National Conference Manager

Jobs With Justice is a national network of local coalitions of labor unions, community, faith-based, worker centers, and student organizations. We fight inequality by driving strategies that expand the theater in which workers can bargain for improved standards. The national office provides strategic support to nearly 40 locally autonomous coalitions around the country, networks coalitions on common issues, and develops national programs that increase the impact of local organizing. By bringing together labor, community, student and faith voices at the national and local levels, we are creating innovative solutions to the problems workers face today. We are the only organization of our kind leading strategic campaigns and shaping public discourse on every front to build power for working people. Jobs With Justice is committed to working nationally and locally on the ground and online. We win real change for workers by combining innovative communications strategies and solid research and policy advocacy with grassroots action and mobilization.

Position overview:

The National Conference Manager oversees internal infrastructure for planning JWJs national conference in 2026—managing staff and partners to ensure our goals are met, all while consistently interfacing with staff, affiliates, partners and most frequently with the executive leadership. The National Conference Manager is accountable to and supervised by the Deputy Director of Institutional Advancement.

This is a full-time project staff position, ending six weeks after the completion of the national conference. The anticipated timeline is one year.

The National Conference Manager:

• Is accountable for building out and overseeing the master plan for the national conference
• Oversees backwards planning to ensure successful implementation of conference plans.
• Develop systems to track program goals and deliverables.
• Organize staff and affiliate leaders to meet set goals.
• Coordinates with external contractors and partners to maintain appropriate feedback loops.
• Integrates special conference projects that emerge, working with the Executive Department.
• Catalyzes interventions from executive leadership to ensure the process moves successfully forward.

Detailed areas of work include:

Project Management:

• Establish conference planning infrastructure.
• Train/Brief staff on conference planning systems, working with the operations director to ensure appropriate staff access.
• Coordinate directly with conference firm (Caspian) to triage logistical needs, travel, production and ensure decisions are made in a timely manner.
• Works with the Executive Leadership to set and manage complex and rapidly changing daily, weekly, and longer-term strategic priorities related to the conference.
• Oversees and coordinates planning of overall conference program, creating systems and supports for staff who are leading on program elements.
• Coordinates with the Communications Department in generating conference promotion and branding.
• Works with the Membership and Leadership department to assess affiliate travel needs, acting as a liaison between local coalitions, the M/L Department and the conference firm.
• Serves as the primary contact at JWJ for external questions/requests related to the national conference.
• Tracks conference spending to ensure we stay within our budget, working with the Finance Department.
• Communicates regularly with staff and core partners to maximize success.
• Support the planning and implementation of potential pre-conference events to build momentum towards the final event.
• Troubleshoot conflicts, challenges that could get in the way of success.

Administrative support:

• Conducts additional administrative support such as record keeping, preparation of receipts and reimbursement requests, filing and data support as related to the national conference.
• Compiles wrap-up documentation, including videos, notes, press and other conference related materials to store on the organization’s shared drives.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience planning and managing large-scale conferences or convenings
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including the ability to work both in groups and individually to meet goals and to develop strong working relationships with internal staff and external constituents.
• High degree of motivation and self-discipline with a strong work ethic.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including proof reading and editing.
• Demonstrates sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Very detail oriented and accurate in carrying out work.
• Able to juggle many responsibilities and shifting priorities.
• A good and professional communicator able to manage complex relationships.
• A strong problem solver who takes initiative in resolving challenges, asking for help and suggesting ideas for achieving our goals.
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to succeed with a high volume of work.
• Solid computer skills and affinity for using technology to create efficiencies.
• Team player who can create strong relationships with co-workers.
• Track record of getting things done well and on time.

Signs we are on track:

• Staff are meeting deadlines and communicating progress via channels the conference manager has established
• Requests are consistently triaged via the conference manager and delegated to appropriate staff and/or partners
• Staff, affiliates and partners have what they need to meet their conference-related obligations and/or know how to access it
• Conference registrations come in consistently from recruitment/promotion within the JWJ network and among the membership bases of partnering organizations; the hotel block is filled
• The National Conference Manager anticipates and initiates calls, meetings, preparation, and the work necessary for a successful conference.
• The Executive Department has regular, well-planned meetings with clear follow-up related to the conference.

Location: This is a remote position based in the United States, with the option to work out of our Washington, D.C. office. Eastern or Central time zone work hours are required.

Physical Demands: Work is performed in a remote office setting with some travel required for in-person meetings or events. This role involves a long period of computer work. This position requires the ability to communicate with colleagues and partners via phone, video conferencing, email and other platforms.

Salary: $80,405-$84,005

Benefits: Generous benefits package that includes paid vacation, medical, dental, and retirement benefits.

This is a union-represented position represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, CWA.

How to Apply:

Submit your

resume, cover letter, relevant writing/digital samples and references to

denise@jwj.org. For references, please include a former supervisor. If you are applying for a management position, also include a person you formerly supervised.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please follow the job application instructions specific to the position you are applying for. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls or direct solicitations please.

Jobs With Justice Education Fund is an affirmative action employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, l/g/b/t/q individuals, those with disabilities, and those with working class backgrounds to apply. Frequently cited statistics show that people of color, women, trans, and non-binary people, as well as other structurally marginalized groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. JWJ encourages you to break that statistic and to apply. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications.

If you need accommodation at any stage of the process, please indicate on the application or contact our Human Resources team at hr@jwj.org with the Subject Line: Accommodation Request for Job Applicant.