{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"3a0e3224929da8724408aeb9","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3a0e3224929da8724408aeb9","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3a0e3224929da8724408aeb9","title":"Program Manager","description":"Are you passionate about science and want a part in helping to promote the advancement of scientists and scientific ideas? Do you want to work in a dynamic and fast-paced Meetings and Exhibits environment, but don’t care for planning logistics? Do you like to travel domestically and internationally? Then perhaps the Optica Program Manager position is right for you.The Program Manager works directly with volunteer chairs and committee members to organize the technical program for roughly four Optica conferences and meetings a year. The Program Manager works with experts in the field to invite leaders (including Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and similar prize winners) as speakers or committee members developing scientific programs. In addition, they are responsible for managing submissions for the meeting, launching and monitoring peer review for submitted papers and managing the final schedule of the meeting. They are detail-oriented in their execution of conference paper receipt, review and publication processes.Primary ResponsibilitiesCommittee / Volunteer Management (OPCs, Topicals, and Conferences)Serves as primary liaison between Optica and program committee, confirming participation, roles and responsibilities and joint management tools/resourcesSchedules and drafts agendas for topical meeting kick off calls, and other calls to ensure the planning timeline, metrics and deliverables of the programDistributes notes and action items after calls and follows up, as needed, with appropriate staff to close out items.Confirms meeting scope and topics and updates the website accordinglyConfirms committee chairs and members, ensuring appropriate approvals, and updating membership lists across all platformsMaintains meeting outline to capture culture (and requested changes) per topical for future referenceResponds promptly to committee requests and concernsSpeaker and Submission ManagementConfigures submission site based on committee feedbackUpdates meeting website with submission and copyright information Maintains invited speaker lists across all platformsEnforces deadlines with speakers and authors to ensure adherence to meeting timetablesPrepares reports on submission numbers and speakersResponds to customer service inquiries from authorsProgram Development SupportManages the peer review process, assigning reviewers, preparing reviewer instructions, and processing submitted papersManages sessioning process (whether in person, hybrid or virtual), including instructions and preparation of materialsInvites, tracks and confirms session chairs (presiders)Notifies all authors of decision and presentation detailsPublications ManagementGenerates agenda of sessions and session guideServes as main contact with Program Typesetter (for any print programs) and communicates program edits when necessary to ensure a quality programRegisters ISBN for Technical Digest through BookerStamps papers and performs quality check against approved standards in advance of publicationCreates ZIP files and posts digest papers for early access on the Optica Publishing Group PlatformManages program changes (e.g. withdrawn and no shows)Manages the Quality Assurance of presented papers for publishing and archiving on the Optica Publishing Group PlatformEducation And ExperienceFour-year college degree requiredTwo or more years of meeting program and/or volunteer (subject matter experts) experience preferredAssociation experience preferredSkills And AbilitiesStrong oral and written communication skillsAbility to meet multiple deadlines, coordinate details, and work independentlyProficiency in Microsoft Office software and database applications, particularly web-based peer review systemsAttention to detail requiredExcellent customer service skillsJoin Us In Making a DifferenceOptica offers competitive salaries and great benefits, including performance bonuses, health, vision, dental, life insurance, flexible spending, short- and long-term disability, wellness benefits, 403(b) retirement plans with 10% employer contribution, pet benefits, PTO, paid holidays, and paid year-end break between 25 December through 1 January.Our office is conveniently located across from Dupont Circle metro station. We offer a hybrid work schedule and remote work for certain positions. To learn more about Optica and the open positions visit us at: about/optics (äp-tiks) noun. The branch of physics concerned with the behavior and property of light, including interactions of light with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect light.photonics (f-tä-niks) noun. The engineering and technology of generating and controlling light. Photonics underpins the technologies of daily life, from smartphones to laptops, medical instruments, light technology, and even the Internet. The 21st century will depend as much on photonics as the 20th century depended on electronics.Apply now and help transform the future through optics and photonics.Send Resume, Cover Letter, And Salary Requirements To .PandoLogic. Category:Executive, Keywords:Program Manager, Location:Washington, DC-20036","company":"Optica","rawCompany":"optica","city":"Washington","state":"DC","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-04-12T16:31:37.456Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"13-1121.00","title":"Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners","slug":"meeting-convention-and-event-planners"},{"code":"11-9121.00","title":"Natural Sciences Managers","slug":"natural-sciences-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"813410","title":"Civic