Description

Are you a seasoned leader in association, client, or event management with 7–10+ years of experience who is ready to shape strategy as much as execution? Are you motivated by building strong teams, strengthening systems, and helping civic and public-sector organizations thrive? Do you enjoy balancing big-picture thinking with hands-on leadership in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where relationships and quality matter? Then, we invite you to bring your experience, judgment, and leadership to Fusion Learning Partners as our next Senior Director of Catalyst Solutions Group.

 Who We Are:

At Fusion Learning Partners, we believe learning is the foundation of meaningful change—and that strong organizations are essential to thriving communities. We partner with public sector, nonprofit, and civic organizations to strengthen their capacity through strategic consulting, association and program management, events, and leadership development. Our work helps organizations convene, collaborate, and lead more effectively in service of the communities they impact. Guided by our mission and values, Fusion exists to support systems-level improvement, foster connection, and help our partners turn vision into action.

Available Position: 

Fusion Learning Partners is seeking its next Senior Director of Catalyst Solutions Group, a full-time, senior-level leadership role responsible for advancing the success of Fusion’s association and events portfolio. This position provides strategic oversight of client account management and event delivery, leads and develops a multidisciplinary staff team, and strengthens the systems, processes, and partnerships that support high-quality, scalable service across Catalyst Solutions Group. The Senior Director also contributes to organizational strategy and growth by supporting business development, evaluating prospective clients, and representing Fusion within the broader professional and civic community.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

 1.       Senior Account Executive (40%):

• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned association and program clients and as the liaison between the client and internal project team.
• Conduct comprehensive assessment to determine client objectives, history/culture, gather requirements, and analyze client, member/attendee and other stakeholder feedback and strategies. 
• Determine and onboard required project personnel (internal staff, volunteers, external providers, and/or volunteers).
• Lead or support assigned client meetings including board, committee, and planning meetings.
• Provide consultation and manage specific client strategic initiatives including membership value, revenue diversification, certification, conference/event planning, and strategic programs.
• Create and manage an annual operations plan and/or project plan that guides client activities toward attainment of strategic goals.
• Prepare and present status reports and dashboards to track progress and offer recommended solutions to enhance client success.
• Serve as the senior client lead for event-related strategy and outcomes, directly managing select events and overseeing staff responsible for event planning and execution across Catalyst clients.
• Encourage and assist volunteer leaders, including assisting with recruiting and onboarding board and committee members as needed.
• Maintain proactive and responsive communication with client staff, board members, members, sponsors, committee members, and stakeholders.
• Create a strong sense of community and collaboration with client organizations and their stakeholders.
• Proactively escalate potential client or project issues for timely resolution.
• Ensure continuity and coverage for client needs, stepping in as needed to provide temporary account leadership or project support.

 2.       Division Strategy, Systems Building & Cross-Client Infrastructure (25%)

• Lead the development and refinement of Catalyst Solutions Group processes, procedures, and tools, ensuring consistent use of best practices across clients.
• Strengthen cross-client knowledge sharing, resource alignment, and standardized workflows that support scalable, high-quality service delivery.
• Collaborate with leadership to establish division-wide goals, metrics, and service standards.
• Support the development of new tools, templates, and operational infrastructure that enhance project management, internal coordination, and client outcomes.
• Represent Catalyst’s perspective in organizational strategic planning, contributing insights that strengthen Fusion’s service delivery model and long-term sustainability.
• Promote a culture of operational excellence, continuous improvement, shared learning, and accountability across the division.

 3.       Team Development & Staff Leadership (20%)

• Lead the Catalyst Solutions Group by providing guidance, making or adjusting work assignments as needed, and overseeing quality and continuity of Fusion’s client and event services.
• Orient, train and provide ongoing professional/skills development to staff, ensuring clarity of expectations and successful performance.
• Determine and assign work, communicate how success will be measured, and ensure alignment with client goals and Fusion standards.
• Ensure staff are working under current/relevant job descriptions, updating them as needed.
• Evaluate and discuss performance informally on an ongoing basis and formally at scheduled intervals; recommend recognition when indicated.
• Approve time records, requests for time off, and expense reimbursements.
• Help employees address and resolve concerns and address performance problems through corrective actions.
• Identify and recommend the use of contract employees/interns and oversee their work as needed.
• Be responsible for staff performance and the health of the client relationships they manage, providing structured oversight, coaching, and accountability to ensure high-quality client outcomes.
• Provide senior-level oversight of the full event lifecycle across Catalyst clients, including coaching staff, while ensuring consistency, quality, risk management, and alignment with approved budgets, contracts, and service standards.

4.       Business Development & External Engagement (15%)

• Assist the CEO and other business leaders with business development by identifying and bringing forward ideas for new or expanded client services.
• Evaluate prospective clients by establishing criteria to ensure strong alignment with Fusion’s mission, values, infrastructure, and service model.
• Support or lead the development of marketing strategies, proposals, scopes of work, presentations, and onboarding due diligence.
• Represent Fusion at industry events, conferences, and professional associations, strengthening relationships and expanding visibility.
• Cultivate relationships that support client retention, new partnerships, and growth opportunities.

 Compensation/Benefits/Work Environment

The salary range for this exempt position is $80,000 – $95,000. Benefits include 401K with employer match, generous paid holiday/vacation/sick time, Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to offset health expenses and insurance, life insurance, employee assistance and gainsharing. This position is hybrid, with some in-person office time required (typically 2 days/week) as well as four to five onsite events per year. Travel to event locations is required, including local (Twin Cities Metro Area), greater Minnesota and national venues.

To view the full job description, visit https://fusionlp.org/about-us/#jobs

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to accounting@fusionlp.org

Requirements

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or certification in event planning/management, project management (e.g., PMP), or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and additional professional experience.
• Minimum 7–10 years’ experience managing client accounts, including association management.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience supervising staff and leading teams, including setting expectations, coaching performance, and supporting high-quality client delivery.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience successfully managing educational conferences, meetings, trainings, and/or large-scale events for professional audiences.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to organizational, programmatic, or business strategy, including planning, process development, or cross-functional initiatives. 
• Experience successfully using technologies for organizing, marketing and delivering professional programs (project management software, online registration systems, virtual platforms, etc.). 

 Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of local and state government, civic/community organizations, nonprofits, professional membership associations and higher education
• Experience managing nonprofit boards
• Experience working with volunteer leaders and committees
• Project management practices and processes
• Fiscal management practices & processes (budget development, implementation & reporting)
• Principles of supervision, employee engagement and staff development
• Meeting facilitation skills to prepare for and lead planning committee meetings 
• National conference or multi-state program oversight experience
• CAE, CMP, PMP, or similar professional credential, is a plus
• Outstanding written and verbal communication
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) 

 Physical Requirements:

• Be indoors, sitting at a desk for the majority of the day.
• Travel to and from event sites or meetings (primarily local, some beyond requiring overnight stays and air travel); must have driver’s license, travel documents and access to a car.
• Work some nights, weekends and early mornings as needed.
• Must be able to pack, lift, and transport program equipment and materials to and from programs.
• Must be able to set-up rooms for meetings if necessary – move some tables and chairs, set-up equipment.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds on a regular basis; up to 35 pounds occasionally.