The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

Position Overview

Our Vice President of Convening and Education (VP C&E) is a key member of our executive leadership team and plays a pivotal role in shaping the Association’s future, driving membership growth and retention, delivering state-of-the-art industry education and networking opportunities through a regular series of meetings, webinars, and special forums, and maintaining our Foundation’s financial strength while expanding the reach and effectiveness of its programs.

In addition, this role diversifies and grows non-dues and non-meetings revenue by transforming the Association’s expertise, insights, and industry leadership into scalable knowledge-based products and services.

Our VP C&E will also lead efforts to expand the Association’s membership internationally, strengthening our global presence and adapting our value proposition to meet the needs of international markets.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director & CEO, our VP C&E serves as both a strategic thought partner and a hands-on operational leader, managing cross-functional teams and collaborating across departments to achieve our organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Stewardship

• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team to shape and implement the Association’s strategic plan and long-term goals within the membership, meetings, and education spaces.
• Play a central role in advancing the Association’s revenue diversification strategy, with accountability for growing sustainable non-dues and non-meetings revenue streams.
• Lead the development and execution of the annual operational budget for the Foundation.
• Exercise independent judgment and executive decision-making in support of the Association’s mission, values, and business objectives.

Membership & Business Development

• Oversee the Membership & Business Development team which is responsible for generating a large portion of the Association’s ~$8.5 million+ annual revenue.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the Association, driving membership acquisition, retention, and engagement through strategic relationship building and business development activities.
• Lead the development and execution of strategies to expand membership internationally, including market assessment, value proposition refinement, and targeted outreach in priority regions.
• Cultivate relationships with international stakeholders, partners, and prospective members to grow awareness, relevance, and adoption of the Association’s offerings abroad.

Meetings & Events

• Provide executive oversight of the Association’s robust portfolio of meetings, webinars, forums, and industry events—from site selection and vendor contracting to content development and speaker engagement—ensuring seamless, high-impact events that reflect the Association’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and relevance in the tolling and transportation space.
• Represent the Association at key industry events and meetings.

Education & Foundation Oversight

• Oversee the Association’s educational strategy and learning portfolio, including professional development, leadership programs, and member training initiatives.
• Expand the reach of educational offerings by aligning learning programs with market demand and opportunities for revenue growth.
• Provide strategic direction to the Association’s Foundation supporting content development and fundraising campaigns for the annual service project, the Foundation scholarship fund, and the annual Leadership Academy program.

People Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams, creating a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and excellence.
• Provide direct supervision including performance management, talent development, hiring, and when necessary, termination.
• Foster a collaborative working relationship with the VP, Communications, Marketing, and Media Relations and the VP, Finance & Accounting to ensure alignment of strategy, messaging, and resources, particularly in support of revenue growth, product marketing, and international expansion initiatives.

Essential Functions

• These are the core duties that must be performed by the employee, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and implement the Association’s business plan, long-term strategic goals, and budget for membership, meetings, and education, including diversified revenue initiatives.
• Provide executive leadership for membership recruitment, engagement, and retention strategies, including direct oversight of the Membership Development, Member Services, and Business Development teams.
• Lead initiatives to grow international membership and strengthen the Association’s global footprint.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective members across industries and regions to support membership and revenue growth.
• Oversee the planning, development, and execution of the Association’s meetings and events portfolio, including site selection, logistics, program development, and speaker management through direct supervision of the Meetings team.
• Oversee the development and performance of non-dues, non-meetings revenue programs and knowledge-based products.
• Provide executive oversight of the Association’s Foundation, including support for fundraising efforts, the annual service project, and the Leadership Academy.
• Serve as a key spokesperson and public representative of the Association, including presenting to large audiences, moderating panels, and engaging with stakeholders in one-on-one settings.
• Exercise sound independent judgment and make strategic and operational decisions that align with the Association’s goals and mission.
• Travel domestically and occasionally internationally to represent the Association at meetings, conferences, and other events as needed. Travel may involve air transportation and extended periods away from home, including overnight stays, and may require flexible scheduling, including weekends.
• Regularly use a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment to communicate effectively.
• Assist with event and office logistics, including lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds, as needed.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance and availability during standard business hours, with flexibility for events and event preparation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, management, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience, ideally in membership development, business development, meeting management, or revenue-generating product or service lines.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing strategic plans, managing complex budgets, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen including experience growing non-dues revenue.
• Dynamic relationship-builder.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to balance long-term strategy with day-to-day execution.
• Experience working with or expanding into international markets strongly preferred.
• Experience overseeing teams and managing staff performance and development.
• Familiarity with the transportation or toll industry is a plus.
• Willingness and ability to regularly travel to Association events, meetings, and industry forums.
• Reliable transportation to and from the office and events required.
• Ability to be present in the Washington, DC office at least twice a week required. DMV residency preferred.

Key Competencies

• Executive presence
• Strategic and entrepreneurial thinker
• Problem-solver / solution oriented
• Product development
• Leadership and team development
• Relationship management and member service oriented
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making
• Consultative selling and marketing acumen
• Project and program management
• Collaboration and cross-functional communication
• Public speaking

Travel: 15-20% travel to conferences and industry networking events. This may include but is not
limited to attendance at 4-6 conferences per year (each 3-5 consecutive days with one potentially
international) as well as additional industry events or member office visits.

Location: Hybrid: Preferred that the individual resides within commuting distance from our global
headquarters in Washington, D.C.