Manager, Industry Partnerships & Sponsorships

A DC-based association management company is looking for a versatile, proactive and results-driven business development professional to grow non-dues revenue through sponsorships, exhibit booth sales, advertising, as well as membership development and strategic partnership opportunities across client-associations programs and events.

This role is responsible for identifying prospects, building relationships, developing customized packages, and closing revenue opportunities that support conferences, publications, webinars, digital marketing, and year-round engagement initiatives.

As a boutique association management company, we highly value individuals with broad skillsets and the mindset to adjust their responsibilities based on the needs of our clients. If you are flexible and able to handle multiple assignments and projects simultaneously, and can work both independently and collaboratively across internal departments in a fast-paced environment – you are invited to apply!

Key Responsibilities

Sponsorship & Partnership Sales

• Develop and execute sales strategies to achieve sponsorship and partnership revenue goals.
• Prospect, qualify, and secure sponsors for conferences, webinars, educational programs, awards, networking events, and year-round initiatives.
• Create customized sponsorship proposals aligned with prospect marketing objectives.
• Manage the full sales cycle from outreach through contract execution and renewal.
• Maintain sponsor relationships and identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities.
• Prepare sales collateral, sponsorship prospectuses, media kits, and outreach materials.
• Assist in developing sponsorship prospectuses, media kits, and sales collateral.

Exhibit & Event Revenue Development

• Sell exhibit booth packages for conferences, expos, annual meetings, and trade shows.
• Recruit new exhibitors while maintaining and expanding existing exhibitor relationships.
• Coordinate booth assignments and ensure sponsor/exhibitor deliverables are fulfilled.
• Support exhibitor retention and post-event renewal campaigns.

Advertising Sales

• Generate advertising revenue for association magazines, newsletters, websites, digital campaigns, directories, and event programs.
• Develop integrated marketing opportunities combining print, digital, and event exposure.
• Track inventory and maximize advertising utilization.

Business Development & Account Management

• Active participation in the annual membership renewals campaign to include emails, calls, etc.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospects and strategic partners.
• Coordinate with internal teams on invoicing, contracts, and sponsor deliverables.
• Conduct outreach through email, phone, networking, and industry events.
• Research target industries and identify growth opportunities.
• Prepare proposals, pricing, agreements, and sales presentations.
• Monitor market trends and competitor offerings.

Reporting & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate CRM records, forecasts, and sales activity reports.
• Track revenue performance against goals and provide regular updates.
• Collaborate with marketing and event teams on promotional campaigns and sponsor fulfillment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Event Management, or related field preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in sponsorship sales, exhibit sales, advertising sales, business development, or association sales.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to company’s “Members Come First” motto.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work effectively yet remain flexible in order to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Excellent time-management, prioritizing, problem prevention and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and projects simultaneously and work independently as well as a collaborative environment across internal departments in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to work across internal departments is a must. Work as a team toward achieving individual, company’s, and client’ annual business plan and budget goals.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time per year.
• Motivation to succeed, outgoing and friendly personality.

Required Technical Skills

• Some proficiency with email marketing software (MailChimp, Constant Contact, etc.).
• Some proficiency with WordPress-based websites.
• Some proficiency with webinar management platforms (Zoom/Teams) and event registration systems.
• Some proficiency with Google Ads/LinkedIn Ads.
• Basic graphic design skills (Canva or Adobe Creative Suite).
• Basic knowledge of CRM and membership database (iMIS, YourMembership, etc.).
• Basic knowledge of YouTube, Vimeo, SurveyMonkey, Doodle Poll, Asana, and Slack.

Preferred

• Trade association, conference, publishing, media, or nonprofit association experience.
• Experience selling conference sponsorships and exhibit booths.

Company benefits include:

• Limited Health Insurance reimbursement
• Limited Commute reimbursement
• 401(k) retirement plan, 80% match on employees contributions, up to 5% of their salary deferrals
• Paid PTO (13 days the first 2 years of employment and 18 days after 2 years of employment)
• Paid twelve (12) federal holidays as well as paid week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Hybrid Work (3 days in office) after 3 months of employment
• Continuous professional development allowances
• Bonuses and incentives for high impact work
• On-site fitness center
• Company Teambuilding Events (i.e.: Nationals Games, Escape Rooms, and more)

This position offers a base salary range of $60,000–$70,000, plus eligibility for an annual performance incentive targeted at 15–20% of base salary based on achievement of sponsorship, exhibit, advertising, and partnership revenue goals.

Please reach out even if you do not meet all the criteria but are willing to learn and commit to being a part of our team. To apply, please email a cover letter and a copy of your resume. We appreciate all who apply, though only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Experience:

• sponsorship & exhibit sales: 3 years (Required)
• B2B marketing: 3 years (Required)
• association management: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Washington, DC 20036