Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands.
We’re looking to hire a Conference Program Coordinator for a financial services client. You bring a strong background in event programming, production, and sponsorship coordination, with a preference for those familiar with university ecosystems, including technology incubators and innovation ventures. You deeply understand various funding mechanisms and are passionate about shaping the future workforce while addressing energy and climate challenges.
In this role, you will collaborate with a cross-functional, matrixed team that includes professionals from several teams, alongside senior executives, industry leaders, academic experts, and administrators. You’ll thrive in a fast-paced, agile, and deadline-driven environment.
This is an approximately four-month project opportunity. It is open to candidates located in Houston, TX, or Englewood, CO, and is a hybrid position working twice a week in the office and three times a week remotely.
Conference Program Coordinator Responsibilities:
- Lead the development of a program for the conference by conducting research and working with stakeholders to foster industry-academia partnerships that advance talent and technology
- Collaborate with the team to design and manage program sessions, including speaker invitations and coordination across Pods, Lyceums, and other formats
- Maintain a comprehensive database of speakers and presenters, highlighting academic innovation and industry-academia collaborations
- Coordinate partner nominations and align faculty research with funding opportunities
- Ensure a seamless experience for the program speakers and presenters, managing their onboarding and administration
- Support flawless program execution, including on-site staffing and logistics
- Partner with marketing and media teams to effectively promote program participants and their contributions
Conference Program Coordinator Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field preferred
- Ability to be in Houston, TX, before and during the conference in March 2025 (approximately 10 days)
- Expertise in energy, technology, innovation, or academia is preferred
- Ability to thrive in a high-demand, creative environment
- Excellent client-facing communication skills (written, oral, and presentation)
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask and adapt to tight deadlines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with cloud-based event platforms such as Monday.com, Airtable, and RainFocus