Conference Program Director

PURPOSE:

Build and lead a best-in-class conference program for a new flagship initiative serving the digital infrastructure ecosystem spanning data centers AI-enabled compute and enterprise/edge architectures. The role combines content leadership with senior industry engagement to develop a program that is technically credible commercially impactful and operationally excellent.

WHO WE ARE:

At CloserStill we strive to deliver the best. Were on a mission to be the most dynamic B2B events and communities business in every market we serve bringing people together to learn connect and grow.

Operating across five regions we power over 200 market-leading events publications and brands across Business Technologies Healthcare Learning HR & Education and Future Transport & Infrastructure.

But what truly sets us apart is our people.

Our teams are diverse driven and united by a shared commitment to excellence. Rooted in our core values of ownership empathy teamwork integrity and determination we empower every employee to grow shape their own path and make a meaningful impact.

Joining CloserStill means being part of something bigger - not just building events but creating opportunities connections and lasting value for the communities we serve.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

You will own the end-to-end program strategy and delivery for a new digital-infrastructure conference brand. Youll curate themes recruit senior speakers and forge high-value industry relationships across operators end users and solution providers. Youll work cross-functionally with sales marketing and operations to ensure the program drives audience quality partner value and this role you will report to the Event Lead.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Program Strategy & Thought Leadership

• Define the annual program thesis and content pillars across topics such as next-gen compute and networking facilities & power management sustainability automation AI/ML workloads IT/OT integration and edge architectures.
• Design multi-track agendas and diverse formats (keynotes panels technical deep-dives workshops roundtables exec dialogues) that serve both strategic and practitioner audiences.
• Establish an Industry Advisory Board representing operators enterprises service providers and technology leaders to ensure market relevance and quality.

2) Speaker & Community Development

• Build and manage a senior speaker roster across end users (enterprise colo/telco elite operators) technology vendors (compute networking storage power/cooling software) integrators/ODMs and investors.
• Lead structured outreach and relationship programs with key companies to secure A-list speakers and moderators; maintain a balanced pipeline of established leaders and emerging voices.
• Serve as an external ambassador for the program at industry meetups partner events and online communities.

3) Commercial Alignment & Audience Growth

• Partner with commercial leads to translate program themes into value-backed opportunities (e.g. thought-leadership packages showcases workshops hosted buyer/meet-the-expert project theaters).
• Collaborate with marketing on positioning agenda storytelling and data-driven audience acquisition for target roles (infrastructure architecture operations facilities procurement) across enterprises colos telcos and cloud-adjacent players.
• Use post-event analytics and attendee feedback to iterate agendas and inform year-round content/community activities.

4) Program Operations & Delivery

• Own program timelines budgets and quality standards; produce run-of-show speaker briefings and on-site moderation plans.
• Coordinate with production/ops on room specs AV recording and accessibility; ensure excellent on-site experience for speakers and attendees.
• Measure program performance (NPS session fill seniority mix engagement) and report insights with clear actions.

5) Industry Relations

• Develop strategic relationships with standards bodies open-hardware/software communities regional associations and user groups; explore co-created sessions and project workshops that complement our program.
• Maintain a landscape view of adjacent events and media to support smart scheduling positioning and collaboration.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Weighting: Sector expertise and industry relationships are prioritized over prior event/conference experience; event experience is an advantage not a requirement.

Sector fluency: Deep understanding of the digital-infrastructure stack (data centers and power/cooling; compute/network/storage hardware; cloud/AI/edge architectures) and the business/operational drivers for operators and end users.

Program/content leadership (advantageous): Experience building conference agendas or content strategies in complex B2B technology domains; preferred not required; experience convening senior stakeholders and moderating high-stakes discussions.

Network: Established relationships across operators enterprises solution providers and integrators; credibility with engineering and business audiences.

Commercial acumen: Able to align content with partner value and audience needs; comfortable collaborating on sponsorable content constructs without compromising editorial standards.

Execution excellence: Strong project management communication and stakeholder skills; thrives under deadline pressure and handles multiple workstreams.

Nice to have: Experience with advisory boards hosted-buyer or matchmaking programs; familiarity with community-driven open-ecosystem initiatives.

WHAT WE OFFER

• This role offers a competitive salary of $130K
• Competitive 401(k) match comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage and a generous vacation package.
• Opportunity to shape a flagship brand at the heart of a rapidly scaling market.
• A collaborative high-performance culture with strong executive sponsorshiP.

CloserStill Media reserves the right to request a DBS or credit check should the role require it.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:

CloserStill Media embrace diversity in all its forms and are committed to continuing to develop a diverse and inclusive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment based on merit without attention to age ethnicity religion or beliefs sexual orientation gender identity family or parental status or disability status.