Senior Events Program Manager - Speaker Engagement and Content Curation (Global Events Team)

Semrush is a brand visibility platform, empowering marketers to command their online presence and create measurable impact. We unify SEO authority and AI visibility, so brands are found, cited, and chosen everywhere search happens.

About The Role

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to spearhead our events portfolio. The role includes content programming, speaker strategy, and program curation across multiple events.

What You’ll Own

Spotlight: Program Strategy & Content Curation

• Define and execute the conference program strategy across 15+ content tracks
• Curate session topics, angles, and descriptions that align with attendee expectations and industry trends across two keynote stages
• Manage the Advisory Board: facilitate topic ideation, speaker profile validation, content review sessions, and program strategy alignment with internal and external SMEs
• Own the content review process: brief speakers, coordinate draft submissions, provide structured feedback, and run final rehearsal calls before the event
• Oversee Mastermind sessions: develop facilitator toolkits, provide additional support to speakers, etc.
• Implement improvements based on attendee and speaker feedback data from previous editions

Cannes Lions: Semrush Programming & Activations

• Develop and execute the content strategy for Semrush’s presence at Cannes Lions, including hosted sessions, panels, fireside chats, and branded activations
• Source and secure speakers for those activations
• Coordinate with Semrush’s marketing and brand teams to ensure programming supports broader brand positioning and partnership goals at the festival
• Manage the end‑to‑end speaker experience at Cannes: outreach, briefings, content development, on‑site logistics coordination, and post‑event follow‑up

Broader Events Portfolio & Cross‑Event Strategy

• Manage speaker and content programming for Semrush’s participation in regional marketing events, partner conferences, and sponsored industry activations
• Maintain a centralized speaker database and pipeline across all events
• Coordinate with Semrush’s teams to ensure consistent thought leadership messaging across all external speaking engagements
• Support Semrush team members preparing for external speaking opportunities: deck review, messaging alignment, and rehearsal support
• Manage end‑to‑end speaker communications across the portfolio: outreach, negotiation, onboarding, briefings, technical requirements, and post‑event feedback collection
• Build and nurture long‑term relationships with speakers
• Coordinate with event producers and sponsorship managers on logistics and program while maintaining ownership of content quality and program fit
• Analyze attendee survey data and speaker feedback ratings across all events to inform programming decisions

About You

• 5+ years of experience in conference program management, content curation, or editorial leadership across multiple concurrent events
• Proven track record of scouting and securing high‑profile speakers from major global brands for both owned events and third‑party conference appearances
• Deep knowledge of the digital marketing ecosystem: SEO, content marketing, social media, AI/martech, performance marketing, brand strategy, and creative advertising
• Experience with the Cannes Lions ecosystem or similar tier‑1 creative/marketing festivals – understanding the audience, the format expectations, and the speaker caliber required
• Familiarity with the search marketing conference circuit (SMX, BrightonSEO, MozCon, or similar) and the key players in the SEO/SEM speaking community
• Experience managing Advisory Boards or editorial committees for event programming
• Strong editorial judgment: you can review a keynote deck and identify gaps in logic, structure, audience fit, and storytelling
• Excellent relationship‑building skills with C‑level executives, marketing leaders, and industry influencers
• Outstanding organizational skills: you thrive managing 100+ speaker relationships simultaneously across multiple events while maintaining content quality standards
• Experience building and implementing AI workflows to streamline, automate, and speed up the management process

Nice to Have

• Previous experience with Semrush tools or familiarity with the Semrush brand and community
• Existing network within both the search marketing and creative/brand marketing conference circuits
• Experience programming content for both technical SEO/marketing audiences and C‑suite/brand leadership audiences
• Experience with event management platforms and scheduling apps (Brella, Swapcard, or similar)

About The Perks

• Unlimited PTO
• Hobby and team building budget allowance
• Employee Support Program
• Loss of family member financial aid
• Employee Resource Groups

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Commitments

Semrush is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels a sense of belonging in the workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or medical condition including medical characteristics, genetic identity, marital status, military service, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.