Annual Confrence Chair| OCRA

Annual Conference Chair (Volunteer Position)

Company Description

The Orange County Regulatory Affairs (OCRA-DG) is a nonprofit organization based in Orange County, California. Operated by dedicated volunteers, OCRA-DG provides educational programs, professional development, and networking opportunities for individuals working in regulatory affairs and the life science industry. The organization supports professionals across medical devices, pharmaceuticals, in vitro diagnostics, and biological products throughout the West Coast and beyond, fostering collaboration, industry education, and professional growth within the regulatory and medtech community.

Role Description

The Annual Conference Chair is a volunteer leadership position responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of OCRA-DG’s flagship Annual Conference. This highly visible role works closely with the OCRA Board, committee members, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, and external partners to deliver a high-quality educational and networking experience for the life science community.

This is an unpaid volunteer role based in Tustin, California, requiring strong collaboration, organization, and leadership skills. The Chair oversees all aspects of conference development and execution, including venue selection, educational programming, sponsorship coordination, budgeting, marketing strategy, volunteer management, scheduling, logistics, and on-site operations.

The Annual Conference Chair plays a critical role in advancing OCRA’s mission by creating meaningful educational opportunities, strengthening industry engagement, and fostering professional connections across the regulatory affairs and life science sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of the annual conference, including venue selection, program development, scheduling, logistics, and on-site execution.
• Lead and coordinate the Conference Committee, delegating responsibilities effectively and ensuring project timelines and deliverables are met.
• Partner with the OCRA Treasurer to develop, monitor, and manage the conference budget and overall financial performance.
• Collaborate with Educational Program Directors to secure high-caliber speakers and deliver a compelling educational agenda.
• Work alongside the Marketing Director to develop and execute promotional and attendee engagement strategies.
• Coordinate with the Strategic Partner Director to secure sponsorships, exhibitors, and strategic partnerships.
• Partner with the Community Event Director and Membership Director to recruit, train, and manage volunteers supporting the conference.
• Maintain vendor relationships and oversee conference-related logistics and coordination.
• Monitor planning progress, identify risks, solve problems proactively, and help ensure a seamless attendee experience throughout all phases of the event.

Qualifications

• Experience in event planning, project management, operations, or large-scale program coordination preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing needs, and lead cross-functional teams effectively.
• Knowledge of regulatory affairs and the life science industries, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biologics preferred.
• Experience with sponsorship development, vendor coordination, community engagement, or nonprofit leadership is a plus.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with industry experts, sponsors, volunteers, and organizational leadership.
• Experience developing marketing or promotional strategies for educational or professional events preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• Familiarity with nonprofit organizations, volunteer-led associations, or professional societies is highly valued.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• Passion for advancing educational and networking opportunities within the life science and regulatory affairs community.
• Commitment to leadership development and creating meaningful volunteer engagement experiences.
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution skills.
• Collaborative, professional, and mission-driven leadership style.
• Ability to represent OCRA-DG professionally within the broader medtech and regulatory ecosystem.

This volunteer leadership opportunity offers valuable professional visibility, networking, and executive-level organizational experience while helping shape one of Southern California’s premier regulatory and life science events.