Job Description

Events Manager

Full-time FAS staff

Washington, DC

Why FAS?  

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join?  Is it aligned to your values?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future for all through the nexus of science, technology and talent. We value equity, inclusion, and transparency.  As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Skills and Expertise: Must Haves

What skills do you need to possess to be a strong candidate?

A strong candidate will display a strategic vision for utilizing events to further positive policy impact across different  areas of science and technology policy. This person will internalize FAS’s theory of change and policy entrepreneurship, and then lead on crafting first-class events that embody this spirit. This person will have the skills and confidence to put executives position to succeed in front of stakeholder audiences, and institute organizational processes that ensure a consistent level of event execution year-round.

• Demonstrates an understanding of how FAS-hosted events can amplify and reinforce opportunities for positive policy impact at both organizational and team levels
• Leads event preparation on behalf of FAS and coordinating across teams on execution  
• Helps FAS leadership and policy staff connect the story of their work with event programming
• Works within the FAS Communications team to align event programming with strategic communications goals
• Demonstrates calmness under pressure and ability to troubleshoot issues involving multiple stakeholders quickly and decisively
• Anticipates potential challenges across FAS teams and with partner organizations, raises them proactively, and leads in developing solutions to those challenges
• Manages end-to-end logistics for major in-person and hybrid events and meetings
• Handles venue and vendor sourcing and contract management (for event venues, catering, production teams, A/V contractors, restaurant and hotel reservations, transportation)

Expertise

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate?

• Excellent written, verbal and in-person communication skills
• Excellent stakeholder-management and cross-functional leadership skills, including the ability to manage up, influence peers, and effectively coordinate and guide colleagues supporting events. 
• Experience establishing and managing relationships with various contractors and vendors
• Demonstrated project and event management skills, including budgeting and contract management
• Proven ability to follow through on clear action plans and exert organizational structure where it is lacking
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple issues at the same time
• A spirit of experimentation and creativity when it comes to designing event programming for a diverse range of stakeholders and audiences

Nice to haves

• Familiarity with and enthusiasm for science and innovative government policy
• Experience with Salesforce
• Experience with Luma
• Experience with Google Sheets + Forms
• Experience with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, or Premiere

To Sum It Up…

What’s the “elevator pitch” for the role?

The Federation of American Scientists is looking for an Events Manager to join its communications team. This role would sit within the FAS Communications team, but would lead efforts to design and execute in-person, hybrid and virtual events across the organization. 

In recent years, events have become an essential tool for FAS leadership and policy teams to evangelize their work, create new avenues for collaboration and positively influence policy conversations in Washington and beyond. FAS has a growing reputation for delivering compelling events that draw scientists, policymakers, researchers, philanthropists, and other thought leaders together to drive positive change based on innovative, evidence-based policy ideas. The new events manager would help bolster that reputation by further professionalizing our execution of these events, while also injecting new thinking and a spirit of experimentation into how we design our event presentation and programming.

The ideal candidate for this role will possess stellar people skills, impressive energy and drive,  superb organizational and logistical acumen, and a genuine interest in the intersection of public policy, science, and innovation. The candidate will have experience working with contractors and vendors and collaborating with them to regularly deliver world-class events. This candidate will be skilled at working with high-level executives, and show the ability to multitask effectively, drive others to action, and impose needed structure on fast-moving situations where it may be lacking.

Work Environment 

This position will be a hybrid role, meaning that both remote and in-person work can be accommodated, generally two to three days per week on-site, and two to three days per week remote.  

This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to collective bargaining.

For this role, much of the work will consist of working with policy teams to craft stories about their work to maximize reach and impact with important stakeholders in the federal government and on Capitol Hill, as well as creating and executing unique ways to raise FAS’s profile with the public at large.

Salary Range

$80,000-$92,500

Hiring Statement

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists  prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.  Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.

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