Account Manager, Signature Events

MDA Overview
At MDA, we believe our biggest asset is our combination of different backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines united to form one high‑performing team. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, we ensure that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships, and resources necessary to learn, grow, and thrive. What we do starts with our people and the neuromuscular disease community we serve. As America’s largest voluntary health organization covering research, healthcare, and advocacy for people with neuromuscular diseases, MDA is leading the way in improving the quality of life for those living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, spinal muscular atrophy, and dozens of related disorders – many first discovered and diagnosed by MDA‑supported scientists and clinicians.

Department Overview
The Signature Events team is a dynamic and successful team responsible for cultivating new and existing participation and developing relationships to further MDA’s mission. This role will cultivate positive relationships with business leaders within the community, volunteer committees, and corporate and community supporters.

The Signature Events department is also responsible for planning and executing fundraising events, development operations, and volunteer engagement. Through community and corporate‑led events such as golf tournaments and galas, the team’s overarching goal is to raise critical funds in a cost‑effective manner. This is done by adhering to event best practices, operational efficiencies, and creative integration of volunteers into every aspect of fundraising. The Signature Events department is part of the Community Partnerships business unit that is responsible for relationship management to retain donors and fiscal management to ensure best practices are employed to keep margins (net revenue after expenses) for all summative fundraising activities above 70%.

Position Overview
The Account Manager, Signature Events, is responsible for developing new and existing participation through relationship development and leading complex execution of golf and gala events assigned within the department. This position will take full ownership of these initiatives, managing everything from logistics, marketing strategy and communications to budget oversight and relationship management. This position directly drives our revenue growth and pipeline development.

This position reports directly to the Senior Director, Signature Events.

Location
This is a remote position with occasional travel requirements. Candidates should expect to travel 30% between local and overnight as a part of their role. To be considered, applicants must reside in the greater Chicago area.

Salary
Salary range: $60,000 - $65,000. Final offer amounts and levels are determined by multiple factors, including your experience, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Responsibilities

Identify, recruit and develop new and recurring volunteer committee members, providing ongoing support and guidance that will help advance fundraising goals

Collaborate with Signature Events team to develop a fundraising strategy, timelines, and goals

Manage fiscal accountability, following the Business Plan, including providing accurate monthly projections within assigned focus area

Cultivate robust relationships and accountability frameworks to drive supporter engagement and ensure a clear, impactful articulation of our mission

Create event experience opportunities at in‑person events to increase donor engagement and drive revenue growth

Create fundraising opportunities through various development techniques including prospecting, targeted follow‑up, and new lead generation

Work closely with other internal departments to engage the MDA community and current stakeholders in our programs

Deliver organized, structured, and persuasive presentations, using effective written and verbal communication

Lead ongoing strategy discussions within team to prioritize responsibilities, appropriately delegate tasks and ensure goals are on target to be achieved

Quickly identify obstacles and propose mitigating forward‑facing solutions

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required

3+ years of successful business development and account management experience required

Familiarity with not‑for‑profit associations preferred

Experience with solutions selling and consultative sales approaches

Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communications skills and political acumen to establish and maintain good relationships

Strong skills to meet predetermined goals and objectives

Significant planning experience and ability to conceive, design, implement, evaluate, and manage account programs and strategies

Excellent analytical, critical thinking, problem solving, negotiation and marketing skills

MDA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

MDA Benefits
For full‑time employees

Medical, Dental and Vision insurance with prescription coverage

Health Savings Account with contribution matching and Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and/or dependent care

Paid sick leave

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

100% contribution towards basic life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability

Optional additional life insurance and dependent life insurance available

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with company match

Generous paid time off policy, with an increasing accrual rate schedule

Paid holidays

Standard 35‑hour work week with flexible hours

Remote, work from home opportunities

Professional Learning and Development opportunities, including Leadership skills

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