Qualifications

• Experience developing campaigns that drive sponsorships.
• Experience with MarTech tools and platforms, including but not limited to, Google Analytics, CRM (Salesforce), CMS (Wordpress/Drupal), Marketing Automation (Marketing Cloud), Social Media and SEO tools.
• Strong persuasive copywriting experience with command of grammar and style.

• Understanding of Marketing best practices including value proposition creation, calls to action, pricing and promotion strategies, and conversion rate optimization.
• Strong judgment and proven ability to assimilate complex organizational, political, and cultural issues into high-quality, multimedia marketing strategies, storytelling, and tactics.
• Ability to navigate and successfully develop relationships in a matrixed organization.
• Must have a proven track record in developing successful, multifaceted strategic event and sponsorship marketing campaigns that have increased attendance, revenue and customer engagement.
• Experience in strategic planning and budgeting to meet revenue and expense targets.
• Strong aptitude for staying abreast of external trends and new developments in event and sponsorship marketing, customer experience, and the digital landscape.
• Demonstrated project management skills and be a highly motivated self-starter able to work in an extremely fast-paced team environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated effectiveness through interpersonal, presentation, written, and oral communications.
• Effective time management skills and the ability to multitask.
• Strong attention to detail while understanding the bigger picture.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present to senior colleagues.

• Ability to take constructive feedback and consistently improve. 

College degree in Marketing, Business, or a related discipline with 8 or more years of experience in an Event Marketing role with progressive responsibilities.

Supervisory Requirements 

Individual contributor.

What we offer
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our company values and workplace culture, including:

• Medical and dental
• 401(k)
• Flexibility
• Paid time off
• Flexible spending accounts
• Income protection- (Life Insurance Coverage up to 2x salary) & disability plans at no cost.
• Tuition and membership reimbursements
• AIA employees have access to a variety of other programs, including:
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their family members
  • Computer purchase program
  • Fitness club discounts
  • Prepaid legal services program
  • Identity theft protection

Travel Requirements: N/A

Work Location: Washington, DC. All AIA employees in the DC metro area are currently working remotely during our office renovation. Employees in the DC Metro area will have the option to return to the newly renovated office at the completion of the renovation in Spring 2025.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, in accordance with the applicable law.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
AIA will provide you with the opportunity to advocate for the value of architecture and give architects and design professionals the resources they need to do their best work. The collective voice of architects is essential and our work drives positive change through the power of design.

Each one of us at AIA is a leader committed to demonstrating our mission and values and designing a better future for our country and planet. Even in times of change, AIA’s values remain constant:

• We stand for equity and human rights
• We stand for architecture that strengthens our communities
• We stand for a sustainable future
• We stand for protecting communities from the impacts of climate change
• We stand for economic opportunity
• We stand for investing in the future
• We speak up, and policymakers listen

The American Institute of Architects, as part of the global community, is building a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession of architecture to create a better built environment for all. Achieving this vision has a direct impact on the relevance of the profession of architecture and the world's prosperity, health, and future.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Managing Director, Marketing & Digital Strategy. The Director, Event & Sponsorship Marketing will be responsible for the creation and execution of marketing plans, strategies, and tactics that drive revenue, attendance, and audience engagement for large-scale signature events and tradeshows, and compelling marketing packages that grow sponsorships, collaborating closely with Events, Sales and other teams across the organization.

The Director, Event & Sponsorship Marketing will collaborate with their broader MarCom team members (Brand, Digital, Media and Communications), including the Director of Marketing and Director of Digital Marketing, to create compelling value propositions that support high-profile, professional events within the architecture, design, and allied AEC industries. This role will collaborate directly with Sales to close and fulfill high-value sponsorship packages for top brands that provide products and services that support the industries within the built environment. The Director, Event & Sponsorship Marketing will work closely with the Managing Director, Brand & Operations to ensure strong project management, goal setting, and performance management for Events portfolios.

Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the ideation, development, planning, and execution of marketing campaigns through execution from start to finish that grow event attendance, achieve revenue targets, and strengthen audience engagement across multiple channels and platforms for an omnichannel customer experience.
• Expand the annual Conference on Architecture and Expo, which attracts 15,000 attendees and hundreds of exhibitors per year, to attract new attendees and exhibitors in the broader AEC industries.
• Grow registrations for the Women’s Leadership Summit, the largest gathering of women in the architecture & design and broader AEC industries.
• Serve as primary point of contact on events marketing, constantly assessing the events landscape, bringing fresh ideas and best practices, and applying them to building innovative and achievable event marketing campaigns aligned with target audiences.
• Provide guidance and recommendations on themes, content, keynotes, panels, and experiences that will attract target audience segments, working in collaboration with the Communications and Events teams.
• Develop event personas and expand our audience scope to align messaging, value propositions, CTAs, and customer journeys to attract new audience segments and convert them to event loyalists.
• Design pricing and promotional packages for different audience segments that achieve revenue goals while engaging and expanding target audiences.
• Customer-obsessed and data-informed, continuously analyze event marketing campaign performance and consistently set benchmarks and strengthen ROI. Communicate findings and recommendations to Event and MarCom colleagues and cross-departmental stakeholders.
• In collaboration with Event team, ensure on-point brand experiences at in-person and virtual events that heighten the profile of the organization and support its mission.
• Collaborate with Digital and Media and Communication teams to develop compelling marketing funnels with a focus on lead generation and conversions.
• Conduct customer and competitor analysis, ensuring events are positioned competitively in the marketplace―including brand, messaging, and pricing―and aligned with target audiences.
• Perform strong project management, setting clear timelines with Events, MarCom Operations, Marketing colleagues, and cross-departmental teams to ensure on-time delivery of campaigns and launches.
• Collaborate directly with Sales teams to identify prospective sponsorship opportunities and create marketing packages that attract and convert target brands into paid sponsors.
• Work directly with Marketing and Communications leadership to support the annual MarCom plan and provide recommendations for strategies and tactics that will achieve organizational goals.
• Work directly with Events, Membership, and Knowledge teams to build an annual events calendar that supports the organizational goals and marketing and sales cycles.
• Own event marketing agency relationships and vendors engaged in support of event marketing goals and activities.
• Model and foster behavior that establishes a culture of belonging consistent with the values, goals, and objectives of the organization to create an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, accountability, empowerment, and dedication to the mission.
• Ensure that event and sponsorship marketing strategies reflect the diversity of the communities served by the organization within a strategic lens of equity, diversity & inclusion, and sustainability.
  Frequent Contacts:
• AIA Marketing & Communications Department
• Sales, Events & Exhibitions Department
• Knowledge & Practice Department