Manager Relationship

Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) – Melbourne VIC As Manager Relationship & Partnerships, you will spearhead WIOA's partner strategy, deepen stakeholder relationships, and collaborate across events, marketing, and membership to deliver measurable outcomes. You'll report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and lead a small team to execute partner initiatives end‑to‑end. Our ideal candidate will have experience working within the water industry and desirable experience working for associations in addition to proven experience in sponsorship, membership, and exhibition management. Candidates must have a minimum of 5+ years of experience working within the water industry. Senior level sponsorship management experience is essential for this role. Work Location Flexible: If you live within 1 hour of a major Australian airport, you could be a great fit for our fully remote team. Key Roles and Responsibilities Sponsorship Management Secure all key sponsorship opportunities for our annual conferences across VIC, QLD, and NSW Manage sponsorship lifecycle: advertising, appointment, invoicing, payment follow‑up, and relationship management Maintain accurate sponsorship details in event manuals and Exhibitor info packs, including logos and branding Membership Engagement Drive membership growth and retention nationally across existing and new industries Actively engage Members through outreach, events, and relationship‑building initiatives to increase satisfaction and participation Run Advisory Committee and Group meetings Deliver Interest Days Exhibition Management Ensure all exhibition sites are sold out for each event Ensuring exhibitions are consistently full and growing year‑on‑year by building strong Exhibitor relationships and delivering exceptional event experiences Oversee end‑to‑end Exhibitor management: advertising, allocations, payments, inductions, OHS compliance, bump‑in/out, and onsite support Design and maintain exhibition floorplans in Events Air, ensuring accurate Sponsor/Exhibitor placement Manage event components relating to Exhibitors, including the facilitating on‑site Exhibitor inductions, and acting as host for the Exhibitors' Dinner, including presentations and awards Reporting & Process Building Deliver high‑level quarterly reports to the CEO, including budget performance and revenue development Develop annual budgets by April of each year for the following Financial Year Build out and document the sponsorship and exhibition management process Contribute to strategic planning with measurable outcomes, suggestions for improvement and maintain readiness for future leadership opportunities (including CEO succession) Our ideal candidate will have Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills to build and maintain strategic partnerships Excellent written and verbal communication for proposals, presentations, and relationship building Ability to travel interstate and intrastate as needed for client meetings and events Proficiency in accounting and invoicing software (e.g., Xero) for handling partnership agreements and financial tracking Effective management of multiple projects and skilled at handling concurrent partnership negotiations, client onboarding, and reporting tasks while maintaining quality and timeliness Experience working cross‑functionally with marketing, finance, and events to deliver partnership strategies and achieve shared objectives Self‑motivated and driven with a proven track record of initiating and driving business development projects without constant supervision, meeting targets, and deadlines consistently You will need an Australian Drivers Licence and be able to commute to a main airport as some interstate travel is required Australian work rights: Candidates must be Australian citizens or permanent residents Why WIOA? The Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) is a not‑for‑profit member‑based organisation dedicated to supporting operational staff and their employers in the water industry. We deliver training, conferences & events, resources, and networking opportunities to help our members stay connected, share knowledge, and grow professionally. Our culture is collaborative, inclusive, and focused on making a real difference in the industry and the communities we serve. At WIOA, you'll work closely with industry leaders and contribute to projects that matter—whether it's improving water quality, supporting sustainability, or advancing operational excellence. How to Apply If you're ready to bring your skills, energy, and ideas to a team making a difference, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now with your resume and a brief cover letter telling us why you're the right fit for this role. To see how this role will support our association, have a look at the highlight reel from our 2025 Victorian Conference & Exhibition below. Applications close at 4pm on Monday, 12 January 2026. You will need to be available for a virtual interview on either Monday 19, or Tuesday, 20 January 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr