The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

Audience Development Strategies (ADS) is growing — and we’re looking for an experienced association management leader to help us build what’s next.

ADS is an innovative association management company providing executive leadership, event management, membership development, marketing, communications, governance support, and strategic services to professional and trade associations. We believe associations deserve more than maintenance mode. We help organizations grow, evolve, and think bigger.

We are seeking a Managing Director, Association Management to serve as an Executive Director/Account Manager for 1–2 association clients while also mentoring, coaching, and overseeing our growing team of association professionals.

This is a leadership position for someone who thrives working with boards, enjoys building people, embraces innovation, and wants to help shape the future of association management.

What You'll Do

Association Executive Leadership

• Serve as Executive Director/lead staff liaison for assigned association clients
• Partner with Boards of Directors to drive strategy, governance excellence, membership growth, and organizational success
• Support committees, task forces, focus groups, and volunteer leaders
• Develop agendas, strategic initiatives, budgets, and operational plans
• Guide board succession planning, governance improvements, and long-term visioning
• Identify opportunities for innovation, growth, and enhanced member value

Team Leadership & Professional Development

• Mentor, train, and oversee ADS Executive Directors and Association Managers
• Help develop next-generation association professionals
• Coach experienced staff on bringing fresh thinking and innovative ideas to clients
• Support systems, processes, and operational excellence across accounts
• Contribute to onboarding, training, and leadership development initiatives

Growth & Strategic Leadership

• Serve as a member of the ADS management team
• Collaborate directly with the CEO and COO on growth initiatives and company strategy
• Contribute ideas to strengthen ADS systems, client experience, and service offerings
• Support business development opportunities
• Existing association clients or an established association management "book of business" are welcomed and valued

What Makes ADS Different

At ADS, you won’t work in isolation. You’ll be supported by an experienced internal team managing:

• Marketing
• Events
• Membership
• Social Media
• Finance
• Sales & Sponsorship
• Operations

We believe in collaboration, creativity, accountability, and bringing bold ideas to the table. We move quickly, solve problems, celebrate wins, and genuinely care about our clients and one another.  Our aim is to overdeliver, amaze and grow every aspect of our business and our client associations.  

Schedule & Benefits

• Full-time salaried position
• Hybrid schedule:
  • In-office Monday–Thursday (Farmington, CT)
  • Work-from-home Fridays possible
• Salary: $100,000 annually (or more if bringing a book of business)
• Benefits package included (Medical, Dental, 401(k) company contribution)
• Bonus Program
• Company credit card
• Generous PTO policy
• Professional growth opportunities
• Collaborative and supportive culture
• Opportunity to directly influence the future growth of ADS

Ready to help associations thrive — and help build the future of association management? We'd love to meet you.

Who You Are

You are collaborative, strategic, and energized by helping associations succeed.

You bring:

• Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential REQUIRED
• 7+ years of association management experience strongly preferred
• Significant experience serving as an Executive Director or senior association management leader
• Exceptional relationship management and communication skills
• Deep understanding of governance, volunteer leadership, committees, and nonprofit operations
• Experience mentoring and developing staff
• Strong communication and facilitation abilities
• Strategic thinking paired with strong execution skills
• Growth mindset and passion for innovation
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional client service
• Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and team-first mentality

About Audience Development Strategies

Audience Development Strategies (ADS) is a full-service association management and events firm that partners with professional societies, trade associations and mission-driven organizations to help them grow, innovate and deliver meaningful impact for their members. Based in Connecticut since 2016 and now expanding nationally, ADS blends strategy, operations, marketing, advocacy support and event production into one integrated model. We serve as executive director, staff partner and growth engine for our clients — helping associations strengthen governance, increase revenue, modernize member engagement and deliver exceptional programs. Our portfolio spans industries including infrastructure, construction, healthcare, energy, education and nonprofit leadership. In addition to managing associations, ADS produces proprietary conferences, industry events and media brands that connect communities and move industries forward. We believe association management should be proactive, entrepreneurial and collaborative. Our team operates less like an outsourced vendor and more like an embedded leadership partner. We bring cross-functional expertise — membership, finance, events, communicati...ons, sponsorship sales and policy support — so our clients benefit from the strength of a full organization rather than a single role. At ADS, innovation is expected. New ideas are encouraged. Team members are empowered to build, test and grow programs that create measurable value for associations and their members. ADS is a close-knit, high-energy environment built on trust, flexibility and professional growth. We hire people who are curious, accountable and comfortable wearing multiple hats. Many of our team members serve as executive directors for association clients while collaborating internally with specialists in marketing, finance, events and operations. We value: Ownership and initiative, continuous learning and professional development, strong client relationships; creativity balanced with operational discipline, and a supportive, drama-free workplace where people help each other succeed. Because we are growing, team members have real opportunities to shape programs, develop leadership skills and expand their careers quickly.

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