Account Manager – Sponsorship Fulfillment

Smithbucklin, a 100% employee-owned company that serves associations, communities, and societies, is seeking an Account Manager – Sponsorship Fulfillment to join the team in Washington DC. Smithbucklin’ s Sales Services Team specializes in national advertising, sponsorship and exhibit sales for associations. We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Sponsorship Fulfillment Manager to oversee the execution and delivery of sponsorship agreements across multiple clients. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring all sponsorship obligations are met, managing client relationships, coordinating with internal teams, and providing excellent post-campaign reporting and analysis. This position requires exceptional organizational skills, a customer-first mindset, and the ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.

Key Responsibilities:

Sponsorship Fulfillment & Execution

• Serve as the primary point of contact for multiple clients and sponsors, ensuring all deliverables are fulfilled according to sponsorship agreements.
• Develop detailed fulfillment plans for sponsorship campaigns, including timelines, key milestones, and deliverables.
• Coordinate cross-departmental efforts (sales, marketing, events, education and digital teams) to execute sponsorship elements seamlessly.
• Monitor ongoing sponsorship activities to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

Client Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with sponsors and clients, acting as a trusted partner throughout the fulfillment process.
• Provide regular updates to sponsors, ensuring transparent communication on deliverables and campaign progress.
• Address and resolve any client concerns or requests in a timely manner.

Post-Event/Campaign Reporting & Analysis

• Compile post-campaign reports, including metrics, analytics, and performance insights.
• Present results to sponsors and clients, highlighting successes and opportunities for future collaborations.
• Process Improvement & Innovation:
• Identify opportunities to streamline sponsorship fulfillment processes for increased efficiency.
• Work with internal teams to create new sponsorship activation ideas that drive value for sponsors and clients.
• Stay updated on industry trends to ensure sponsorship programs remain innovative and competitive.

This Role Might Be for You If…

• You have exceptional project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• You exhibit strong multi-tasking and time management skills, including the ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks conforming to shifting priorities, demands and timelines
• You have a demonstrated ability to self-start as well as work as part of a team
• You have a proven history of demonstrating a high level of professionalism
• You possess strong written and verbal communication skills
• You exhibit a high level of detail orientation
• You display strong customer service skills (phone skills, in person, emails)

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to travel 30%, both domestic and international to attend events and client meetings (may include weekends)
• 4 years of experience in sponsorship activation, account management, event marketing, or related roles
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Experience working with multiple clients/accounts simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using exhibit software such as Expocad3E, AtoZ, or Map Your Show
• Proficiency with basic computer programming, including the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Experience with Salesforce is a plus
• Knowledge of digital advertising, event production, and/or brand partnerships is a plus

Where Do You Fit?

Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferrable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people – regardless of position or compensation – an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.

Our hybrid environment offers you the option to work from home two days per week. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.

The salary for this role will be based on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. Additionally, successful candidates may qualify for a discretionary bonus up to and including 5% of base pay. The expected pay for this role is: Chicago: $70,000 to $75,000

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. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a 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 permanently.