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Head of Association Performance & Operations
Smithbucklin
Application
Details
Posted: 24-Jul-25
Location: Chicago
Type: Full Time
Salary: 160,000 - 215,000
Categories:
Other
Additional Information:
Hybrid/Remote is allowed.
Certifications:
CAE
Internal Number: 1770
Smithbucklin is an employee-owned professional services company with over 600 team members and more than 75 years of success serving the association market. We are looking for a Head of Association Performance & Operations to join our Chicago or Washington, D.C. office. The Head of Association Performance & Operations is responsible for implementing standard operating procedures, assessing association health, identifying areas for improvement, and leading projects to drive growth and innovation across our association management client base.
About Smithbucklin
Smithbucklin empowers associations, societies, and communities to enrich and move industries, fields, and professions forward. Working together in a network-based organizational structure, we help organizations operate efficiently and effectively, through the right combination of talent, expertise and technology, which enables growth and mission impact.
This role might be a great fit if…
You are an association guru
You believe that associations are a key enabler in today’s business world
You are data-driven and performance-focused
You live for finding better and faster ways to do things
You thrive on driving growth and improvement
You enjoy having a wide array of working relationships
In this role, you can expect to…
The Head of Association Performance & Operations is responsible for: (1) Implementing tools, templates, and standard operating procedures for association management, (2) Running Smithbucklin’s Association Excellence Program (AXP), a client satisfaction, self-assessment, and benchmarking tool for association management clients, and (3) Providing proactive and reactive support for special projects on association management clients. The Head of Association Performance & Operations has one direct report, who is a shared support resource.
Implementing Tools, Templates, & SOPs
Lead the development of tools, templates, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the association management unit.
Ongoing owner and curator of SOPs, including implementation, training, and adoption.
Create new, update, refine, and improve SOPs and tools as needed.
Assess adoption as part of overall client health, support implementation where needed, and analyze ROI of efficiencies.
Association Excellence Program
Lead all aspects of Smithbucklin’s proprietary Association Excellence Program, including:
Annual review cycle for 70+ association management clients
Health scan type approach to identify areas of success and improvement
Meet with internal teams and external clients to review and discuss results
Educate Smithbucklin team members and external clients on the process
Recommend specific action plans to improve results
Develop and evolve the AXP model, including updating benchmarks, refining evaluative framework, and optimizing question strategy.
Oversee ongoing development and continuous improvement of underlying survey and reporting technologies
Stay apprised of and incorporate latest trends in association performance management
Aggregate and analyze AXP and external data to understand trends in Smithbucklin’s client base
Client Support
Work directly with internal client teams to develop plans for:
Areas for growth & development, to maximize potential
Problem areas, to shore up underperformance and mitigate risk
Coach Smithbucklin client leaders on how to address issues and capitalize on opportunities
Work on new business pitches and client retention efforts
Identify special projects that will drive better performance
Analyze data, develop data sources and visualizations that create insights
Be a catalyst for growth, change, and innovation
Required Experience
10+ years of experience in the association industry
5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role
Experience in different types of associations: trade, professional, healthcare, chapters, SIGs, etc.
Desired Experience
Active Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation
Experience in the professional services industry
Consulting experience for association industry
Experience as a Business Analyst
More About Smithbucklin
Our hybrid environment offers you the option of working from home two days per week. All team members come to the office on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and have the flexibility to work elsewhere on Wednesday and Friday.
The salary for this role will be based on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. The expected pay for this role is $160,000 - $215,000.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment, you must be authorized to work in the United States without limitation.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying.
Founded in 1949, Smithbucklin provides full-service association management and services to trade associations, professional societies, technology user groups, corporations, government institutes/agencies and other nonprofit organizations. Smithbucklin’s mission is to drive growth for its client organizations and provide uncompromised stewardship for their long-term prosperity.
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