Relationship Lead

About PacktPackt is a leading publisher of technical learning content with the ability to publish books on new and emerging tech faster than any other publisher in the world. We believe that software has a deep impact on the world, and that software runs on knowledge. Our mission is to increase the shared value of deep tech knowledge. We are tech content engineers and we work with some of the most interesting technical minds and ground-breaking creators on the planet. For more details, see www.packt.comRole Overview Note: This role is advertised as “Portfolio Manager”, however, the official title on employment documents will be “Relationship Lead.”As a Portfolio Manager/ Relationship Lead for Tech Conferences, Workshops & Live Sessions, you will own and grow Packt’s live technical engagement portfolio by managing relationships with technology experts, shaping practitioner-focused event experiences, and ensuring the successful design and delivery of impactful technical sessions. This role emphasizes expert experience, credibility within developer and technology communities, and strong understanding of modern tech ecosystems rather than traditional event operations. You’ll ensure the right engineers, architects, researchers, and technical leaders are onboarded, supported, and empowered to deliver high-value live events that strengthen Packt’s influence within the technology landscape. What You’ll Do Portfolio Ownership & Growth Manage and expand Packt’s portfolio of tech-focused live events, aligning programming with category strategy, technical audience needs, and emerging trends across software, data, AI, cloud, DevOps, and related domains. Shape the vision for each technical session balancing expert strengths, practitioner expectations, and Packt’s strategic technology priorities. Identify new technical themes, formats, and engagement opportunities that keep Packt’s live events relevant and ahead of market demand. Make commissioning decisions that optimize both technical credibility and long-term audience impact. High-Profile Expert AcquisitionIdentify and secure top-tier technologists—engineers, architects, CTOs, researchers, maintainers, open-source contributors, and industry innovators. Craft propositions that align with a technical expert’s brand and ambitions while showcasing Packt’s credibility. Negotiate participation terms and ensure experts are onboarded effectively. Build a visible network of high-profile technology experts that elevates Packt. Expert & Speaker Experience Serve as the trusted counterpart for technical speakers clarifying scope, technical depth, and audience expectations. Build long-term relationships with technologists for repeat participation. Ensure speakers have platforms and tools for impactful technical workshops, demos, AMAs, and conference-style sessions. Support expert amplification by connecting them with practitioner communities. Community & Ecosystem Engagement Engage with developer and technology ecosystems (GitHub, Reddit, Stack Overflow, Discord, YouTube tech channels, conferences). Collaborate with influencers, maintainers, and community leaders. Support initiatives such as panels, AMAs, coding workshops, and tech webinars. Feed technology-driven insights back into programming. Market & Product Insight Maintain awareness of technology trends and practitioner needs. Translate industry intelligence into strong technical event strategies. Collaborate with marketing, design, and operations. Act as the product owner of your technical events portfolio. What You’ll Bring (Skills & Competencies)Relationship Builder: Ability to form strong, trusted partnerships with experts, speakers, and communities. Program Mindset: Skilled at defining event vision and shaping sessions for maximum audience impact. Acquisition Strength: Proven ability to attract and negotiate with high-profile speakers. Audience & Market Acumen: Strong ability to identify relevant themes and ensure live sessions resonate with practitioner audiences. Community Knowledge: Familiar with developer ecosystems and the channels that drive live engagement. Strategic & Organized: Capable of managing an event pipeline, prioritizing effectively, and aligning programs with Packt’s goals. Success Metrics (First 6–12 Months) Build and maintain a high-value pipeline of technical expert speakers aligned with Packt’s event strategy. Deliver a portfolio of tech-focused high-impact events that demonstrate category relevance and program design excellence. Acquire high-profile technologists that elevate Packt’s credibility and audience reach. Achieve strong speaker satisfaction and retention through thoughtful onboarding and support. Drive developer community visibility and audience engagement through authentic amplification and ecosystem integration. Show measurable portfolio impact across attendance, engagement metrics, and brand positioning. Who Thrives in This RoleEvent/program managers focused on technical experiences.