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Director, Marketing and Business Development

Director, Marketing & Business Development

Job Description

Job Title: Director, Marketing and Business Development
Location: NYC – Remote
Reports to: CEO & Executive Director
FLSA Classification: Exempt

Who We Are

Established in 1906, IES is the recognized technical and educational authority on illumination. Our mission is to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public. We provide a variety of professional development, publications, networking and educational opportunities to our membership of engineers, architects, designers, educators, students, contractors, distributors, utility personnel, manufacturers and scientists in nearly 60 countries. Through our American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited process, we publish and maintain the Lighting Library®, with over 100 standards written by subject matter experts in our technical committees.

Job Summary

The Director of Marketing and Business Development leads strategic planning and revenue generation for all IES organizational events while managing business development initiatives. This role oversees the complete lifecycle of conferences and events, develops sponsorship and partnership opportunities, and drives organizational growth through strategic marketing and partnership efforts. The position requires seamless coordination across departments including membership, education, and standards, while ensuring exceptional event experiences and measurable business results.

Key Responsibilities

Conference & Event Oversight

  • Oversee the full event lifecycle including goal setting, timeline creation, budget development, prioritization, and collaborator coordination
  • Supervise external event consultants, providing oversight of budgets, room layouts, A/V, shipping, food and beverage, and program coordination
  • In conjunction with the outsourced meeting planning team, serve as a primary point of contact with hotel partners and venue providers
  • Provide on-site event leadership to ensure seamless execution
  • Respond to attendee inquiries and provide high-quality customer service before, during, and after events
  • Ensure exceptional participant experiences that drive satisfaction and repeat attendance

Revenue Generation & Business Development

  • Drive sponsorship and exhibit revenue generation
  • Develop and execute short-term and long-term strategic sales plans and tactics to identify and engage growth partners for IES
  • Partner with marketing to develop the annual events calendar and sponsorship guide

Marketing & Communications

  • Lead collaborative marketing and promotional efforts for IES events and business development initiatives 
  • Collaborate closely with membership, education, and standards departments on integrated marketing campaigns, including those that support IES sections
  • Develop compelling promotional materials and communications to drive event attendance and sponsorship participation

Budget & Metrics Management

  • Develop and manage event budgets and track expenses across all programs
  • Monitor and report on event outcomes, registration trends, and revenue performance
  • Provide regular reporting to leadership on business development and event performance metrics

Committee Coordination & Collaboration

  • Work with event committees and oversee the coordination of meetings including scheduling, agenda preparation, and documenting meeting notes
  • Partner with internal teams on event-related programming for various committees 
  • Foster strong relationships with volunteers, committee members, and key stakeholders  

Supervisory Responsibilities

  • This position supervises an Operations & Events Coordinator, as well as an external events consultant and team, as applicable

Skills & Competencies

Event & Project Management

  • Proven ability to lead vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and manage complex logistics
  • Experience with both virtual and in-person event execution Business Development & Sales
  • Track record of developing and executing successful sponsorship and partnership strategies
  • Ability to identify growth opportunities and build strategic relationships

Communication & Leadership

  • Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints
  • Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills Analytical & Reasoning Ability
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
  • Strong budget management and financial analysis skills

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (e.g., MPA, MBA, or related).
  • Minimum 7 years of combined experience in marketing/business development, preferably in a nonprofit or association environment
  • Proven experience managing conferences and working with external vendors
  • Demonstrated success in sponsorship sales and revenue generation

Work Environment

  • This role is fully remote, requiring regular interaction with team members across departments
  • Prolonged stationary periods and working on a computer
  • Ability to work evenings/weekends for events as needed

Travel Requirements

  • Regular travel required business development meetings and conferences
  • Travel is within the U.S. and internationally as needed, estimated at 10-15% per year
  • Overnight travel required for multi-day conferences and site visits

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IES is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals are valued and respected.

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