The Pokmon Company International
Manager, Convention Programming
The Pokmon Company International, Bellevue, Washington, United States, 98009
Manager, Convention Programming
The Manager, Convention Programming provides visionary and strategic leadership to the Convention Programming team in the development and execution of compelling, high-impact content for our global conventions and experiences. This role is responsible for curating innovative, audience-centric programming that aligns with our brand, engages diverse fan segments, and drives measurable outcomes. The ideal candidate is a creative storyteller, experienced in large-scale event content strategy, speaker management, and team leadership. Program Strategy & Design Develop and lead the overall content strategy for global conventions, ensuring alignment with business goals and audience needs. Design innovative session experiences (e.g., keynotes, panels, workshops, immersive activations) that elevate engagement and onsite experience. Stay ahead of industry trends in event content, audience engagement, and experiential programming. Champion new formats, technologies, and storytelling techniques to continuously evolve the convention experience. Leverage analytics to measure session performance and attendee engagement, using insights to optimize future programming. Speaker & Talent Management Source, vet, and secure high-caliber speakers, moderators, and facilitators from across the community. Manage all aspects of speaker engagement, including outreach, briefing, logistics, and on-site support. Collaborate with internal stakeholders and executive leadership to prepare internal speakers and ensure message alignment. Operational Excellence Oversee content timelines, speaker deliverables, and production milestones to ensure flawless execution. Manage content budgets and vendor relationships related to programming and speaker services. Lead post-event content reporting, including feedback analysis, attendance metrics, and recommendations. Team Leadership & Development Build and lead a high-performing convention programming team. Define team structure, roles, and responsibilities to support scalable programming across multiple events. Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability through mentorship, coaching, and professional development. Set clear goals and performance metrics, conduct regular feedback sessions, and support career growth for team members. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in team hiring, development, and content creation practices. What you'll bring 7+ years of experience in a relevant industry, such as events, entertainment or gaming industries. 3+ years of experience developing and managing high-performing teams. 15 - 20% business travel required. Bachelor's degree required. Proven success in curating and managing content for large-scale, multi-day events, including building a conference-style program. Working knowledge of Anime/Comic/Gaming conventions and a strong understanding of B2C and fan conventions. Strong understanding and knowledge of Pokmon brand and its fan base. Experience managing executive-level speakers and high-profile talent. Exceptional communication, storytelling, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with multiple priorities, e.g. comfortable working on multiple sessions for multiple events at the same time. Ability to switch between a supporting role and leading role. Proficient in Microsoft and Google tools. Experience with Workfront a plus. Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between $129,000 - $155,000 per year. The full range is $129,000 - $198,000 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate's qualifications and professional experience uniquely.
The Manager, Convention Programming provides visionary and strategic leadership to the Convention Programming team in the development and execution of compelling, high-impact content for our global conventions and experiences. This role is responsible for curating innovative, audience-centric programming that aligns with our brand, engages diverse fan segments, and drives measurable outcomes. The ideal candidate is a creative storyteller, experienced in large-scale event content strategy, speaker management, and team leadership. Program Strategy & Design Develop and lead the overall content strategy for global conventions, ensuring alignment with business goals and audience needs. Design innovative session experiences (e.g., keynotes, panels, workshops, immersive activations) that elevate engagement and onsite experience. Stay ahead of industry trends in event content, audience engagement, and experiential programming. Champion new formats, technologies, and storytelling techniques to continuously evolve the convention experience. Leverage analytics to measure session performance and attendee engagement, using insights to optimize future programming. Speaker & Talent Management Source, vet, and secure high-caliber speakers, moderators, and facilitators from across the community. Manage all aspects of speaker engagement, including outreach, briefing, logistics, and on-site support. Collaborate with internal stakeholders and executive leadership to prepare internal speakers and ensure message alignment. Operational Excellence Oversee content timelines, speaker deliverables, and production milestones to ensure flawless execution. Manage content budgets and vendor relationships related to programming and speaker services. Lead post-event content reporting, including feedback analysis, attendance metrics, and recommendations. Team Leadership & Development Build and lead a high-performing convention programming team. Define team structure, roles, and responsibilities to support scalable programming across multiple events. Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability through mentorship, coaching, and professional development. Set clear goals and performance metrics, conduct regular feedback sessions, and support career growth for team members. Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in team hiring, development, and content creation practices. What you'll bring 7+ years of experience in a relevant industry, such as events, entertainment or gaming industries. 3+ years of experience developing and managing high-performing teams. 15 - 20% business travel required. Bachelor's degree required. Proven success in curating and managing content for large-scale, multi-day events, including building a conference-style program. Working knowledge of Anime/Comic/Gaming conventions and a strong understanding of B2C and fan conventions. Strong understanding and knowledge of Pokmon brand and its fan base. Experience managing executive-level speakers and high-profile talent. Exceptional communication, storytelling, and stakeholder management skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with multiple priorities, e.g. comfortable working on multiple sessions for multiple events at the same time. Ability to switch between a supporting role and leading role. Proficient in Microsoft and Google tools. Experience with Workfront a plus. Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between $129,000 - $155,000 per year. The full range is $129,000 - $198,000 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate's qualifications and professional experience uniquely.