Associate Director of Events, Sponsorships, & Activations

The Midtown Association (MA) is a well-established non-profit organization dedicated to transforming Midtown Sacramento into a vibrant hub of culture, creativity, and urban life. Located in the heart of Sacramento's urban core, MA fosters a dynamic environment that celebrates local businesses, community events, and placemaking initiatives. Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Sacramento by its team and the Sacramento Business Journal, the Midtown Association prides itself on a culture driven by integrity, responsiveness, growth, collaboration, resiliency, resourcefulness, and technological efficiency. These core values ensure that the organization maintains high standards of service, fosters personal and professional development, and continually adapts to new challenges while delivering impactful results.

Midtown Association supports a diverse and creative workplace with a modern, open-concept office situated among over 20 restaurants, coffee shops, and cultural amenities. The organization embraces a smart casual/business dress code and offers a blend of in-office and remote work flexibility, fostering a healthy work-life balance and encouraging team cohesion. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, MA cultivates an inclusive environment responsive to individual needs and aspirations.

The position of Associate Director of Events, Sponsorships, & Activations is an exempt, full-time role reporting to the Deputy Director. This strategic leadership position is critical to the continued success and growth of Midtown Association's signature events and fundraising initiatives. The Associate Director will oversee a team comprising one direct and two indirect reports, guiding them toward professional development and organizational objectives. Situated at 1401 21st Street, Unit A, Midtown Sacramento, this role combines office-based project management with hands-on event leadership, requiring a commitment to onsite presence four days per week and remote work one day weekly.

The Associate Director serves as a pivotal leader who champions MA's diverse event portfolio including the Midtown Farmers Market, Second Saturday festivities, annual fundraisers, Fresh Air: Midtown Parks, Halloween Festival and Pooch Parade, placemaking installations, and hotspot programming within Midtown's entertainment and restaurant districts. The role demands proficiency in managing budgets, permits, advocacy efforts, and partnerships while ensuring compliance with operational standards. A critical responsibility includes maintaining and expanding approximately 75 annual event sponsorships—nurturing relationships, negotiating renewals, and aligning sponsorships with organizational goals to maximize revenue and impact.

Additionally, the Associate Director will drive innovation through activations by implementing playful, culturally rich interventions aimed at displacing negative loitering with positive community engagement. These activations are integral to the hot spot management program and contribute significantly to the organization’s public outreach and placemaking objectives. Collaboration with MA's Placemaking and Communications teams is essential, particularly in integrating signature art experiences or installations into major events like Second Saturday, thus enhancing Midtown's cultural vibrancy.

A successful candidate must be adept at leadership, managing multi-disciplinary projects, and leveraging technology systems for project tracking, communication, and performance monitoring. The role requires exceptional communication skills, political awareness, and the ability to anticipate and adapt to evolving priorities. With no less than seven years of relevant professional experience and a bachelor’s degree, the Associate Director is expected to uphold Midtown Association's mission, maintain high engagement levels with stakeholders, and demonstrate consistent accountability and transparency.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift up to 40 pounds and sustain long hours standing outdoors for event oversight in varying weather conditions. The work environment is both fast-paced and dynamic, calling for flexibility, patience, and self-motivation. The position offers a salary range of $90,000 to $100,000 DOE plus incentives, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package that supports employee well-being and professional growth.