Ascend Overview

Who We Are

Ascend is the largest Pan-Asian business professional membership organization in North America. Together with the Ascend Foundation, our mission is to drive workplace and societal impact by developing and elevating all Pan-Asian professionals and empowering them to become catalysts for change.

What We Do

Ascend offers impactful career lifecycle and cross-industry leadership programs and networks that foster community and engagement for Pan-Asian business professionals and students, corporate partners, and the community at large. Our programs are informed by the work of the Ascend Foundation which conducts research, thought leadership and advocacy.

Manager, Programs & Speakers

The Opportunity

Ascend seeks a dynamic and experienced program manager to join our growing programs team to conceptualize, design and deliver cutting-edge and impactful in person and virtual programs for our professional members. This role reports to the Sr. Director of Programs.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop program concepts informed by market research and member insights

  • Manage member surveys for program insights

  • Suggest relevant presenters/speakers for existing and new programs and manage incoming speaker interest for Ascend-wide programs and events

  • Manage end-to-end speaker operations including but not limited to: preparation of speaker invitations, confirmation letters, speaker intake form, speaker prep materials, scheduling of speaker prep call

  • Manage end-to-end program run of show and provide inputs into all production aspects of each program

  • Partner with the marketing team to build a comprehensive plan for program promotion to target audience (mass email, social media, chapters, etc.)

  • Manage database of speakers and program concepts/ideas

  • Ensure currency of program and speaker engagement guidelines

  • Coordinate with corporate (including employee/business resource/affinity groups), and community partners for program partnership opportunities

  • Coordinate with the finance team for programs that are sponsored

  • Liaise with chapter leadership and assist program development and presentation to ensure consistency 

  • Liaise with vendors such as event planner, videographer, photographer for programs where relevant 

  • Manage Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credit administration for relevant programs

Candidate Profile

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent meaningful professional experience

  • 5+ years of relevant professional experience

  • Demonstrated success in program management

  • Experience planning and organizing in-person and virtual events/conferences

  • Proficient skills using Microsoft / Google office software/tools (spreadsheet, presentation, database, etc.); familiarity with Adobe suite and InDesign a plus

  • Strong interpersonal communication (written and verbal) and customer relationship skills

  • Experience working with business professionals

  • Private sector experience desired

  • Self-starter and creative thinker

  • Excellent attention to detail and ability to consistently produce timely and accurate work

  • Skilled collaborator and ability to work as an effective team member

  • Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work, at all times

  • Positive personal attitude that includes bias towards action, a willingness to adapt to changing situations, and having a good sense of humor

  • An entrepreneurial spirit, with the ability to embrace opportunity and overcome challenges

Employment Details

  • Full Time, Salary/Exempt position, starting salary is 80,000-90,000

  • Generous benefit program including 100% employer paid Medical/Dental and Vision insurance.

  • Ascend is a remote organization with a highly collaborative geographically distributed team. This position will be based remotely in one of the states listed: CA, CT, FL IL, MN, NJ, NY, TX.

  • Requires occasional weekend, off-hours, or evening work

  • Occasional travel to support and attend events outside of regular business hours (typically no more than 5%).

This is a new position at Ascend, and we've done our best to articulate what qualifications will set an individual up for success.  Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often only apply to jobs if they meet all of the qualifications.  If you do not meet 100% of the qualifications but can picture yourself thriving in this role, we encourage you to break that statistic and to apply. Our work and mission are profoundly strengthened by the diversity of our network.  We welcome interest from individuals of all backgrounds and levels of experience who share our mission. 

Our team is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible work environment.  We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.  Ascend participates in E-Verify.