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Advertising & Sponsorships Manager

Reports to: Director of Audience Engagement

Classification: Full-time, exempt

Salary: $60,000- $70,000 plus Commission based on sales

Location: Minneapolis, hybrid, or fully remote

Travel: Occasional travel within the U.S. to ACC meetings and events

Hours: Monday-Friday, with occasional nights and weekends

 

About the American Craft Council

The American Craft Council is a nationwide, membership-based nonprofit working to foster livelihoods and ways of living grounded in the artful work of the human hand, creating a more joyful, humane, and regenerative world. Building upon an 80+ year legacy of tradition and innovation, ACC is part of a growing coalition of organizations, makers, and advocates at the forefront of a movement that supports craft-centered livelihoods and ways of living—an American craft renaissance.

Mission & Vision
Photo by Max Franz

Position summary.

The Advertising & Sponsorships Manager is responsible for driving revenue through the sale of print and digital advertising space, including within print issues of American Craft magazine, as well as event and program sponsorships throughout the year. This revenue-focused role involves building and maintaining relationships with clients, developing advertising and sponsorship strategies, and achieving sales and sponsorship targets. The Advertising & Sponsorships Manager plays a vital role in promoting ACC’s equity and inclusion initiatives. The individual best fit for this position will join the American Craft Council at a pivotal moment in its history and will join a visionary team dedicated to celebrating and advancing the rich tradition of American craft, all while carving out a path for future success and engagement. 

The Advertising & Sponsorships Manager will report to the Director of Audience Engagement and will work closely with members of the marketing, events, and editorial teams. 

Responsibilities.

As our organization and the fields we are part of evolve, so may this role. These duties may change as ACC’s leadership identifies the need at any time.

    • Proactively identify and engage potential advertising and sponsorship clients including businesses, brands, and individuals. 
    • Conduct market research to identify new advertising and sponsorship opportunities and industry trends. 
    • Build and maintain relationships with existing clients, ensuring their satisfaction and fostering long-term partnerships. 
    • Develop advertising and sponsorship strategies tailored to meet client objectives and budgets. 
    • Prepare and deliver sales or pitch presentations to showcase solutions and negotiate favorable contracts. 
    • Collaborate with internal teams to ensure the successful execution of ad campaigns and sponsorship activation. 

    • Coordinate the implementation and execution of advertising campaigns, ensuring adherence to deadlines and quality standards.
    • Coordinate and oversee the execution of deliverables as part of event or program sponsorships.
    • Oversee in-kind trade partnerships.
    • Collaborate with the Director of Audience Engagement to oversee media sponsorships or partnerships.
    • Monitor and analyze campaign performance, providing clients with regular reports and recommendations for optimization. 
    • Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging advertising technologies to enhance campaign effectiveness. 

    • Oversee and provide feedback on ACC’s sponsorship strategy, collaborating with internal teams to evolve to fit client needs and organizational growth.
    • Maintain accurate records of sales activities, client interactions, and revenue forecasts. 
    • Prepare regular sales reports and presentations for management. 
    • Collaborate with the finance department to ensure timely and accurate billing and payment processes. 

Desired qualifications.

This position is a good fit for someone who has: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Event Marketing, Business Administration, Communications, or a related field. 
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in advertising sales or related roles, with a proven track record of achieving sales targets (magazine publishing experience a plus).
  • Strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility. 
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build rapport and effectively influence clients. 
  • In-depth knowledge of advertising principles, practices, and industry trends. 
  • Familiarity with various advertising platforms, including digital, print, and social media. 
  • Proficiency in CRM software and sales management tools. 
  • Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven recommendations.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. 
  • Self-motivated and results-oriented, with a proactive approach to problem-solving. 

ACC is willing to teach about:

  • The craft field and ACC’s history, programs, and services. 
  • Policies, procedures, and ways of work common to the nonprofit sector or specific to ACC. 

Apply today.

If this position sounds like a good fit, we want to hear from you! Please send your cover letter and resume to employment@craftcouncil.org with the subject letter matching the job title above.

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ACC is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. We value diversity, inclusiveness, and equity and welcome candidates from all walks of life.