Senior Association Manager

About BUKSA

BUKSA / Conferences + Associations has spent over 30 years earning a reputation for doing what most association management firms can't: combining disciplined operations with genuine member care, so our clients' leadership can focus on their mission, not their to-do list. We partner with professional associations across Canada, managing everything from governance and finance to member engagement, events, and day-to-day administration. Our clients describe us as a partner that brings "structure, clear communication, and consistent systems", and the confidence that nothing will fall through the cracks. We're a boutique team with big-agency capability, and we're proudly 100% Canadian and women-owned and operated.

About The Position

This is a new, full-time role based in Calgary, created to give our clients a single, dedicated lead and to support BUKSA's continued growth in the market.

• You are the primary person on the account. The client speaks to you directly, and you carry the relationship from day-to-day questions through to board-level strategy. You attend meetings, events, and client conversations in person, and you're the one people picture when they think of BUKSA. You bring your own judgement to the table, proactively identifying issues and making recommendations rather than waiting to be asked.
• You are not doing this alone, and you are not expected to handle the administrative load yourself. Teammates help handle memberships, database work, and the other administrative details behind your files, and you direct that work rather than perform it. Every file you lead is staffed this way: you as the client-facing lead, paired with consistent junior or administrative support in the background. For communications and promotional work, you may be supported by another BUKSA colleague.
• You'll also lead association-hosted events and conferences in your portfolio, being present on-site for setup, delivery, and client interaction throughout.

Location + Hours

• This is a full-time position based in Calgary. You'll need to be available in-person for client meetings, board and committee sessions, and events, including some early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Operating mostly within the standard hours (8:30 am to 5 pm MT) Monday to Friday, with flexibility in how you structure your day around client needs.

Compensation

• $80,000-85,000 commensurate with experience. Additionally, we offer generous paid vacation time and a comprehensive extended health benefits package.

Accountabilities

Client Ownership

• Be the primary point of contact for your clients. Field their questions directly and know the file well enough that they rarely need to go elsewhere within BUKSA.
• Provide informed guidance on strategy, governance, policy, and not-for-profit operational best practice, bringing in senior BUKSA team members when additional expertise adds value.
• Own the annual association timeline and contract scope, checking regularly that delivery matches the client agreement.
• Watch for opportunities to grow the relationship and BUKSA's footprint with the client, and flag them to the Director of Strategic Initiatives.

In-Person Leadership

• Attend Committee, Board, and AGM meetings in person and or virtually, leading discussion and managing logistics and technology on-site.
• Represent BUKSA at client events, industry socials, and relationship-facing occasions such as golf tournaments.
• Be the visible, consistent face of BUKSA for the clients.

Board and Meeting Support

• With the rest of the Edmonton team - prepare and distribute meeting materials including agendas, minutes, slides, and reports.
• Issue approved minutes, certificates of participation, and other required documentation after meetings.

Coordinating Membership, Data and Systems

• Direct your teammate's priorities on memberships, CRM/AMS work, and database upkeep, so the detail is handled without becoming your job.
• Review membership surveys and program evaluations and translate findings into recommendations for the client.

Finance and Sponsorship

• Develop and maintain the annual association budget and oversee financial management, including invoicing, expense tracking, and adherence to internal financial processes.
• Lead sponsorship strategy and stakeholder management, including sales follow-up, sponsor relationships, and benefit fulfilment; prepare and submit grant applications as applicable.

Communications and Promotions

• Set direction for member newsletters, social content, and promotional collateral, working with the office team to get it produced.
• Maintain oversight of association website content and the relationships with web hosting, developers, and IT support providers.

Awards and Funding Programs

• Lead association award and funding programs end to end, from calls for nominations through application review, recipient notification, and recognition coordination.

Conference and Event Leadership

• Lead on association conferences and events in your portfolio, on-site from setup through delivery.
• Other duties as required.

Skills and Other Requirements

• Undergraduate degree or diploma from an accredited institution, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in association management, not-for-profit operations, client relations, or a similar people-facing role. Backgrounds in communications or client-facing consulting are welcome.
• Comfortable being the public face of an organization, at ease with boards, sponsors, and senior stakeholders in person.
• Comfortable with AI tools and eager to adopt new technology; we're building an AI-first team and expect every staff member to contribute to that evolution.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to direct support staff rather than only manage your own workload.
• Strong written communication skills; you'll be drafting reports and client-facing correspondence regularly.
• Experience with CRM or AMS platforms, event registration systems, and tools like sli.do and SurveyMonkey considered an asset.
• CAE or CSAE designation, or working towards one, considered an asset.
• Experience working with or supporting boards, committees, or governance processes considered an asset.
• Driver's license and own vehicle required.
• The ability to attend client meetings and events in person when required.

BUKSA supports staff growth through mentorship from senior team members and exposure to a broad range of client sectors. Should you wish to grow with us, there will be room to take on more senior files as you build experience.

Ready to Apply?

Email your resume and cover letter to careers@buksa.com with the position name in the subject line.

• In your cover letter, tell us why this role is the right fit - and what you'd bring to the BUKSA team. Please note that applications without a cover letter and/or submitted via Linkedin will not be considered.