Head of Events

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, and Insight Venture Partners. And we serve some of the most innovative companies in the world such as Block, Anysphere (Cursor), MyFitnessPal, Etsy, Kick, and 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, and 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, while 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, or 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…