Manager, Events & Membership

German American Chambers of Commerce; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Life insurance

Wellness program

Paid parental leave

Long-Term Disability

FSA benefits

Work from home policy

German classes

Vacation days 20–30

Job summary

The Manager, Events & Membership at GACC Midwest in Chicago leads the planning and execution of conferences, receptions, and signature events while growing the membership base.

You will coordinate logistics, manage budgets, mentor interns, and collaborate with marketing and membership teams to deliver engaging programs for German and American businesses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Event Management, Communications or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in event planning, project management, membership relations, or business development.
• Excellent English, written and verbal; German preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Experience with CRM systems, invoicing, budgeting, and vendor contracting.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and execute events including logistics, venues, catering, A/V, on-site support, run of show, and speaker notes.
• Develop and implement event strategies, engage members, drive attendance, conduct outreach, and secure sponsorships.
• Manage budgets, contracts, invoicing and payments related to events and membership activities in coordination with the accounting department.
• Collaborate with the Membership and Marketing teams to promote events and membership initiatives.
• Gather feedback and analyze event performance to improve future initiatives.
• Guide and support interns—delegating tasks, reviewing their work, and helping them grow professionally.
• Maintain 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.

Skills

Event planning

Project management

Membership relations

Business development

Vendor contracting

Education

Bachelor's degree or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

CMS/Website content management

Job description

Position: Manager, Events & Membership

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

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

Who are we?

The continuing mission of the German American Chamber of Commerce® of the Midwest (GACC Midwest/AHK USA-Chicago), a 501 (c)(6) organization headquartered in Chicago with a branch office in Michigan, is to promote and assist in the expansion of bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the Midwestern region of the United States. Our organization combines elements of a trade commission, a membership association, and a professional consultancy - quite a unique concept in international trade promotion. Read more about our organization at www.gaccmidwest.org

Our Marketing, Membership & Events team contributes to this mission by planning and delivering the 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. The team's work spans event strategy and sponsorships as well as member relations and communications.

What does this role entail?

The Manager, Events & Membership will plan and execute GACC Midwest's events and membership initiatives. This role is a great fit for a highly organized, proactive professional who thrives in event coordination, relationship management, and business development.

The position reports to the Director, Marketing, Membership & Events, and works closely with internal teams to deliver engaging events, strengthen member relations, and grow the organization's membership base. The Membership & Events team consists of three full-time employees, supported by two interns – so this role offers hands‑on ownership as well as the chance to help guide and develop our interns.

This position requires strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• 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

Who are we looking for?

• 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 languages 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

Why GACC Midwest?

At GACC Midwest, we believe that our benefits should make a difference - to you, your job, today and in the future. We are dedicated to supporting our most valuable asset, our employees!

• 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

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.