Non Technical Program Manager

The Photonics Platforms Business (PPB) is a startup-style business unit within Applied Materials focused on pioneering nano-photonic technologies for next-generation augmented reality and AI-enabled smart glasses. PPB is building on Applied Materials’ leadership in materials engineering to design, manufacture, and scale photonic devices that help transform how people interact with technology.

Applied recently unveiled SENZ™, a fully integrated visual system for next-generation smart glasses.

We are seeking a Non-Technical Program Manager to help PPB scale its operating rhythm and external engagement model. This role will lead conference and event planning, coordinate advisor and customer meeting logistics, support business cadence reviews, and provide continuity for selected Chief of Staff and Administrative responsibilities.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, discreet, proactive, and comfortable working with senior leaders in a fast-moving environment. This person must be able to translate ambiguous needs into clear plans, manage stakeholders across functions, and ensure strong follow-through on actions, decisions, and operational priorities.

Lead conference and external engagement planning Drive event and meeting execution readiness Support advisor, customer, and partner meeting operations Support PPB leadership operating cadence Provide business operations and Chief of Staff support Provide backup executive administrative coverage Build scalable processes and repeatable playbooks

• Strong communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• High attention to detail and reliable follow-through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting timelines simultaneously.
• Comfortable operating under pressure and in a fast-moving environment.
• Strong meeting management, event planning, and operational coordination skills.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential information.

Demonstrates strong program management skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, stakeholders, and deadlines simultaneously. Applies knowledge of business operations, meeting management, event planning, stakeholder coordination, and executive support practices to drive effective execution. Builds repeatable processes, templates, and operating mechanisms that improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.

Understands how business cadence, leadership operating rhythms, external engagements, and internal execution processes support organizational priorities. Anticipates operational needs, identifies gaps in preparation or follow-up, and recommends practical improvements to improve event readiness, meeting effectiveness, and stakeholder alignment.

Leads cross-functional planning efforts for conferences, leadership meetings, advisor engagements, and operating reviews with limited supervision. Drives alignment by clarifying objectives, timelines, deliverables, owners, risks, and dependencies. Influences through structure, preparation, clear communication, and consistent follow-through.

Solves coordination and execution challenges involving multiple stakeholders, shifting priorities, tight timelines, and confidential information. Uses structured thinking to simplify ambiguous requests, convert them into actionable plans, identify risks early, and drive timely resolution.

Communicates clearly and professionally with senior leaders, cross-functional stakeholders, external partners, advisors, and administrative teams. Demonstrates discretion, judgment, and professionalism when handling confidential information, executive calendars, sensitive topics, and external-facing engagements. Comfortable pushing for clarity, ownership, deadlines, and decisions while maintaining a collaborative and service-oriented approach.

• 5+ years of experience in program management, business operations, executive operations, event planning, conference planning, Chief of Staff support, or related roles.
• Experience supporting senior leaders, executive staff, or high-priority business operations in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience planning and coordinating conferences, customer meetings, leadership events, advisor meetings, or cross-functional operating reviews.
• Strong meeting management skills, including agenda planning, pre-read coordination, note capture, action tracking, and follow-up management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise, executive-ready materials.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, and related collaboration tools.
• Experience working with legal, procurement, finance, communications, facilities, HR, vendors, budgets, purchase orders, invoicing, or attendee communications is a plus.