Sponsorship & Exhibitor Relations Specialist

: Job Title: Sponsorship & Exhibitor Relations Specialist Area: Finance, Sponsorships & Sales - Meetings and Events Reports to: Manager of Finance, Sponsorships & Sales Classification: Exempt Location : Evanston, IL This position is designated as Hybrid - Fully Flexible and expected to work from our World Headquarters office once per month to several times a week. The specific days in the office are determined by managers based on business requirements. Rotary is under the jurisdiction of Illinois employment laws; we require all employees to live within reasonable daily commuting distance to Evanston. Organization Overview Rotary is a membership organization that unites people from all continents and cultures who take action to deliver real, long-term solutions to pressing issues facing our communities and the world. Each year, Rotary members expand their networks, build lasting relationships, and invest more than $300 million and 16 million volunteer hours to improve lives and create positive change in the world. In exchange for hard work and dedication in support of Rotary's clubs, members and other participants, and their humanitarian service projects, our employees receive competitive salaries, flexible schedules, comprehensive benefits, and job enrichment. To learn more, visit Rotary's Commitment to Belonging At Rotary, we foster a welcoming environment where all employees are valued and empowered. We are dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities and supporting the growth and well-being of our team. Join us in building a world where everyone can unite, take action, and create lasting change. Position Overview The Sponsorship and Exhibitor Relations Specialist is a full-time role responsible for securing and managing sponsors and exhibitors for Rotary International's global events. Success in this role is defined by achieving established revenue targets within the event portfolio which includes future meetings in North American and international locations. This position is part of the Meetings and Events area and reports to the Supervisor, Global Events Marketing & Promotions. Please note: This is a salaried position without commissions, designed to foster collaboration, long-term relationship building, and mission-aligned partnerships over transactional sales. This role is contingent upon demonstrated results. Success in this role will include performance metrics based on continued progress towards revenue targets for years 2 and 3. You Will Have

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, sales or business
• 3-5 years of relevant sales or business development experience
• Proven success in prospecting, securing and managing global sponsorships
• Proven success converting sponsorship and exhibitor prospects into long-term partners
• Collaborative experience within a large nonprofit organization
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Intercultural communication skills and multi-cultural sensitivity. International experience preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Familiarity with Map Your Show, Cvent and Salesforce is a plus

You Are Good At

• Developing pitch decks and sponsorship packages and communicating them via a polished process that closes sales and creates long-term partners
• Managing robust pipelines of exhibitor prospects Brand alignment, reputational risk management, and customer account management.
• Oral and written communications; must communicate concisely, persuasively, and clearly for global and corporate audiences
• Navigating environments that include multiple internal and external stakeholders, both domestic and international.
• Building and cultivating long-term relationships with co-workers, volunteers and company leadership
• Consistent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Delivering excellent customer service through effective time management, responsiveness, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities without losing focus or follow-through

You Will Be Responsible For Sponsorship Activities Support the development of a global sponsorship program focused on strategic, high-value partnerships.

• Meet or exceed annual sponsorship revenue targets
• Generate and qualify leads through proactive outreach and research; build a sustainable pipeline of global sponsorship prospects
• Develop customized sponsorship packages, pitch decks, and marketing collateral in coordination with the Supervisor, Global Events Marketing & Promotions
• Manage communication with prospects and confirmed sponsors, ensuring timely responses, meetings, and follow-ups.
• Track sponsorship progress, revenue, and deliverables; maintain accurate records for each event.
• Ensure all agreements are accurate, complete, executed, and updated by required deadlines

Exhibitor Activities Develop and execute a client management strategy to secure and support various types of international commercial exhibitors.

• Meet or exceed exhibitor revenue targets per event
• Solicit exhibitor prospects from internal and external lists; manage outreach to fill exhibition opportunities
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners and volunteers to report on outreach
• Work closely with internal teams to develop an online exhibitor sign-up application in Map Your Show
• Ensure a seamless transition from sale to service including pre-event communication and on-site execution
• Track all exhibitor communications and sales progress for reporting and accountability

Budget Development and Reporting

• Work collaboratively with Rotary International events leadership to develop sponsorship budgets and track progress towards budget
• Generate invoices and documentation for sponsors and exhibitors in coordination with the finance team
• Support post-event analysis and reporting to inform future sales and engagement strategies
• Report progress to team leadership on a weekly basis

Leadership Attributes

• Presence: Demonstrate composure and confidence.
• Communication: Be open to receiving ideas from diverse viewpoints and able to communicate messages so that they are universally understood.
• Collaboration: Builds partnerships and works jointly with others to meet shared objectives.
• Productivity: Able to generate results that moves Rotary toward achieving its goals.
• Accountability: Have a clear sense of ownership and take personal responsibility for actions.

Salary range

• $68,850 - $76,500

Why Work For Rotary?

• Generous medical, dental, and vision benefits package
• Progressive 401k matching contributions
• Above market and generous paid time off package
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• On-site cafeteria and coffee bar with special pricing for Rotary employees
• Flextime-several different work schedules to choose from
• Close to CTA, Metra, a variety of stores, and many food options

Please note:

• Rotary does not provide VISA sponsorship or relocation assistance