and Social Organizations","slug":"civic-and-social-organizations"},{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"561920","title":"Convention and Trade Show Organizers","slug":"convention-and-trade-show-organizers"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Program Manager","description":"Are you passionate about science and want a part in helping to promote the advancement of scientists and scientific ideas? Do you want to work in a dynamic and fast-paced Meetings and Exhibits environment, but don’t care for planning logistics? Do you like to travel domestically and internationally? Then perhaps the Optica Program Manager position is right for you.The Program Manager works directly with volunteer chairs and committee members to organize the technical program for roughly four Optica conferences and meetings a year. The Program Manager works with experts in the field to invite leaders (including Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and similar prize winners) as speakers or committee members developing scientific programs. In addition, they are responsible for managing submissions for the meeting, launching and monitoring peer review for submitted papers and managing the final schedule of the meeting. They are detail-oriented in their execution of conference paper receipt, review and publication processes.Primary ResponsibilitiesCommittee / Volunteer Management (OPCs, Topicals, and Conferences)Serves as primary liaison between Optica and program committee, confirming participation, roles and responsibilities and joint management tools/resourcesSchedules and drafts agendas for topical meeting kick off calls, and other calls to ensure the planning timeline, metrics and deliverables of the programDistributes notes and action items after calls and follows up, as needed, with appropriate staff to close out items.Confirms meeting scope and topics and updates the website accordinglyConfirms committee chairs and members, ensuring appropriate approvals, and updating membership lists across all platformsMaintains meeting outline to capture culture (and requested changes) per topical for future referenceResponds promptly to committee requests and concernsSpeaker and Submission ManagementConfigures submission site based on committee feedbackUpdates meeting website with submission and copyright information Maintains invited speaker lists across all platformsEnforces deadlines with speakers and authors to ensure adherence to meeting timetablesPrepares reports on submission numbers and speakersResponds to customer service inquiries from authorsProgram Development SupportManages the peer review process, assigning reviewers, preparing reviewer instructions, and processing submitted papersManages sessioning process (whether in person, hybrid or virtual), including instructions and preparation of materialsInvites, tracks and confirms session chairs (presiders)Notifies all authors of decision and presentation detailsPublications ManagementGenerates agenda of sessions and session guideServes as main contact with Program Typesetter (for any print programs) and communicates program edits when necessary to ensure a quality programRegisters ISBN for Technical Digest through BookerStamps papers and performs quality check against approved standards in advance of publicationCreates ZIP files and posts digest papers for early access on the Optica Publishing Group PlatformManages program changes (e.g. withdrawn and no shows)Manages the Quality Assurance of presented papers for publishing and archiving on the Optica Publishing Group PlatformEducation And ExperienceFour-year college degree requiredTwo or more years of meeting program and/or volunteer (subject matter experts) experience preferredAssociation experience preferredSkills And AbilitiesStrong oral and written communication skillsAbility to meet multiple deadlines, coordinate details, and work independentlyProficiency in Microsoft Office software and database applications, particularly web-based peer review systemsAttention to detail requiredExcellent customer service skillsJoin Us In Making a DifferenceOptica offers competitive salaries and great benefits, including performance bonuses, health, vision, dental, life insurance, flexible spending, short- and long-term disability, wellness benefits, 403(b) retirement plans with 10% employer contribution, pet benefits, PTO, paid holidays, and paid year-end break between 25 December through 1 January.Our office is conveniently located across from Dupont Circle metro station. We offer a hybrid work schedule and remote work for certain positions. To learn more about Optica and the open positions visit us at: about/optics (äp-tiks) noun. The branch of physics concerned with the behavior and property of light, including interactions of light with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect light.photonics (f-tä-niks) noun. The engineering and technology of generating and controlling light. Photonics underpins the technologies of daily life, from smartphones to laptops, medical instruments, light technology, and even the Internet. The 21st century will depend as much on photonics as the 20th century depended on electronics.Apply now and help transform the future through optics and photonics.Send Resume, Cover Letter, And Salary Requirements To .PandoLogic. Category:Executive, Keywords:Program Manager, Location:Washington, DC-20036","datePosted":"2026-04-12T16:31:37.456Z","dateModified":"2026-04-12T16:31:37.456Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Optica","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Washington","addressRegion":"DC","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"3a0e3224929da8724408aeb9"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3a0e3224929da8724408aeb9"}}