The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland
Hybrid - Annapolis, MD
Posted: 15-Jan-26
Location: Hybrid - Annapolis, MD
Type: Full Time
Salary: $50,000-$60,000
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Additional Information:
The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is seeking a detail-oriented and member-focused professional to join our team as the Member Services and Events Coordinator.
MACo is the non-profit, non-partisan voice of all 24 Maryland counties promoting effective, efficient government through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The Association's member services support and empower our county leaders in serving the residents of Maryland.
The Member Services and Events Coordinator serves as the staff lead in ensuring membership engagement. Functioning as the primary liaison for the membership, especially newly elected officials and all affiliate groups and chapter organizations, this position organizes and plans the membership’s activities and pursues opportunities for growth in member participation.
The Member Services and Events Coordinator leads organization and planning for affiliate- and member-focused events as assigned, to include MACo’s symposium, affiliate conferences, and legislative reception, among others. They also serve as a secondary event planner for MACo’s larger conferences and events, playing an important role in key functions and responsibilities.
As the staff coordinator for MACo’s Legislative Committee, this role ensures a smooth process for the membership’s needs to be made known and carried out through MACo’s advocacy. As a contributor to MACo’s blog, this position covers events of interest to the county community and MACo's "Fun Facts" series, facilitating member education and information-sharing.
This is a hybrid position, with on-site work required in Annapolis on Tuesdays and Thursdays and occasionally on other days, as needed. Travel and on-site work at other events and meetings throughout Maryland is also occasionally required. Salary and benefits listed below.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATION AND OUTREACH:
- Serves as liaison to membership, answering inquiries and facilitating information-sharing
- Manages new member onboarding process, closely tracking election results, and facilitates the planning of MACo's Newly Elected Official Orientation event (every four years)
- Supports Affiliate and Chapter Organizations (in coordination with policy liaisons), by scheduling and organizing both in-person and virtual meetings, coordinating meeting needs (virtual, catering, etc.)
- Coordinates outreach to prospective affiliate members to encourage participation
- Exhibits at events where attendees include MACo members and/or potential partner/sponsor/exhibitor
- Liaison to Legislative Committee - coordinates nomination process, prepares agenda/materials, schedules guest speakers, manages meeting needs (virtual, catering, etc.), reviews advocacy "hot list" daily during the legislative Session (shared responsibility)
- Facilitates member education and information-sharing by contributing as an author on MACo's blog, covering events and trainings of interest to the membership
- Serves as liaison to Academy for Excellence in Local Governance, attending meetings and promoting member engagement
CONFERENCE & EVENT:
- In consultation with Deputy Director (primary events planner), serves as lead planner on specific MACo events, to include: affiliate conferences, symposium, Legislative Committee meetings, Corporate Partner Cruise, Legislative Reception, and other events as assigned
- As secondary events planner, will provide support and leadership on projects around MACo’s larger conferences and events, which may include: arranging hotel blocks, coordinating high-profile networking opportunities/receptions/tours, organizing MACo’s awards process, arranging shuttle services, and other duties as assigned
- Overall event-planning responsibilities may include: venue site visits, vendor negotiation, menu selection, brochure and flyer design, guest invitations, event promotion, agenda and meeting material preparation, speaker vetting and confirmation, audio/visual consultation, exhibit layout, on-site or virtual meeting hosting and public speaking, networking with sponsors and partners, physical event set up and tear down, and on-site coordination
AND OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.
TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- Organized and detail-oriented self-starter with demonstrated ability to set and manage multiple priorities and work independently while functioning as part of a cooperative team – extreme attention to detail is very important to this role
- Excellent customer service and outreach skills – prior experience in a membership association is a plus
- Familiarity with – or an enthusiasm to learn – meeting planning processes and best practices: site selection, negotiation, hotel and catering contracts, audio/visual selection, exhibit show layout and needs, content design and speaker selection, event promotion, sponsorship opportunities and fulfillment
- High level of interpersonal skills, with a polite, helpful, and enthusiastic manner
- Superior writing and communication skills
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office products, specifically Office 365, Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, and Zoom
- Strong working knowledge of online meeting platforms (Teams/Zoom) for hosting and participating in virtual meetings
- Poise and maturity
- Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, plan ahead, and approach projects proactively
- Candidates familiar with Maryland county governments and/or association management and event planning will be given special consideration
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL TASKS:
- Hybrid work environment - 3 days per week in-office may be required
- Approximately 2 weeks' travel in Maryland to be on-site for conferences is required
- Walking, standing, sitting for long periods of time
- Lifting and carrying supplies weighing up to 20 pounds
- Walking up stairs several times in a row, carrying supplies weighing up to 20 pounds
- Standing or sitting while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time
- Speaking concisely and communicating effectively to problem-solve
- Processing visual and auditory input to respond swiftly in an emergency
- Viewing/processing data on computer screens for long periods of time
- Reliable transportation for on-site work - whether at MACo's office in Annapolis or at other events throughout Maryland - is required
- Stable internet connection for any period of time when MACo staff are working from home is required
PRIOR EXPERIENCE:
Candidates should have 1-3 years of experience in a similar member support, outreach, or event-planning role or a role with a heavy customer service and detail-oriented focus. This is meant to be an entry-level event planning position. Former teachers, or others in detail-oriented, people-focused roles are encouraged to apply.
However, those individuals with more experience are welcome to apply and are encouraged to submit a cover letter with salary requirements and qualifications to Virginia White at vwhite@mdcounties.org by 5 pm on February 4.
EDUCATION:
Associate’s Degree or equivalent experience
CLASSIFICATION:
Full-time/Exempt; Hybrid Employee
SALARY & BENEFITS:
$50,000-$60,000, commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits (employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for all employees and spouses/children, plus the following for employee only: life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, retirement plan contribution, employee assistance program)
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Apply Via LinkedIn, Application Deadline: February 4, 2026 - while cover letters are not required, special consideration will be given to those candidates who send a cover letter outlining their qualifications, skills, and salary requirements to Virginia White at vwhite@mdcounties.org by 5 pm on February 4.
