ASAE helps associations, and the professionals who lead, manage, and work in them transform society through the power of collaboration. We are looking for someone to join our team as the Business Operations Manager. Candidates must be able to work in a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative environment where colleagues are engaged, respect and support each other, hold themselves accountable, and celebrate their work.

The Director of Partnerships is responsible for developing and executing engagement strategies that drive partner retention, expand partnership opportunities, and enhance ASAE’s value proposition for its industry partners. This role ensures the seamless fulfillment of partner benefits, fosters strong partner relationships, and collaborates cross-functionally to maximize engagement.

The Director will work closely with the VP, Sales & Partner Experience to ensure a cohesive approach to partner servicing, revenue growth, and strategic innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Partner Retention, Engagement, & Activation

• Develop and implement retention strategies to strengthen long-term partner relationships.
• Conduct regular strategy meetings with partners to assess engagement, discuss objectives, and maximize ROI.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned key partners, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and benefit fulfillment.
• Work cross-functionally to deliver partner benefits across Strategic, Corporate, and Event Partners. This includes: event activations, fulfillment, marketing recognition, and data insights.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure partner satisfaction and engagement.
• Lead the strategy and execution of ASAE’s Annual Partnership Summit to create a valuable experience for partners.

2. New Partnership Development & Revenue Growth

• Identify and develop new partnership categories to expand ASAE’s partner ecosystem.
• Research industry trends to identify potential partnership opportunities beyond traditional categories.
• Collaborate with the Director of Revenue Operations to assess revenue potential and feasibility of new partnership models.
• Support renewal and upsell strategies to maximize partner investment.

3. Internal Collaboration & Marketing Alignment

• Partner with marketing team to develop campaigns that highlight partner contributions and opportunities.
• Align with other departments (membership, learning, events, foundation) to maximize partner exposure and engagement at key conferences through sponsorships.

4. Strategic Oversight & Innovation

• Utilize data insights to refine and enhance ASAE’s partnership structure for long-term sustainability.
• Explore innovative engagement tactics in collaboration with the Senior Director, Sales, including digital activations, thought leadership opportunities, and exclusive partner experiences.
• Work with the Director of Revenue Operations to optimize financial forecasting for the Alliance Partnerships

Qualifications: or equivalent combination of work experience, training, and certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field or equivalent combination of work experience, training, and certifications
• 7+ years of experience in account management, sponsorship sales, and/or business development.
• Strong ability to develop and implement engagement strategies that drive long-term partner success.
• Experience in creating new partnership models and expanding into untapped markets.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in CRM and sales management tools.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in association management or working with nonprofit industry partners.
• Familiarity with event sponsorship strategy and activation planning.
• Understanding of data analytics and client performance metrics.

Benefits Offered:

• Flexible Work from Home Arrangements
• Flexible Work Hours
• Casual Dress Code
• Medical, Dental, Vision +
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Account
• Generous 401k Retirement Plan
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability Plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• AFLAC Plans
• Legal & Identity Theft Protection Plans
• Company Paid Professional Development
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Personal Computer Purchase Program

About American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)

Our organizational members are trade associations and individual membership societies that represent almost every sector of the economy and countless professions. Our 42,000 individual members—association professionals and industry partners—lead, manage, and work in or partner with organizations in more than a dozen association management disciplines, from executive management to finance to technology. Together, they represent 7,300 organizations and create a vibrant community that makes the world smarter, safer, and better every day. With support of the ASAE Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge, and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession and provides resources, education, ideas, and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. ASAE Business Services, Inc. (ABSI), ASAE’s wholly-owned subsidiary, provides business solutions to the association community that help associations grow and prosper, save time and money, and simplify the business of running an association.

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