Conference Business Manager

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARYPosition Title : Conference Business ManagerDepartment : Conference BusinessReports to : Events DirectorAbout the Organization : The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world, representing the interests of more than 550,000 nurses who are charged with caring for acutely and critically ill patients. AACN is dedicated to creating a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and families where acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. Visit us online at http : / / www.aacn.org.AACN is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed by or seeking employment with AACN on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex and gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), ancestry, national origin, age (40 or older), disability (mental and physical), military or veteran status, marital status, medical condition, or genetic information and any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation.Application Instructions : Interested individuals can visit our Careers Page and apply for the Conference Business Manager role. Any questions can be directed to : jobs@aacn.org. The position is eligible for remote. Some travel may be required.

Position Purpose : The Conference Business Manager is accountable for strategically leading the development and implementation of AACN’s conference content to achieve expected results for live and virtual events. This position provides leadership to staff and volunteer experts in identification, development, and dissemination of innovative programs and products related to face-to-face and digital conferences. In addition, this position oversees processes to ensure that all AACN accreditation, education, and recognition products are compliant with regulatory standards.

Main Accountabilities :

Ensures authentic leadership and development of team members.

Coaches and creates opportunities for individual and group development. Provides meaningful recognition for a job well done.

Role models and integrates established team norms into work processes and relationships.

Promotes and upholds all Human Resources processes and systems.

Assures effective operational leadership

Manages and / or oversees staff, volunteer and fiscal resources to assure departmental and organizational outcomes are achieved. Oversees the negotiation and implementation of contracts for subject matter experts, partners and suppliers.

Working collaboratively, contributes to development of strategies and plans for future products and programs.

Works collaboratively with other departments to establish and implement product promotion plans aligned with association marketing and communication strategies.

Assures effective systems and support for comprehensive development, implementation and analysis of conference products and services.

Working collaboratively, develops, implements and evaluates integrated project plans to meet defined outcomes. Evaluates and adjusts program and project priorities as necessary.

Ensures consistent compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards and adult learning principles.

Establishes essential metrics, tracking and reporting to drive decision-making and ensure product performance meets expected outcomes. Ensures effective use of trends, comparisons and benchmark data to support evaluation, decision making and improvement of program performance and processes.

Directs the development, implementation and support of conference systems to optimize the customer experience.

Working in collaboration with other departments, establishes effective volunteer and customer support mechanisms, including methods to provide information (web pages, customer alerts) and to listen to customers (communities of practice, product surveys).

Other assignments as assigned.

Skills Required :

The ability to lead complex, multi-phase conference initiatives (both live and virtual), from concept through evaluation, while aligning with broader organizational goals. This includes developing and implementing integrated project plans, managing budgets, timelines, and resources across departments and external partners.

Strong capability to lead and coach both staff and volunteer contributors, fostering professional growth, team cohesion, and performance. This includes modeling leadership behaviors, providing meaningful feedback, and ensuring alignment with team norms and HR processes.

Expertise in applying adult learning principles and maintaining compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards relevant to educational programming and conference content.

Skill in using metrics, benchmarks, and customer feedback to assess program impact, inform decisions, and continuously improve conference offerings. This includes establishing systems to track performance and drive meaningful outcomes.

Proven project management, with emphasis on planning, design, launch and evaluation of products / programs.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong facilitation skills

Ability to develop and control a department budget.

Strategic thinker and problem solver with an analytical orientation.

Demonstrated negotiation skills.

Proven skills working within a cross-functional team environment.

Strong leadership skills and abilities to include : uphold healthy work environment standards, team building, mentoring, motivating others, active listening, interpersonal communication, encouraging and supportive, trustworthy, coaching, emotional intelligence, sound decision-making, communicating effectively, conflict resolution, and building and maintaining relationships, demonstrating exemplary professional and ethical standards.

Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Education and / or Experience :

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Masters degree, a plus.

Experience leading cross-functional teams in the creation of successful new initiatives and products that meet or exceed organizational objectives related to customer satisfaction, growth and loyalty,and financial health.

Minimum 10 years operations management, product management or related experience with a focus on design, developing, and delivering high-quality educational products and services preferred.

Previous track record of creating and executing business plans that support departmental and organizational strategies.

Knowledge of digital-based learning, blended learning and program development preferred.

Experience with content and event management platforms, a plus.

Physical Requirements :

The demands described here represent those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Frequently communicates and interacts with others, in person and over computer and phone; frequently required to talk and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment, if located in the office, is usually quiet to moderate. Frequent sitting. Prolonged periods of sitting / standing at a desk and working on a computer. Operate standard office equipment and keyboard. Occasionally required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or reach with hands and arms. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment, if located in the office, is usually quiet to moderate. Mental stamina for problem-solving and prioritizing multiple tasks. Ability to recall, interpret, and apply oral / written instructions; remain alert and coherent to take action. Ability to travel.

Total Compensation :

The target pay range for this role is $131,468 - $164,335

• In addition to the salary range listed, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at AACN even more rewarding. Benefits include generous paid time off, low-cost health plans for medical and mental health services, dental, and vision, company paid life and short-term disability insurance, a variety of other benefits, and retirement savings program with employer matching and additional company contribution. AACN is committed to a people-centered culture of workplace excellence and belonging, and offers various alternative and flexible work arrangements to support work / life balance for our team members.