Manager/Director of Sponsorship and Business Development

NANOG is seeking a Manager/Director of Sponsorship and Business Development to help expand the reach and impact of our Internet engineering education programs. This is a high-impact role for a professional who enjoys building relationships and uncovering new opportunities.  Come help us secure the resources needed to ensure NANOG continues to work for the individuals who are building the Internet of tomorrow.

Location: Remote within North America

Reports to: Executive Director

Since 1987, the North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG), a 501(c)(3) educational organization, has convened the professionals who build, operate, and secure the Internet. As a nonprofit, vendor‑neutral organization, NANOG provides the leading forum for Internet engineers, architects, and technologists to learn from one another, collaborate on best practices, and strengthen the reliability and performance of networks worldwide.

Through its programs, NANOG fosters authentic connection among network operators, researchers, and industry leaders. The environment is highly technical yet welcoming, known for candid discussion, mentorship, and a strong sense of community. Participants range from early‑career engineers to senior architects at major ISPs, cloud providers, and infrastructure companies.

Working with NANOG means joining a small, mission‑driven team that supports one of the most respected technical communities in the world. Every initiative, whether sponsorship, education, or event planning, helps sustain a space where the people who run the Internet can learn from one another and shape its future.

We’re looking for a relationship‑driven, strategic professional to lead sponsorship sales growth and development across NANOG’s conferences and initiatives. This role will suit someone who thrives at the intersection of business development and community engagement - someone who can grow revenue while honoring NANOG’s vendor‑neutral, technically focused culture.

• Drive Sponsorship Growth: Design and execute NANOG’s annual sponsorship strategy across conferences and special programs from within NANOG’s traditional base of sponsors and new markets.
• Build Lasting Partnerships: Cultivate relationships with organizations that share NANOG’s mission—network operators, cloud providers, hardware vendors, and infrastructure innovators.
• Shape Sponsor Experiences: Create packages and activations that deliver value while respecting the integrity of NANOG’s technical vendor-neutral environment.
• Collaborate Across Functions: Work closely with event operations, marketing, and program committees to ensure seamless sponsor engagement and delivery.
• Measure and Improve: Track performance, analyze feedback, and refine offerings to strengthen sponsor satisfaction and long‑term retention.
• Pay attention to Detail: Execute the sponsorship process from lead generation through prospect communications to contract signing and sponsorship delivery.
• Manage and Improve Prospecting Process: Leverage online tools, CRM and AI engines to optimize lead generation, prospect communications and contract management. 

This is a big list and we know that candidates may not bring every one of these qualifications. 

• Background in sponsorship sales, corporate partnerships, or technology/nonprofit events, along with an understanding of sponsorship contracting processes and fulfillment logistics.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with a consultative, relationship‑first approach.
• Understanding of technical audiences - or curiosity and willingness to learn deeply.
• Comfort with travel to 3–4 conferences per year.
• Desire to build new relationships through online prospecting and research.  Existing relationships within the Internet infrastructure and network operations ecosystem is a plus.
• Experience with online tools such as CRM and sales automation systems, Google applications and AI/online research tools.
• Ability to roll up your sleeves and pay attention to detail - we’re a small team.

• Join a respected nonprofit that shapes the future of Internet operations.
• Work with a passionate, technically sophisticated community that values authenticity and collaboration.
• Enjoy autonomy, flexibility, and the chance to build something lasting.
• Contribute to a mission that matters—advancing education, innovation, and interpersonal connectivity within the network operator community.

Interested in joining the team? Please send your resume, a brief cover letter (or statement of interest), and your desired compensation range to careers@nanog.org by July 24, 2026.  We offer flexibility on both title and compensation based on your level of experience.