Reports to: Senior Division Director                                                      

Location: Chicago, IL

Exempt?Hours: 37.5 hours/week (8:30 AM–4:30 PM)

Direct Reports: 0

Travel: Approximately 20–25%

Salary Range: Starting level at $75,000 

Join a Mission That Matters
The American Burn Association (ABA) is the leading multidisciplinary organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by burn injury through prevention, care, rehabilitation, research, education, advocacy, and quality improvement.

We are seeking an energetic, relationship-driven, and entrepreneurial professionals for our new role, Senior Specialist, Industry Partnerships & Business Development, to help advance the ABA's mission through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, exhibits, advertising, and innovative revenue-generating opportunities.

This is more than a business development role. It is an opportunity to help shape the future of burn care by connecting industry partners, healthcare leaders, researchers, survivors, and organizations around initiatives that improve patient outcomes and strengthen the burn community.
Based in ABA's Chicago headquarters within the historic Chicago Board of Trade Building, this position operates within a collaborative hybrid work environment and works across multiple divisions to support the Association's strategic plan, organizational growth, and long-term sustainability. 

Why This Position Matters
The ABA is entering an exciting period of growth and innovation. As we expand our educational programs, quality initiatives, registry activities, advocacy efforts, workforce development programs, research collaborations, and strategic partnerships, we are seeking someone who can help identify opportunities, cultivate meaningful relationships, and generate resources that support our mission.
This position plays a unique role at the intersection of:
Strategic partnerships 
Business development 
Sponsorship and exhibit sales 
Healthcare innovation 
Member engagement 
Mission advancement 

Success in this role is not measured solely by revenue generated, but by the ability to create meaningful partnerships that strengthen the burn community, enhance member value, support strategic initiatives, and contribute to the long-term success of the Association.

What You'll Do
Working closely with ABA leadership, volunteers, industry partners, exhibitors, sponsors, and staff, you will help identify, develop, and support opportunities that advance both mission and revenue.
You will contribute to initiatives involving:

• Industry Partnerships & Revenue Growth
• Sponsorships and exhibits
• Strategic corporate partnerships
• Digital advertising and marketing opportunities
• Educational program sponsorships
• Webinar and virtual learning partnerships
• Annual Meeting revenue opportunities
• New business development initiatives
• Strategic Programs & Mission Advancement

You will help identify partnership and sponsorship opportunities that support:

• Burn prevention and safety initiatives
• Workforce development and mentorship programs
• Research and scientific advancement
• Rehabilitation and survivorship efforts
• Quality improvement and verification programs
• Advocacy and public policy initiatives
• Disaster preparedness and response activities
• Educational programming and professional development
• Innovation & Future Growth

The ABA continues to explore opportunities related to:

• Registry and data-driven initiatives
• Benchmarking and quality programs
• Publications and scientific communications
• Clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements
• Future philanthropic and foundation initiatives
• Emerging partnerships that support the burn care continuum
• You will have an opportunity to help shape and grow many of these efforts.

What Success Looks Like
Successful candidates will:

• Build trusted relationships with sponsors, exhibitors, and industry partners.
• Create new opportunities that support ABA's strategic priorities.
• Help grow diversified revenue streams that strengthen organizational sustainability.
• Support member value through meaningful industry engagement.
• Bring ideas, energy, creativity, and collaboration to the organization.
• Serve as a connector between mission, partnership, and opportunity. 

Who Thrives in This Role
This position is ideal for someone who:

• Enjoys meeting new people and building relationships.
• Likes identifying opportunities and turning ideas into action.
• Is equally comfortable supporting projects and leading initiatives.
• Wants to contribute to a growing organization.
• Values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Is motivated by mission-driven work that makes a meaningful difference

At ABA, we believe our greatest opportunities come from strong relationships, bold ideas, and people who are excited to help build something meaningful. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Healthcare Administration, Nonprofit Management, Event Management, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 4  years of progressively responsible experience in association management, sponsorship sales, exhibit sales, business development, corporate relations, account management, fundraising, partnership development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining professional relationships that support organizational growth, member engagement, sponsorship revenue, or strategic partnerships.
  Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems, sales tracking platforms, association management systems (AMS), or similar tools to manage accounts, opportunities, and engagement activities.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and support revenue forecasting and budgeting efforts.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Willingness to travel approximately 20–25% annually, including attendance at ABA meetings, conferences, and partner events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a healthcare association, medical society, nonprofit organization, healthcare system, foundation, or membership-based organization.
• Experience supporting annual meetings, exhibits, sponsorships, advertising sales, educational programming, webinars, or industry engagement initiatives.
• Knowledge of sponsorship development, exhibitor recruitment, digital advertising, corporate partnership programs, or fundraising activities.
• Experience working with volunteer leaders, committees, boards, task forces, or multidisciplinary stakeholder groups.
• Experience supporting healthcare quality programs, registries, benchmarking initiatives, publications, scientific programs, or educational activities.
• Familiarity with budgeting, revenue forecasting, sponsorship fulfillment, and non-dues revenue management.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), or other relevant professional certification preferred but not required.

Key Qualities

• Relationship builder who enjoys connecting people, organizations, and opportunities.
  Strong customer service orientation with a commitment to responsiveness, professionalism, and partnership.
• Strategic thinker capable of identifying new opportunities that support both revenue generation and mission advancement.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to develop creative ideas, partnerships, and solutions.
• Effective communicator comfortable engaging executives, clinicians, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, vendors, and industry leaders.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail, follow-through, and project management skills.
• Collaborative team player who values transparency, trust, and shared success.
  Adaptable and resilient in a dynamic environment with evolving priorities and opportunities.
• Self-motivated and accountable with strong initiative and sound judgment.
• Comfortable balancing both leadership and support responsibilities depending on organizational needs.
• Curious, innovative, and committed to continuous learning and professional development.
• Mission-driven with a genuine interest in advancing burn care, prevention, rehabilitation, research, education, advocacy, quality improvement, and patient outcomes.
• Excited by the opportunity to contribute to a growing organization and expand responsibilities over time.

About American Burn Association

The American Burn Association is a not-for-profit professional membership organization. Our mission is to improve the lives of everyone affected by burn injury. Our over 2,000 multi-disciplinary members include physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, fire fighters and others who are part of the burn care team. Our staff of 13 works collaboratively as a team, and closely with our dedicated volunteers, to advance the field through education, research, improving quality care, advocacy, prevention and member services. We are located in the Chicago south loop just blocks from the train station. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as disability and life insurance and a 401k matching program. Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran

Connections working at American Burn Association