Senior Partnerships & Events Manager

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Minnesota is an extraordinary, mission-driven nonprofit association comprised of over 2,300 architects, designers, and industry partners dedicated to advancing the architecture profession and promoting design excellence. As an influential organization in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, AIA Minnesota fosters collaboration, equity, sustainability, and health within the built environment. Through a wide array of programs, events, and publications, the association supports its members' career growth and professional development, making a significant impact on shaping Minnesota's built environment and beyond.

We are currently seeking a Senior Partnerships & Events Manager to join our dynamic team and play a crucial role in facilitating partnerships and managing events. This full-time, exempt position reports directly to the Executive Vice President and offers the unique opportunity to build upon well-established relationships with advertisers, sponsors, and program partners in the architecture and allied industries. The successful candidate will inherit and transition relationships from the retiring Sales Director, leveraging these partnerships to generate revenue through advertising sales, sponsorships, membership drives, and managing exhibit booths.

This role is focused on cultivating strong and satisfying relationships with industry partners, securing and implementing event sponsorships, and managing advertising for our print and digital publications, including a soon-to-be-launched revamped website. The incumbent will contribute to developing and implementing sales strategies and maintaining detailed data on sponsors, advertisers, and members. Key management responsibilities include overseeing the Homes by Architects Tour, managing the Exposition Hall at the annual conference, and coordinating golf fundraisers that support student scholarships and grants.

The Senior Partnerships & Events Manager will work collaboratively with a small yet powerful team of eight full-time employees plus interns, contributing to both strategic thinking and hands-on event implementation. This role demands a balance of independently driven work and teamwork, with a focus on sustaining AIA Minnesota’s values of authenticity, equity, collaboration, and integrity. Our members are pragmatic idealists whose design work influences the quality of life within Minnesota and beyond. Supporting this community means nurturing long-term professional success, fostering excellence in design through innovative and equitable practices.

The work environment embraces hybrid flexibility, with many events requiring in-person presence such as the three-day annual conference, the weekend home tour, golf outings, award ceremonies, and continuing education events. Starting mid-June, the team will be based out of a new office at Riverplace in Minneapolis, employing a hoteling workspace model. This position offers a salary of $82,000 with no commission, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, employer retirement match, separate vacation and sick leave starting from employment onset, generous family leave policies, and a restorative sabbatical option after seven years of service.

The Senior Partnerships & Events Manager position at AIA Minnesota is truly an exciting opportunity for an experienced, relationship-focused professional passionate about architecture and event management. If you thrive in a values-driven organizational culture and have proven sales and project management skills, this role provides a platform to contribute meaningfully to the architecture community while growing your career in a mission-guided nonprofit setting.