Programs and Events Lead - In Person - Phoenix, AZ

The Programs & Events Lead serves as the day-to-day lead for NASCLA's programs and events department, owning the coordination and execution of the association's conferences, meetings, trainings, webinars, and live streams. This position is responsible for end-to-end program and event delivery: from pre-planning through on-site execution to post-event evaluation. The Programs & Events Lead ensures every program reflects NASCLA's standard for high-quality, memorable member experiences.

Working under the direction of the People & Growth Officer, who sets departmental direction and strategy, the Lead turns that strategy into results by leading the Programs & Events team and coordinating workflow across the department. This role is hands-on by design and will scale toward oversight as the department grows. It is best suited for an experienced events professional with proven program and events expertise, a track record of leading successful teams, and the ability to bring structure to fast-moving work.

The Programs & Events Lead may have direct reports and must have proven experience successfully leading teams, with the ability to guide, direct, and coordinate the work of teams and individuals in the course of their duties.

Duties and Responsibilities Programs & Events Leadership Translate the direction and strategy set by the People & Growth Officer into actionable plans, timelines, and team assignments for all programs and events Own the coordination and execution of all conferences, meetings, trainings, and educational programs (virtual, in-person, and hybrid) from pre-planning through post-event wrap-up Provide input into the planning of all conferences, meetings, trainings, and educational programs (virtual, in-person, and hybrid) Oversee NASCLA's virtual programs, including webinars, Live Streams, and State Member Calls, ensuring consistent quality, flow, and attendee experience Support the People & Growth Officer in developing and maintaining the annual programs and events calendar Serve as the primary on-site contact for all programs and events, leading execution and troubleshooting Lead post-event evaluations, generate meeting and event reports, and recommend improvements for future programs Identify opportunities to improve, elevate, and streamline program and event processes, timelines, and platforms, and bring recommendations to the People & Growth Officer Support the People & Growth Officer in growing and developing programs that advance organizational and revenue goals Work with committees as assigned Travel as required for programs and events Team Leadership Lead the Programs & Events team to successful outcomes: coordinate workflow, set day-to-day priorities, and ensure deadlines and quality standards are met across all projects Build and sustain a collaborative, accountable, high-performing team culture Provide guidance, direction, coaching, and mentorship to team members to support their growth and the department's benchmarking goals Delegate tasks strategically based on team strengths and ensure timely, accurate follow-through Partner with the Programs & Marketing Coordinator to ensure marketing plans for programs and events are executed on time and aligned with event goals Build and document department processes, checklists, and workflows to support consistency and team growth Keep the People & Growth Officer informed of team progress, challenges, and needs Collaborate across departments to ensure the success of all NASCLA programs and events Event Logistics & Execution Own event logistics and execution, including venues, AV, F&B, housing, transportation, and on-site operations, whether handled directly or through oversight of team members Ensure detailed travel plans, itineraries, agendas, and schedules are developed and executed for all programs and events Coordinate logistics for NASCLA Training Programs (virtual and in-person) as delegated by People & Growth Officer Plan all aspects of the annual mission trip logistics Support planning of team-building programs and events as outlined by leadership Oversee event registration systems for all conferences and meetings, including Mid-Year Meeting and Annual Conference Establish and oversee event checklists and project timelines in Smartsheet, ensuring all team tasks are assigned and on track Vendor, Speaker & Sponsorship Lead vendor relationships, including contract negotiation, relationship management, and timely delivery of services and products Lead speaker coordination, including scheduling, contracts, honorariums, and travel, ensuring a seamless speaker experience Support the People & Growth Officer with speaker sourcing and vetting as needed Ensure sponsorship deliverables, payments, and sponsor logistics (booth setup, materials, and on-site support) are executed in partnership with People & Growth Officer Build and maintain strong working relationships with board members, committee members, and volunteers in support of programs and events Budget & Reporting Manage event budgets in collaboration with People & Growth Officer and ensure all events stay within established budget constraints Track event performance, attendance, and outcomes and report results to the People & Growth Officer Provide insight and recommendations to support annual program and event budget planning General Answer questions and provide information to staff, vendors, clients, and professionals Meet and exceed benchmarking goals established by People & Growth Officer Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum of 5-7 years of proven, hands-on program and event planning and management experience, including conferences and multi-day events Minimum of 3 years of experience leading, supervising, or managing people, teams, or a department, with a demonstrated track record of leading successful teams Very strong team leadership skills: proven ability to motivate, develop, delegate to, and hold team members accountable while fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment Experience managing programs such as webinars, live streams, virtual meetings, or training programs, or strong transferable program management skills Bachelor's degree required Association and nonprofit experience preferred CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) certification preferred Exceptional organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple overlapping activities and priorities Strong vendor management, contract negotiation, and budget management skills Outstanding written and verbal communication skills Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to build structure and process where none exists Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Smartsheet, Canva, and virtual event and video conferencing platforms; QuickBooks Pro and Adobe experience a plus Ability to work flexible hours outside normal office hours as needed for events Willingness and ability to travel regularly for programs and events