Association Executive Jobs
Association executive jobs are open across trade associations, professional societies, nonprofits, and chambers of commerce, from coordinator and director roles to CEO and EVP, with specializations in membership development, government affairs, and conference management. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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As a dedicated professional services company, we offer solutions to organizations, such as association management, public affairs, marketing, meeting management, education, and strategic communication. Leveraging our expertise across diverse industries including healthcare, food and beverage, buildings and materials, and technology, as well as our global perspective with a presence in North America and Europe, we collaborate with over 100 organizations to help achieve their goals.
Understanding the importance of a strong and effective Board of Directors, we offer customized management solutions that address the unique needs of each organization we partner with.
Position Summary
Essential Functions
Board Management and Strategy
- Provides leadership to and interacts with the Board of Directors and committees, attends meetings and prepares agendas and minutes as appropriate.
- In conjunction with Board President and/or outside consultant, facilitates strategic planning and oversees execution of plan, regularly communicating progress to Board.
- Aids Board President in identifying Officers, committee chairs, and other leaders and representatives with skills and experience that aligned with the current and future needs of the organization and assists with on-boarding.
- Continuously identifies and communicates to Board specific opportunities for organization to expand its influence and/or market.
Member Programs and Services
- Implements programs and campaigns to attract new members and/or subscribers.
- Identifies and develops new programs and benefits to meet the evolving needs of members.
- Oversees development of membership standards.
- Creates and maintains partnerships/relationships with related industry organizations to increase awareness and grow membership.
Conference and Meeting Management
- In collaboration with Board and Meetings Manager, develops strategy for frequency, location and type of meeting and conferences events to optimize and support the organization’s programmatic, services, and product offerings.
- Supporting Meetings Manager and conference planning committees, develops detailed project plan, and oversees its implementation through team of event coordinators, marketing, speakers, professional technical support vendors, and local officials. Establishes contingency plans for all aspects of possible failure.
- Plans and controls event budgets.
Fundraising, Marketing and Outreach
- Oversees development and distribution of association publications, including advertising sales.
- Oversees association partnerships and coordinates relevant marketing deliverables.
- Supports grant-writing and solicitation efforts of the association, as needed.
Financial Oversight
- Works in conjunction with association Controller to prepare annual budget in alignment with strategy and goals of the association.
- Advises Board of unexpected, impactful deviations and recommends adjustments and cost containment strategies.
- Monitors compliance with association contracts and negotiates renewals.
- Approves monthly expenses.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, communication, human resources, finance, or related discipline preferred.
- 5-7 years of experience in a similar capacity.
- Preferred experience in association management and CAE. Food industry experience a plus.
- Demonstrated supervision of professional and administrative staff.
- Expertise in day-to-day operations of human resources activities.
- Knowledge and experience in financial management, budgeting, and oversight of budgets $750,000.
- Polished written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.
- Proficiency in spreadsheet, word-processing, database, and presentation software.
- Experience with associate management software desired, quick learner of new software.
- Ability to interface with executive leadership, establish credibility, and build effective relationships.
- Strong customer service orientation and effective interaction with staff at all levels.
- Effective planning and organization skills for managing multiple client relationships/associations.
- Reliability in maintaining established schedule, managing time and priorities, and meeting commitments and deadlines.
- Creative and strategic thinker prioritizing customer needs and organizational preferences.
- Flexibility, adaptability, and proactive, collaborative working style.
- Ability to handle confidential information with poise, tact, and diplomacy.
- Experience working with and motivating a volunteer workforce desired.
Physical Demands
This position operates within an office environment. The physical demands outlined below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully fulfill the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Hybrid Work Environment: All employees located within commuting distance of one of Kellen’s offices are required to go in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Flexibility in going into the office additional days may be necessary.- Extended Work Hours: The nature of this role may require more than 40 hours per week to fulfill job responsibilities. Additionally, flexibility in working nights and weekends may be necessary. Longer hours, travel, and weekend commitments are typically associated with conferences or special events.
- Office Equipment Usage: The role routinely involves the use of standard office equipment, including but not limited to computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
Travel Requirements
Kellen EEO Statement
The pay range for this role is:
70,000 - 80,000 USD per year(HQ)
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Who's Hiring



What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in association executive jobs.
- Five or more years of nonprofit or association management experience at a senior level
- Demonstrated success in membership recruitment, retention, and engagement programs
- Experience managing board relations, committee structures, and governance processes
- Proficiency with association management software such as Salesforce, iMIS, or YourMembership
- Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, communications, or a related field
- Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from ASAE preferred or required
Tips for Your Association Executive Job Search
Tailor your resume to governance language
Association executives are evaluated on board relations, committee oversight, and fiduciary accountability. Replace corporate management language with terms like board governance, member engagement, and strategic planning to signal you understand how associations operate.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists association executive openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Highlight membership growth metrics specifically
Hiring committees want concrete evidence you can grow and retain a member base. Quantify retention rates, dues revenue trends, or new chapter launches you led rather than describing membership programs in general terms.
Target associations in your subject-matter area
Associations strongly prefer executives with industry fluency. If your background is in healthcare, construction, or technology, prioritize openings at associations serving those sectors before casting a wider net.
Prepare a governance philosophy statement
Many association executive interviews open with questions about staff-board dynamics and executive director authority. Draft a concise statement on how you support board leadership without overstepping, so your answer is consistent and confident across every panel.
Negotiate with the full compensation picture
Association executives often have room to negotiate conference budgets, professional development funds, and housing allowances in addition to base pay. Know which non-cash items matter most to you before the offer conversation begins.
Association Executive Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most association executives?
The companies hiring the most association executives right now include SmithBucklin, Kellen Company, and Playfly Sports, with the largest share of openings in Nevada, Maryland, and Oregon, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Trade associations, professional societies, and chambers of commerce account for the majority of active postings.
How many association executive jobs are remote?
About 75% of association executive openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though availability varies significantly by role type. Government affairs directors and membership strategy roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring frequent board meetings or large-scale event oversight are more often on-site or hybrid.
How do you become an association executive?
Start by building experience inside an association, whether in membership, communications, or program management, so you understand the governance structure from the inside. Move into a director-level role with direct board exposure, then pursue the Certified Association Executive credential through ASAE to signal readiness for executive-level responsibility. Most association executives reach their first CEO or executive director role after a decade of progressively senior association work.
How do you get hired as an association executive with little experience?
Start with association coordinator or program manager roles at smaller state or local chapters, where you'll gain direct exposure to board relations and member services faster than at large national organizations. Volunteer for committee leadership within your professional network to build a governance record, and frame any nonprofit or membership-facing work you've done in association-specific terms when you apply.
What does the association executive interview process look like?
Most association executive searches involve an initial screening call with an HR contact or search committee liaison, followed by a structured panel interview with board members and senior staff. Finalists typically present a strategic vision document or respond to a scenario about a governance challenge. Reference checks are thorough and often include former board chairs, so prepare contacts who can speak to your leadership of a board relationship specifically.
Where can I find and apply to association executive jobs?
You can find and apply to association executive jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and industry focus, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 6 Association Executive Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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