Strategic Events Manager

Okta•Chicago, IL

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

Okta is seeking a highly motivated and seasoned events professional to join our Strategic Events team. This role sits on the event content operations team, specifically supporting the production of Okta’s high-profile keynote stages—our primary platform for sharing our vision of securing Agentic AI. You will act as a key producer and strategist, connecting identity security vision with mainstage execution through partnership with product marketing, executive comms, creative, and executive leadership. Beyond the mainstage, you are a versatile team member, responsible for leading critical projects across our entire event portfolio—from go-to-market events like Sales Kick-off to our annual user conference Oktane, and specialized customer engagements. About the Team This is an amazing opportunity to be part of Okta’s Keynote Production and Content Operations team, which is part of the Strategic Event & Experiences team.

Requirements

Experience: 7+ years in event management or live production, with a focus on mainstage or keynote experiences in the technology sector.
Location: Based in Seattle or Chicago metro areas with the ability to work in a hybrid office environment.
Travel: Ability to travel to 4-6 events a year.

Nice To Haves

You’re passionate and excited about events.
You’re excited to stretch your skills across logistics, creative strategy, and project management.
You possess a relentless sense of urgency.
You’re all about finding efficiencies that save time and elevate the output.
You bring creative, actionable solutions to the table when roadblocks arise.
You’re successful at building rapport with a diverse group of stakeholders
You anticipate needs and take action before being asked.
You thrive in high-visibility environments.
You remain calm and collected when the stakes are high.
It's a bonus if you’ve survived and thrived in an agency environment.

Responsibilities

Strategic Messaging Alignment: Partner with PMM and Comms to translate core messaging into a cohesive keynote experience that aligns with brand values and Okta’s vision.
Production Leadership: Leverage keynote best practices and innovative storytelling to bring messaging to life. Develop the end to end Keynote that ensures a consistent and intentional experience across all Okta events. Work with the team design team to manage all content - slides, films, and motion.
Workstream Management: Provide end-to-end oversight of keynote production workstreams, including complex timelines, staging concepts, run of show, technical deliverables, and continuity between live show, broadcast and post event.
Executive Management & Alignment: Serve as a primary production lead to ensure executives are properly prepared to deliver a consistent and impactful message on stage.
Format Innovation: Stay at the forefront of keynote trends, establishing best practices for live storytelling, design, speakers that challenge the status quo.
Cross-Functional Facilitation: Program manager to the content planning and strategy discussions across various teams (creative, film, talent, and messaging), ensuring all assets meet our security and brand guidelines. Ability to stretch beyond the Keynote workstream to manage aspects for our internal and external programs, and executive experiences as needed.
Operational Rigor: Establish processes that provide a high level of organization in a fast-paced environment.
Mission Integration: Educated on Okta’s core messaging to ensure all assigned workstreams reflect it consistently and reinforce our role as the leaders in securing agentic AI.
ROI & Impact Measurement: Collaborate with data teams to analyze the measurable impact of keynote experiences and leverage those insights to optimize future programs and maximize ROI.
Budget Accountability: Manage large-scale production budgets and external agency partners to ensure flawless execution and strategic resource allocation.