Senior Partnerships & Events Manager

Develop relationships with companies that do business with architects and designers. Sell advertising and sponsorships for an annual print and two digital monthly publications, an annual conference with exhibit booths, golf events, and a residential home tour. Play key roles in managing an expo hall, home tour, and golf event. Work closely with a small staff team to plan and implement projects and on organization-wide efforts. Seeking a team player who can also work well independently.

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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Minnesota is hiring a Senior Partnerships & Events Manager to support our extraordinary, mission-driven, nonprofit association made up 2,300+ architects, designers, and industry partners.

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to Executive Vice President. It requires the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with other staff team colleagues and members of the association.

This is a restructured position where the successful candidate will benefit from well-established relationships with many advertisers, sponsors, and program partners. The retiring Sales Director will provide assistance in transitioning those relationships.

We anticipate this key role will hold responsibilities including, but not limited to:

• Cultivate and maintain strong and satisfying relationships with industry partners in architecture and the broader AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry
• Secure and implement event sponsorships
• Sell and manage exhibit booths
• Sell and enter advertising and directory listings for our print publication, event programs, and website (currently being overhauled; the new website will likely go live in mid-March)
• Sell membership and support member value creation – particularly as related to Allied AIA Minnesota membership
• Develop and implement sales strategies
• Develop, manage, and maintain data related to current and prospective sponsors, advertisers, and members
• Take on key management roles related to the organization’s major events, including the Homes by Architects Tour, the Exposition Hall of our annual conference, and golf fundraisers that support student scholarships and grants
• Meet dues and non-dues revenue goals
• Collaborate with staff team colleagues and members to support organizational programs and services, as needed, throughout the year – both in strategic thinking and in implementation, and for the state and local chapters of the AIA in Minnesota and our affiliated foundation.

We are a values-driven organizational culture, committed to authenticity, equity, collaboration, and integrity in all that we do. Our team is small but mighty (8 full-time employees, with up to two interns) with each person holding an array of responsibilities. Collaboration with our member architects, designers, and allied industry professionals makes our team larger and co-creation makes our work stronger. Our members are problem solvers who are idealistic yet pragmatic; their design work shapes the built environment of Minnesota and well beyond. Serving this individually-based membership organization means supporting people’s career success, often over decades. We also foster design excellence – including sustainability, equity, and health and wellness related to the built environment.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of experience in sales, business development, or corporate sponsorship.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets, and attaining and maintaining high levels of partner/member satisfaction.
• Exceptional communications, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Well-organized and an excellent project manager.
• Event management experience, relevant to one or more of the organization’s events.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Suite. (AIA Minnesota does not have a CRM system.)
• Enthusiasm and respect for AIA Minnesota’s mission and membership.
• Ability to represent the organization well to external stakeholders. 
• Flexibility and mental agility to move easily from detail-oriented to strategic to relationship-based work tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a non-profit, association, or mission-driven organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience related to the AEC industry.

The work environment is expected to be hybrid, though can potentially be mostly remote; a number of events during the year will require in-person attendance and events management responsibilities (e.g., three-day annual conference in November, two-day weekend home tour and related events, golf outings, awards events, and partnered continuing education and social events). We anticipate staff taking a hoteling approach to workspaces once we move to our new office at Riverplace in Minneapolis this June.

Salary & Benefits:  $82,000 (no commission). AIA Minnesota offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, an employer match for retirement savings, separated vacation time and sick time (available from the outset), and strong benefits to support leave for the birth/adoption/welcoming of a child. After seven years of employment, staff are eligible to take a restorative or work-related sabbatical.

Applicants are asked to submit a resume and one-page cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io. Open until filled.