content council to help guide fluidity across all NAW content.
• Collaborate with and respond to member inquiries as necessary.
• Contribute to agenda development including drafting agendas, session descriptions, and scripting support.
• Conduct initial contract review of assigned contracts to ensure compliance with approved clauses.

• Ability to shape innovative program experiences from high-level ideas and concepts.
• Strong analytical, research and data evaluation skills to identify trends among event attendees.
• Effective communicator with solid written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to relationship-build.
• Ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously and maintain tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and plan ahead.
• Ability to create new processes and demonstrate sound judgment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience, required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in program coordination, with a demonstrated track record of success in content development, required.

• Experience in cross-functional teamwork and program management, required.
• Knowledge of Salesforce and/or other CRM platforms, MS Office and the association or distribution industry, desirable.

The position is based at NAW’s headquarters office in Washington, DC, near Metro Center. NAW is currently offering a hybrid work model. Employees are required to be in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and upon request for mandatory meetings or events. Employees are provided the opportunity to work remotely on Monday and Friday. The hybrid work model is subject to change.

Send a cover letter and your resume to NAWJobs

Travel: up to 20%