Corporate Relations and Exhibits Manager

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARYPosition Title: Corporate Relations & Exhibits ManagerDepartment: ExhibitsReports to: Events DirectorAbout the Organization: The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world, representing the interests of more than 550,000 nurses who are charged with caring for acutely and critically ill patients. AACN is dedicated to creating a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and families where acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. Visit us online at is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed by or seeking employment with AACN on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex and gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), ancestry, national origin, age (40 or older), disability (mental and physical), military or veteran status, marital status, medical condition, or genetic information and any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation.Application Instructions: Interested individuals can visit our Careers Page and apply for the Corporate Relations & Exhibits Manager role. Any questions can be directed to: View email address on us.fitly.work. This position is remote. Some travel is required.

Position Purpose: The Corporate Relations & Exhibits Manager provides strategic leadership for the exhibits team, driving the growth and execution of AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition® (NTI). Accountable for the full sales lifecycle of exhibits and corporate sponsorships, this role manages partner relationships, oversees financial budgeting, and implements efficient systems to deliver an exceptional exhibitor experience. This position serves as the primary liaison for corporate partners and is responsible for optimizing show management to ensure both commercial success and operational excellence. 

This role has strategic ownership of the exhibits and sponsorship growth strategy within NTI, translating organizational priorities and market opportunities into strategies and plans that drive revenue growth, exhibitor engagement, and sponsorship performance. The role has accountability for revenue forecasting and variance management, cost forecasting and variance management, cost containment strategies and efficiencies; revenue-maximizing and enhancement strategies; alignment with strategic roadmap and business priorities. 

Main Accountabilities & Results:

• Provides revenue and business development leadership of NTI exhibits and sponsorships.

  • Leads revenue forecasting and monitors exhibit and sponsorship performance against established goals, analyzing trends and variances and identifying actions to maximize revenue and improve financial performance. 

  • Develops annual business plans and strategic recommendations for exhibits and sponsorships, aligning revenue opportunities, customer needs, market conditions, and operational priorities with AACN's strategic direction. 

  • Builds and maintains strategic industry alliances, corporate relationships, and partnerships that drive revenue growth and expand exhibit and sponsorship opportunities. 

• Leads financial and operational management of exhibit and sponsorship programs. 

  • Leads financial planning and ongoing budget management for exhibits and sponsorship programs, including revenue forecasting, expense management, variance analysis, and identification of opportunities to maximize revenue and improve financial performance. 

  • Monitors financial performance against established goals and develops corrective actions to address revenue, expense, and profitability variances. 

  • Accountable for achieving annual exhibit and sponsorship revenue targets and managing associated program expenses. 

  • Negotiates and manages contracts and agreements with exhibitors, sponsors, vendors, and other corporate partners within established organizational guidelines. 

  • Identifies and mitigates financial, operational, vendor, and customer experience risks associated with exhibits and sponsorship programs. 

  • Makes decisions regarding exhibit and sponsorship priorities, sales approaches, resource allocation, processes, and customer experience within established organizational goals, policies, and budget parameters.

• Provides leadership of the exhibits team.

  • Builds and improves team effectiveness. Assures integration of team norms into the work processes and relationships.

  • Develops positive, working relationships among AACN team members to optimize organizational outcomes and increase matrix team effectiveness.

  • Provides for effective leadership in developing and maintaining optimum team function through coaching, modeling, and creating opportunities for individual and group development.

• Leads cross-functional projects as assigned, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, effective resource utilization, and successful delivery of intended outcomes.

  • Gathers, analyzes, and leverages exhibitor and sponsor feedback, market insights, and performance data to identify opportunities and implement improvements that strengthen engagement, retention, and the overall customer experience.

  • Develops and manages strategic relationships with third-party vendors supporting exhibit sales and services; evaluates performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and ensures vendor partnerships deliver quality, value, and business results.

  • Identifies, evaluates, and implements innovative strategies, processes, and approaches to increase exhibit and sponsorship sales, strengthen market positioning, and improve business performance.

  • Develops new business opportunities by identifying and cultivating prospective exhibitors, sponsors, corporate partners, events, and other revenue-generating opportunities aligned with AACN priorities.

  • Provides oversight and coordination of outsourced advertising sales activities, monitoring performance, aligning priorities and sales objectives, and addressing opportunities or issues to support revenue goals and partner outcomes.

  • Monitors industry trends, competitive activity, customer needs, and market opportunities to inform exhibit and sponsorship strategies and identify opportunities for growth and innovation. 

  • Identifies, assesses, and mitigates financial, operational, vendor, and customer experience risks associated with exhibit and sponsorship programs. 

  • Upholds the organization’s talent philosophy and values. 

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills Required: