About the Position

Position: Manager, Events & Membership

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Salary Range: $58,000 – $68,000 / year

Travel Required: Occasional local/regional travel for events, member meetings, and site visits; some evenings and weekends for events

About the Company

The German American Chamber of Commerce® of the Midwest (GACC Midwest/AHK USA-Chicago) is a 501 (c)(6) organization headquartered in Chicago with a branch office in Michigan. Our mission is to promote and assist in the expansion of bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the Midwestern region of the United States. Our Marketing, Membership & Events team contributes to this mission by planning and delivering conferences, networking receptions, and signature events that connect German and American businesses across the Midwest, and by building and growing the membership programs that keep that community engaged year-round.

Read more about our organization at www.gaccmidwest.org.

Responsibilities

Plan, coordinate, and execute GACC Midwest's events, including logistics, venue management, catering, A/V setup, on-site event support, run of show, and drafting of speaker notes.
Develop and implement event strategies, identify trends in transatlantic business to engage members, drive attendance, conduct outreach, and secure sponsorships.
Develop and manage budgets, review event contracts, and handle invoicing and payments related to events, sponsorships, and membership activities in coordination with the accounting department.
Collaborate closely with the Membership and Marketing & Communications teams to promote events and membership initiatives.
Gather and analyze feedback on events and membership programs to continuously improve future initiatives.
Prepare reports on membership activities and event performance.
Guide and support our team's interns - delegating tasks, reviewing their work, and helping them grow professionally.
Maintain and update the CRM system, ensuring accurate records and documentation of communication.
Represent GACC Midwest at Chamber and partner events, building connections with members and stakeholders.
Communicate proactively on project timelines and contribute ideas for process improvements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Event Management, Communications, or a related field (demonstrated success and experience in the field accepted in lieu of a degree).
3-5 years of experience in event planning, project management, membership relations, or business development.
A reliable, hands-on self-starter who takes ownership and follows through.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects at once.
Excellent English, written and verbal. German language skills preferred.
A strong customer-service mindset with a talent for building and maintaining relationships.
Familiarity with vendor contracting, invoicing, budgeting, and financial tracking.
Experience working with CRM systems and maintaining accurate records.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and website content management.
Comfortable mentoring and supporting junior team members or interns.
Willingness to attend events outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, and to travel as needed for member meetings, site visits, and events.

We Offer

Team spirit instead of rigid hierarchies
Competitive vacation policy, starting with 20 days, increasing with seniority up to 30 days
14 paid holidays including Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, plus additional days around Thanksgiving and Year End
Health insurance with multiple plan options and networks (United Healthcare HMO, PPO, HSA) & Guardian dental and vision
401(k) matching with a competitive, discretionary employer contribution
Company-paid Life Insurance + AD&D/additional voluntary life + AD&D (also for spouse and children)
Wellness incentives: access to fitness center and complementary yoga classes
Paid Parental Leave
Company-paid Long-Term Disability
FSA Health Care and dependent care
FSA commuter (transit and/or parking)
Goal oriented bonus plan
Plus: Work from Home Policy, Flex-Time Policy
Professional development and German classes

About GACC Midwest

We welcome and encourage diversity in our workforce. GACC Midwest is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. Potential employees are subject to background checks.

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Manager, Events & Membership

Job description