Events Manager

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