Description

The Opportunity
The Manager of Sponsorships and Events will be a member of the team that grows revenue and executes NCTE’s national, local, and online events. NCTE events create inspiring and memorable learning opportunities for literacy educators, and this position will advance them. This opportunity is perfect for a meeting planner who thrives in building and executing plans with a small, efficient team of colleagues. This person will contribute to various aspects of NCTE’s meetings with a focus on sponsorship, including the Annual Convention (with over 7,000 attendees), the Conference on College Composition and Communication Annual Convention, NCTE partner conferences and four to five affiliated meetings that take place throughout the year. This position will also execute online events and do so in a way that builds exceptional event experiences and drives continuous enhancement in NCTE’s digital offerings.  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 

TRADESHOW AND SPONSORSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

The Manager of Sponsorships and Events oversees the successful planning and execution of exhibits and sponsorship across all NCTE Events creating high-quality exhibitor and attendee experiences.  This role works closely with NCTE’s sales team, internal stakeholders and contractors to ensure flawless execution of all aspects of NCTE sponsorship program. Duties include: 

• Managing sponsorship and exhibits revenue, helping to secure opportunities, tracking and reporting on budgets, reconciling sales reporting, and coordinating fulfillment to ensure sponsor satisfaction.
• Managing the General Services Contractor, exhibit hall floor plans, develop exhibitor service manuals and rules, and oversee the creation of onsite signage and structures.  
• Working with the sales team to create the exhibit and sponsorship prospectus, bringing new ideas that deliver revenue through high value exposure opportunities.
• Fostering relationships with exhibitors and sponsors as their main point of contact creating and executing comprehensive communication plans, ROI reporting, and feedback loops through surveys and post conference debriefs.  

SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING FULFILLMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

As part of building strong relationships with NCTE’s sponsors, this role is responsible for the execution and fulfillment of ads sold for the NCTE website, journals programs and emails.  Duties include: 

• Coordinating the creation of the advertising prospectus with NCTE’s sales team, including proposing potential opportunities and packages to attract sponsors.
• Working with NCTE’s journals, marketing department, and convention program manager to ensure proper placement and execution of ads sold.
• Maintaining tracking of ad sizing, deadlines, placement, and results through circulation/click rates.
   

EVENT PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES

This role will work closely with the events team on the planning and execution of NCTE events to continuously exceed attendee expectations. Duties include:

• Partnering with colleagues to execute logistical aspects including exhibitor registration, exhibitor housing blocks, speaker support, updating exhibitor floor plans and print materials, and more.
• Working with the Director of Events on sourcing and vendor selection, food and beverage orders, audio visual requirements, room sets, budgets event promotion and event work plans.  
• Managing coordination of show freight and vendor shipping and coordinate all sponsored events onsite. 
   

ONLINE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS

The Manager of Sponsorship and Events will serve as the primary producer of online events, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure flawless execution. Duties include: 

• Creating event standards and implementing new ideas/protocols that consistently build on a premium attendee experience.
• Collaborating interdepartmentally and with speakers and sponsors to coordinate all stages of preparation through execution for online events.  
• Ensuring adherence to event policies to uphold quality experiences.
   

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Ability to help develop new events and concepts for members of NCTE’s community to engage with each other
• Ability to work outside of traditional work hours to support project deliverables and database activities. To ensure work-life balance, NCTE encourages use of its flextime policy.
• Interest in supporting other duties as assigned

Requirements

• 5 years’ experience in event planning and exposition planning
• CMP and CEM (earned or in progress) desirable
• Proficient computer skills in MS Office  
• Experience using tradeshow management software
• Experience in virtual meeting platforms
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university
• Experience with Association Management Software platforms
• Excellent, precise communication skills, both verbal and written
• Self-reliance, good problem-solving skills, results-oriented approach
• Ability to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality
• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment
• Superior organization skills and ability to work under extreme pressure
• Strong project management and vendor management skills
• Awareness of current and emerging industry trends and demonstrated application of best practices in meetings and events planning, management, and logistics
• Ability to anticipate issues and proactively propose solutions
• Willingness to travel for shows and site visits (5–8 times per year)