Head of Business Development and Membership

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators) is a national trade association representing the full auto industry—from manufacturers of most vehicles sold in the U.S. to autonomous vehicle innovators, equipment suppliers, battery producers, and semiconductor makers—a sector supporting 11 million American jobs and five percent of the U.S. economy. As Head of Business Development and Membership, you will diversify and grow revenue by packaging Auto Innovators’ core assets into sellable programs that reduce reliance on member dues while strengthening Auto Innovators’ ability to convene industry leaders, inform policymakers, and support members in a rapidly evolving industry.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and leading a team of two, you will develop and execute revenue strategies across events and sponsorships, strategic partnerships, subscription products, and membership. You will work with an existing portfolio of products and events that includes targeted industry convenings and policy-focused forums; access to senior industry leaders; tiered membership structures and board-level engagement opportunities; Allied and Academic Partnership Programs that connect organizations with Auto Innovators’ members and partners; and a substantial body of proprietary analysis and research briefings. You will assess the performance and revenue potential of this portfolio, scale what is working, and build new offerings where opportunity exists.

This is a high-visibility role that depends on frequent interaction with members, partners, and prospective stakeholders to cultivate relationships and establish partnerships that deliver sustained financial returns. This position is ideal for a business development leader who performs well in relationship-driven, consultative sales environments, is curious about what stakeholders need, and has the leadership skills to align a small team around clear priorities while personally driving the partnerships that matter most.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Using Auto Innovators’ relationships, industry intelligence, and internal expertise, you will identify what sponsors, partners, and members need, translate those insights into monetizable programs supported by clear business cases, and drive opportunities from initial conversations through launch. In your first 1-2 years, you will:

• Meet and exceed targets in year-over-year non-dues revenue growth while improving the overall financial contribution of business development activities through effective pricing, strong portfolio management, and focus on high-value opportunities.
• Ensure all events and convenings are consistently revenue-positive by collaborating across communications, policy and advocacy, and external affairs functions to increase program value for sponsors, strengthen sponsorship structures and tiers, and support sustainable financial performance.
• Support the recruitment and retention of top-tier members by converting qualified prospects into premium membership models and clearly articulating the business and policy value of participation in Auto Innovators.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• This role offers a hybrid work environment, including presence at Auto Innovators’ Washington, DC headquarters at least three days each week, combined with frequent in-person engagement with sponsors, partners, members, and industry leaders.
• The budgeted salary range for this position is $220K – $250K with an outstanding benefits package including generous PTO; medical, dental, and health insurance plans; 401(k) with employer contribution and profit sharing; tuition reimbursement and professional development; employer-paid cell phone plan; flexible spending account; short- and long-term disability; life and AD&D insurance; and more.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute multi-year strategies to diversify and grow non-dues revenue across events, sponsorships, partnerships, membership tiers, and monetizable research and analysis offerings. Align strategy with Auto Innovators’ policy priorities, industry trends, and member needs.
• Assess the performance of Auto Innovators’ existing portfolio of programs and products; scale high-performing initiatives and recommend sunsetting or redesign of underperforming offerings.
• Establish key performance indicators to measure program ROI and portfolio health. Provide revenue reporting, analysis, and recommendations to the CFO, executive leadership, and Board.
• Strategically engage the President & CEO and other senior leaders in priority relationship development and major deals.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify monetizable themes, ensure strong program packaging, and deliver on sponsor and partner commitments.
• Represent Auto Innovators at industry events and forums to expand the organization’s visibility and influence.

Events & Sponsorships

• Oversee the revenue strategy for Auto Innovators’ convenings, policy forums, executive roundtables, and industry events.
• Design and commercialize value-based sponsorship packages that align corporate partners with relevant policy and industry themes.
• Build and manage a year-round sponsorship pipeline, personally leading cultivation and closing of high-value sponsorship relationships.
• Use event performance and sponsor engagement data to inform pricing, packaging, and program design.

Strategic Partnerships

• Identify, structure, and grow strategic partnerships with corporations, research institutions, and other stakeholders aligned with Auto Innovators’ policy priorities and industry focus areas.
• Evaluate current partnership program models, including the Allied and Academic programs, and recommend adjustments based on market demand, mission alignment, and return on investment.
• Evaluate potential monetization opportunities with the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) and expanded partnership with the Partners for Automotive Vehicle Education (PAVE).

Membership

• Lead the strategy for membership growth, retention, and tiered engagement models. Translate policy, advocacy, and research impact into clear, compelling value propositions for current and prospective members.
• Oversee the pipeline of prospective members from various sources (conference contacts, cold outreach, member referrals, inbound inquiries) and ensure appropriate follow-through. Close deals for the premium membership tier, Autos+ Leadership, that offers Board representation.
• Work with the senior leadership team to identify at-risk members based on engagement levels in working groups and meetings, and direct efforts to retain them.

New Product Development

• Identify opportunities to develop new revenue-generating programs based on Auto Innovators’ research, policy expertise, convening power, and industry networks.
• Evaluate new concepts for market demand, financial viability, and strategic alignment; pilot and scale successful initiatives.

Team Leadership

• Mentor and develop the Sr. Manager, Membership and the Manager, Product and Business Development, providing strategic direction, clear priorities, and performance expectations.
• Maintain effective internal processes to support pipeline management, coordination, and execution of business development activities.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of experience driving revenue growth through partnerships, sponsorships, and membership within a trade or professional association or similar.
• Experience building and sustaining executive-level relationships with corporate partners and industry leaders in consultative, relationship-driven sales environments.
• Proven leadership of small, high-performing teams, including setting strategic direction, aligning priorities, and supporting professional growth and accountability.

About the Alliance for Automotive Innovation

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation represents the full auto industry, a sector supporting 10 million American jobs and five percent of the economy. Active in Washington, D.C. and all 50 states, the association is committed to a cleaner, safer and smarter personal transportation future. Auto Innovators works with policymakers to support cleaner, safer and smarter personal transportation that helps transform the U.S. economy and sustain American ingenuity and freedom of movement.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.