Manager, Events & Membership

Position

Manager, Events & Membership

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

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

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 cmidwest.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 sponsor ships as well as member relations and communications.

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.

• 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 sponsor ships
• Develop and manage budgets, review event contracts, and handle invoicing and payments related to events, sponsor ships, 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

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…