ASSOCIATION MANAGER

ABOUT CAM

CAM is an AMCI-accredited, full-service association management company that partners with associations, professional societies, and nonprofits to help them operate effectively, engage their members, and achieve their goals.

Our team brings together professionals in association management, events, communications, marketing, finance, operations, and technology. We work collaboratively across disciplines to provide clients with both strategic expertise and effective day-to-day management.

We are looking for an Association Manager who enjoys building relationships, working with volunteer leaders, managing priorities, solving problems, and helping organizations turn ideas into action.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Association Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and priorities of assigned association clients. You will serve as a key point of contact for volunteer leaders, members, and other stakeholders while coordinating CAM resources to deliver results.

Depending on the client, you may serve as the primary manager for a smaller association or work with a Lead Association Manager on a larger or more complex organization.

This is an opportunity for an experienced association professional who wants to do more than coordinate tasks. You will own client relationships, manage priorities, advise volunteer leaders, coordinate resources, and help drive meaningful results.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Client & Association Management

• Manage day-to-day operations, priorities, communications, projects, and deliverables for assigned clients.

• Build trusted relationships with boards, committees, volunteer leaders, members, sponsors, vendors, and other stakeholders.

• Understand each client's mission, governance, membership, and operating environment.

• Anticipate needs, identify issues, and bring forward recommendations and solutions.

• Help volunteer leaders turn priorities and decisions into action.

• Provide continuity and organizational knowledge through leadership transitions.

Board & Committee Management

• Manage governance calendars, leadership transitions, elections, and key deadlines.

• Prepare agendas, reports, minutes, board materials, and action-item tracking.

• Manage board and committee meetings and ensure appropriate follow-through.

• Maintain governance records, policies, rosters, and other organizational documentation.

Membership, Programs & Events

• Oversee membership operations, communications, engagement, and growth initiatives.

• Monitor membership trends and feedback to identify opportunities to improve member value.

• Oversee conferences, meetings, webinars, educational programs, and other events from planning through completion.

• Coordinate speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, venues, vendors, logistics, communications, and other resources.

• Delegate and oversee execution by CAM staff and other resources as appropriate.

• Evaluate program and event results and recommend improvements.

Financial & Operational Management

• Work within approved client budgets, established scope, staffing resources, and CAM processes.

• Review and interpret basic financial reports and budgets.

• Work with CAM Finance and client treasurers or finance committees on budgeting and financial reporting.

• Identify financial or operational risks, efficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.

Working Across CAM

• Connect CAM's Finance, Marketing & Communications, Client Systems, Events, and other teams to client priorities.

• Clearly communicate client expectations, timelines, and deliverables.

• Lead projects involving multiple CAM departments.

• Delegate appropriate work to coordinators, administrative staff, interns, and other resources.

• Maintain accountability for the overall client outcome.

Scope & Workload Management

• Recognize when changing priorities or client requests require additional resources or fall outside established scope.

• Communicate concerns early and work with leadership to prioritize, delegate, adjust resources, or reset expectations.

• Consider the broader impact of workload and staffing decisions on both client service and CAM operations.

• Track time accurately and manage work within established client scope and resources.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

You will be successful when:

• Clients trust you to manage their priorities and follow through.

• Volunteer leaders have confidence in your judgment and expertise.

• Board and committee decisions translate into action.

• Projects, programs, and events are organized, timely, and aligned with client objectives.

• Members receive a responsive and valuable experience.

• CAM resources are effectively coordinated around client needs.

• Potential issues are identified and addressed before they become problems.

• You identify opportunities to improve client effectiveness, efficiency, and member value.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in association management, nonprofit management, membership organizations, or related client management.

• Experience working directly with boards, committees, volunteer leaders, and members.

• Strong understanding of association governance, operations, membership, and volunteer engagement.

• Strong project management, organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a multi-client environment.

• Sound judgment and ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate.

• Ability to lead projects and coordinate internal and external resources.

• Ability to review and interpret basic financial reports and budgets.

• Experience with association databases, meeting platforms, project-management systems, or workflow tools.

• Experience with conferences, educational programs, membership initiatives, sponsorship, or fundraising is a plus.

• Experience working for an association management company or in another multi-client environment is a plus.

• CAE certification is preferred but not required.

WHY WORK AT CAM?

At CAM, you won't manage an association alone. You'll be part of a team of association professionals, marketers, financial specialists, technology experts, event professionals, and other specialists who bring their expertise together to help clients succeed.

As an Association Manager, you own the client relationship, understand the organization's priorities, manage the work, and bring the right CAM resources together to get it done.

If you enjoy association management, working with volunteer leaders, solving problems, and seeing organizations move forward because of your work, we'd like to hear from you.

LOCATION & COMPENSATION

This is a remote position. For employees located in the Chicago area, CAM offers the option of working from our downtown Chicago office either full-time or on a hybrid basis.

CAM
400 E. Randolph St., Suite 3115
Chicago, IL 60601

This is an exempt position with a salary range of $60,000–$75,000. Compensation within the range will be determined by factors including business need, location, qualifications, skills, education, and experience.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

CAM is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. CAM does not discriminate in its employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic.

Since 1987, CAM has helped associations and societies thrive—with the structure, insight, and partnership it takes to make real impact.