Head of Events
Planetscale•2h ago
United StatesHybrid$100MFull-timeDirector Level10+ yrs exp
- PlanetScale is growing rapidly and reinventing the database space. Our database platform offers developers the fastest and most reliable Postgres and Vitess/MySQL databases, enabling businesses to efficiently handle data and workloads of all sizes.
- PlanetScale is backed with over $100M in venture financing from top-tier VCs including a16z, Kleiner Perkins, SignalFire
- Insight Venture Partners. And we serve some of the most innovative companies in the world such as Block, Anysphere (Cursor), MyFitnessPal, Etsy, Kick
- thousands more. Our customers entrust us with what is often their most precious digital asset, their data, so the stakes couldn’t be higher.
- We’re looking for a Head of Events to own the strategy and hands-on execution of high-impact experiences that connect developers, engineering leaders, customers, and the broader tech community with PlanetScale.
- What’s the job to be done?
- Own the end-to-end events strategy and portfolio for PlanetScale, spanning owned developer experiences, conference presence, sponsored/partnered events, executive dinners, pop-up activations, meetups, field programs
- hybrid/digital formats.
- Set the creative and experiential bar, bringing a strong point of view on design, storytelling, branding, and details so every touchpoint (booth, merch, venue, food, etc) reflects PlanetScale’s brand and stands out.
- Drive measurable outcomes in developer acquisition, product adoption, community growth, pipeline, and brand love. Define the metrics that matter and hold the program accountable to them.
- Build and manage a global events calendar. Evaluate, prioritize, and execute a disciplined portfolio of events.
- Own and manage the events budget with clear ROI frameworks, financial discipline, and the ability to reallocate based on performance data.
- Manage vendors, agencies, venues, AV, and creative partners; hold external partners to the same quality standard expected internally.
- Operate as a highly hands-on individual contributor while setting strategy. This is a lean role where you’ll both define the vision and drive the majority of the execution yourself
- building the foundation to grow the function over time.
- Innovate on format: bring fresh thinking beyond traditional conference booths (hackathons, build-alongs, intimate technical roundtables, hybrid experiences, unique activations, executive events).
- These attributes best describe you
- You have experience running or heavily contributing to events for developer or highly technical audiences, whether from an events, experiential marketing, field marketing
- Developer Relations background. You know what resonates with engineers and builders versus what feels like generic marketing.
- You have strong taste and creative vision. You can point to events you’re proud of and articulate why specific design, content, experience, and logistical choices mattered.
- You are both strategic and highly operational. You’re comfortable setting direction and then rolling up your sleeves to make it happen.
- You thrive in cross-functional, matrixed environments and can influence without pure authority across Sales, DevRel, Marketing, Brand, and leadership.
- You are comfortable with ambiguity, speed, and high ownership. PlanetScale moves fast. You bias toward action while protecting quality.
- You enjoy wearing multiple hats and are energized by a high-IC role rather than pure people management.
- What you will need
- 3+ years of experience in events, experiential marketing, field marketing, Developer Relations, or developer community roles, with meaningful ownership of strategy and execution.
- Experience working with developer, engineering, or technical audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to manage event budgets and deliver measurable results.
- Experience producing or significantly contributing to a mix of owned events, conference presence, executive/customer dinners, meetups, and field activations.
- Excellent project management, vendor management, and stakeholder management skills.
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently (often 30%+ depending on the calendar) to attend, oversee, and host events.
- Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to represent PlanetScale with polish and authenticity in high-stakes settings.
- This job requires you to work from our San Francisco office at least 3 days a week.
- What else will help you be successful
- Prior experience in developer tools, infrastructure, or databases.
- Background in Developer Relations or developer community building.
- Experience with hybrid or digital-first formats alongside in-person.
- Existing relationships in the developer conference and events ecosystem.
- Comfort creating or guiding technical storytelling and working closely with DevRel and Product on content and speakers.
- Why PlanetScale
- We’re redefining how high-growth companies manage data at scale
- we work with some of the most exciting brands in gaming, consumer tech, AI
- B2B SaaS. PlanetScale already has one of the strongest technical communities online. Engineers appreciate our technical content and love our product. What we haven't fully built yet is the real-world version of that
- as Head of Events, that vision is yours to own.
- PlanetScale is a profitable company with a philosophy centered around building small teams of p99 individuals and is recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in America.
- At PlanetScale we believe in supporting people to do their best work and thrive no matter the location. Our mission is to build a diverse, equitable
- inclusive company. We strive to build an inclusive environment where all people feel that they are equally respected and valued, whether they are a candidate or an employee. We welcome applicants of any educational background, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, citizenship, socioeconomic status, disability, pregnancy status
- If you have a disability, please let us know if there’s any way we can make the interview process better for you; we’re happy to accommodate!
- Total Compensation and Pay Transparency
- An employee’s total compensation consists of base salary + variable comp where appropriate + benefits + equity. A member of our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to answer any further questions when we engage with you to begin the interview process.
- Base
Required skills
PostgreSQLMySQL