Council Director

SEMA Education; Diamond Bar (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is hiring a Council Director who will lead volunteers, develop programs for member councils, and drive engagement across in‑person and virtual events. The role requires strategic planning, staff coordination, and strong communication with industry partners.

Based in Diamond Bar, CA, you will work on-site with travel up to 30% and report to the Sr. Director, Member Engagement.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field strongly recommended.
• Experience managing volunteer boards and committees.

Responsibilities

• Lead councils and networks to set goals and plan activities.
• Plan and execute in-person and virtual events for members.
• Recruit, onboard and develop volunteers.
• Ensure compliance with antitrust and governance policies.
• Provide regular progress reports to leadership.

Skills

Management experience

Project management

Volunteer leadership

Event planning

Not-for-profit experience

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Organization Overview

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and Performance Racing Industry (PRI) together represent the heart of the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries. United by a passion for cars, trucks, SUVs, and racing of every kind, these organizations support a vibrant global marketplace that spans performance parts, advanced racing technologies, restoration, restyling, and the full spectrum of specialty automotive innovation.

Details

Posted: 04-Aug-26

Location: Diamond Bar, California

Type: Full Time

Salary: $100,000 - $110,000

Categories

Education/Training

Preferred Education

4 Year Degree

Organization Overview

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and Performance Racing Industry (PRI) together represent the heart of the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries. United by a passion for cars, trucks, SUVs, and racing of every kind, these organizations support a vibrant global marketplace that spans performance parts, advanced racing technologies, restoration, restyling, and the full spectrum of specialty automotive innovation. SEMA is a dynamic, business-minded nonprofit trade association made up of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, builders, publishers, race teams, and more—an industry ecosystem powering a nearly $53-billion-a-year retail market. Through industry-leading programs, advocacy, research, and world-class events—including the annual SEMA Show, one of the largest automotive trade shows in the world—SEMA helps its members grow, innovate, and succeed. PRI extends this influence into the global racing marketplace. Since 1986, PRI has been the premier source of business intelligence, cutting-edge technology insights, and community connection for racing professionals. The annual PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis brings together over 1,000 exhibiting companies and thousands of racing stakeholders across every major discipline, supported by PRI’s industry-leading advocacy, media platforms, education programs, and year‑round engagement. Together, SEMA and PRI fuel the success of thousands of businesses, connect industry professionals worldwide, and preserve and grow the future of automotive performance and racing.

Purpose

Serve as a category expert and advocate for the association during industry events. Responsible for the development and growth of strategic member groups. Lead volunteer groups toward the achievement of annual goals and objectives. Research and assist in the development of programs to properly market and maintain existing special segments of the aftermarket. Enhance growth through creative design and execution of activities for assigned councils and networks.

• Must willing to work on-site at either: Diamond Bar, CA Office or Detroit, MI Office

Responsibilities And Authority

Work with the council or network leadership to:

• Identify and address issues and challenges related to the council, network, and/or industry segment.
• Work with volunteer leadership to facilitate monthly select committee and subcommittee teleconferences and long-range planning (LRP) meetings, including ensuring strategic discussions, developing agendas and other relevant affairs common to council meetings.
• Develop new initiatives from concept to benefit delivery to value assessment.
• Coordinate the implementation of annual council elections, as required by the member groups.

Execute Numerous In‑person And Virtual Events That Provide Opportunities For Members To Network, Learn, And Promote Their Personal And Company Brands. This Includes Events At The SEMA And PRI Shows. Events May Require

• Requesting contracts
• Planning food & beverage
• Assisting with the creation of marketing materials to advertise and secure attendees
• Reporting, tracking and follow up communication

Lead The Council Or Network’s Volunteer Development To

• Recruit ongoing and special needs of volunteers using multiple tools.
• Onboard and train volunteers using SEMA designed resources.
• Assist in the management of volunteer resources, reporting, conflict management, recognition and off boarding.

Serve as project manager, as necessary, on all council-related programming, to include but not be limited to

• Identifying and recruiting project teams. When necessary, lead the development of a cross functional team (CFT).
• Establishing mutually agreed upon team goals, objectives, and timelines.
• Development of project charter and coordination with the Project Management Office.
• Management of project timelines, resources, and budgets.
• Strategic planning of short & long‑term goals

Membership Outreach, Including But Not Limited To The Following

• Monitor new SEMA member enrollments to identify potential council and network members or volunteers.
• Identify and assist with the recruitment of companies, volunteers, and industry leaders to join and participate in the council(s) and related activities.
• Assess opportunities to improve member engagement to move members from casual, to connected to committed SEMA members & member companies
• Track and report on membership data

In partnership with the PR team, facilitate and monitor council-related online open and private discussion groups hosted on social media websites (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc.).

Research, Draft Messaging And Prepare For Production Council And Industry Segment Newsletters And Promotional Materials For, At a Minimum, The Following

• SEMA.org and SEMAshow.com websites
• SEMA eNews
• Program-related eBlasts to council‑specific audiences.
• Press release drafts
• Provide oversight of council and network membership data in the association’s member database (Nimble) and work with IT to maintain its integrity.

Provide regular reports on progress toward individual and council goals and objectives.

Prepare regular reports on the status of council and network achievements, resources and budgets.

Oversee council and/or network activities, provide direction and guard against antitrust activities or other actions that could result in liability to SEMA.

Be Knowledgeable On And An Advocate For

• SEMA, the trade association.
• The organization’s volunteers and volunteer leadership.
• The key players and latest trends related to the council(s) market category.
• All member benefits, programs and services offered by the association.
• New or existing programming provided by the association for the membership.
• When directed by management, perform other assignments and duties as required.

Relationships

• Reports to Sr. Director, Member Engagement.
• Interfaces with all levels of staff.
• Interfaces with Association members and assigned councils.

Pay Range: $100,000 - $110,000

Primary Skills & Requirements

• A minimum of five (5) years of management experience.
• 4-year college degree required. Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, media relations or related field is strongly recommended.
• Experience managing volunteer boards and committees
• Experience planning and executing in person and virtual events
• Project development and management experience preferred.
• Effective supervisory and leadership skills.
• General understanding and experience working in a not-for-profit setting led by a strong volunteer base.
• Ability to thrive working with challenging personalities.
• Skilled communicator with strong organizational and facilitation skills.
• Team player who is willing to embrace new ideas and demonstrate an ability to change and grow as required by the position.
• Understand association policies, bylaws, meeting procedures, recording meeting minutes and related activities.
• Knowledge of the automotive aftermarket and its specialty segments preferred.
• Travel requirements up to 30%.
• Be proficient in all Microsoft Office applications and association management software.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all‑inclusive list of all responsibilities, skills, relationships, or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.

About Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

A love for cars, trucks and SUVs is the motivating force behind the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). This trade association consists of a diverse group of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, publishing companies, auto restorers, street‑rod builders, restylers, car clubs, race teams and more. Our organization performs many services for its members and for the hobby as a whole. Perhaps most importantly, SEMA works hard to protect consumers’ rights to drive accessorized, customized and vintage vehicles. Every year, SEMA also presents an enormous trade show in Las Vegas. This is where manufacturers unveil their latest offerings, while buyers, distributors and members of the press walk their feet off to see it all. Visit SEMAShow.com for more information.

Connections working at Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

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