Global Events Manager, Education Programs: Blackboard Inc.

Job Description

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The Global Events Manager, Educational Programs is responsible for developing and implementing, in conjunction with the internal and cross-functional teams and external program committee, the educational program content and tracks for Blackboard’s global user conferences, summits, forums and other thought leadership gatherings that focus on delivering the highest quality technical training and expertise to enable Blackboard users to leverage Blackboard technology to its fullest extent - as the enterprise educational application in teaching and learning.  The Global Events Manager, Educational Programs will serve as the lead event manager responsible for developing educational themes and tracks that achieve the quality and needs of Blackboard users and supports Blackboard’s current corporate goals and initiatives while reinforcing our commitment to our clients. Reports to the Senior Manager, Corporate Events & Conferences.

The Global Events Manager, Educational Programs will play an integral role in the success of the Corporate Events & Conferences Team. Specifically s/he will:

• Develop pertinent educational program content in partnership with a team of subject matter experts within Blackboard’s vertical marketing teams (e.g., Higher Education, K-12, Professional Education, Blackboard Transact, Blackboard Connect, Blackboard Mobile), as well as other resources both externally and internally (e.g., Blackboard Training, Product Development, Program Committees and other client groups), to research and identify relevant program content. 
• Identify and invite volunteer key clients to submit proposals, participate on program review committee, and drive content marketing efforts about our conferences and events
• Prepare and distribute materials and hosting webinars to speakers and program committee
• Manage sessions and speakers on-site
• Write promotional content and manage content marketing efforts to to promote our conferences and events
• Manage and lead program guide editing process and manage sessions/signage updates via contracted vendor’s data management portal
• Supervise and update web content on conference websites, both hosted and corporate

Required Experience

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5+ years related experience, preferably in the education/technology sector in fast-paced dynamic environment.
• The candidate must possess seasoned skills in all aspects of program management: Development, execution, evaluation and post-mortem analysis.
• Other relevant skills include, but are not limited to on-site program management: , Monitoring sessions; coordinating with liaisons, speakers and the program committee; assisting with registration setup and teardown; providing operational support, and other duties as assigned.
• Must have an in-depth understanding of educational program development and familiarity with hotel specifications.  Certified educational program development experience a plus.
  Attention to detail, self-motivated, exceptional organizational skills, excellent time management skills, and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously required.  Ability to work well in both team environments and autonomously.
• Knowledge of total marketing mix including, but not limited to program management, marketing communications, events marketing,  ,  content marketing, program logistics, etc.
• Excellent written, communication, copy editing and presentation skills.  Writing sample must be submitted, with a preference towards conference related content.
• Experience in managing budgets, projects and vendors.
• Ability to interact with all levels of management within the company as well as customers and prospects.
• Strong MS Office experience.
• Ability to travel up to 20%

PREFERRED SKILLS:

• PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent certification.
• Previous experience in the education industry and/or e-learning technologies.
• Background in content/knowledge management, digital asset management, content marketing, and education-related technologies.
• Basic HTML coding knowledge is a plus.
• Foreign languages a plus.