Manager/Director of Sponsorship and Business Development

About NANOG

The North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG), established in 1987 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a vendor-neutral forum for professionals involved in building, operating, and securing the Internet. NANOG fosters collaboration, mentorship, and the exchange of best practices among network engineers, architects, and technologists, promoting network reliability and performance globally. Its community includes early-career engineers and senior architects working at leading ISPs, cloud providers, and infrastructure firms.

Joining NANOG means becoming part of a dedicated, mission-driven team that supports one of the Internet’s most esteemed technical networks. The organization sustains a space where internet builders learn from one another and influence the future of networking through sponsorship, education, and event programming.

Role Overview

This position is designed for a strategic and relationship-oriented professional who will spearhead growth in sponsorship sales across NANOG’s conferences and initiatives. Balancing business development with community values, the role aims to expand resources while preserving NANOG’s vendor-neutral, technically focused culture.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual sponsorship strategy targeting both current sponsors and new market segments.
• Cultivate enduring partnerships with mission-aligned organizations such as network operators, cloud providers, hardware manufacturers, and infrastructure innovators.
• Design sponsorship packages and engagement activations that provide value and maintain NANOG’s vendor-neutral environment.
• Collaborate extensively with internal teams including event operations, marketing, and program committees to ensure effective sponsor experience delivery.
• Monitor sponsorship performance and feedback to continuously enhance sponsor satisfaction and retention.
• Manage all phases of the sponsorship lifecycle from lead generation, communications, contracting, through to delivery.
• Use online tools, CRM platforms, and AI engines to optimize lead sourcing, prospect engagement, and contract administration.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in sponsorship sales, corporate partnerships, or technology/nonprofit event management, with familiarity with contracting and fulfillment processes.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills emphasizing a consultative and relationship-first approach.
• Understanding or keen interest in technical audiences and willingness to deepen technical knowledge.
• Availability to travel to three or four conferences annually.
• Proactive in developing new relationships through online prospecting and research; existing Internet infrastructure and network operations contacts are advantageous.
• Competence with digital tools including CRM and sales automation, Google Workspace, and AI-powered research systems.
• Detail-oriented and ready to engage hands-on within a small team environment.

Why You Should Join NANOG

• Be part of a reputable nonprofit dedicated to advancing the future of Internet operations.
• Engage with a passionate, knowledgeable technical community that values authenticity and cooperative spirit.
• Benefit from autonomy, flexible work conditions, and the opportunity to create enduring impacts.
• Contribute meaningfully to a mission that fosters education, innovation, and connectivity within the network operations sector.

Additional Information

Location is fully remote within North America. The role reports directly to the Executive Director. Travel to a limited number of annual conferences (3 to 4) is expected. Applications require submission of a resume, a brief cover letter or statement of interest, and salary expectations by July 24, 2026. Salary and job title remain flexible based on candidate experience.