Sales Support Specialist

Air & Space Forces Assoc•Arlington, VA

23d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Sales Operations Manager (SSOM), the Sales Support Specialist provides essential support in sales fulfillment and customer service functions for the Air & Space Forces Association’s (AFA) Sales Department. This role assists the SSOM and Sales Representatives in all aspects of AFA’s commercial revenue and related marketing initiatives. AFA’s commercial product portfolio includes contractually sold sponsorships, advertising, digital, and event-based offerings across marquee events, owned media platforms, thought-leadership programs, and emerging revenue streams. The Sales Support Specialist is responsible for specialist-level execution of tasks, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality service for internal stakeholders and external clients. The SSOM is the primary point of direction and prioritization for this role. The Sales Support Specialist works closely with the SSOM, VP of Sales, Sales Representatives, Marketing, internal product subject matter experts (SMEs), and clients to ensure seamless support and fulfillment across all revenue generating initiatives.

Requirements

At least three (3) years of experience in marketing, communications, business, hospitality management, customer success, or a related field.
Project management and logistics coordination experience.
Ability to maintain exceptional attention to details in complex events and projects and manage all related functions.
Strong ability to prioritize, produce, and remain calm in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills
Ability to be a forward-thinking strategist and tactician.
Experience with, or ability to develop, financial analysis skills.
Ability to effectively utilize interpersonal skills and reliable information when working with internal customers, team members, and external stakeholders to accomplish project goals.
Strong customer service orientation.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability and commitment to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Proficient with Microsoft Office product suites (especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and knowledge or ability to learn other computer-based systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing events with similar stakeholders and partners as AFA, i.e., military and industry partners, association members.
Experience with the transition of traditionally in-person events to online environments.

Responsibilities

Serves as primary support for the SSOM and provides general support to the Sales team.
Collaborates with the SSOM to manage external customer interactions and internal coordination across the Sales Department.
Provides responsive customer service for all exhibitors, sponsors, and advertisers, troubleshooting issues, maintaining positive relationships, and ensuring satisfaction.
Supports the Sales team in the use of business platforms, including Intacct, DocuSign, Asana, Envision, Constant Contact, and the ongoing adoption of a CRM to manage enterprise-wide sales data.
Maintains master source documents for contracts and asset language.
Assists with financial tracking of sponsorship and exhibit sales and expenses.
Contributes to the management of sponsorship, advertiser, and exhibitor databases and materials, including prospectuses, contracts, priority points, and websites.
Acts as a key contributor in the execution of sales deliverables, financial reconciliation, and customer service for AFA’s commercial revenue streams.
Works closely with the SSOM to manage sponsorship fulfillment, ensuring all contractual requirements and production timelines are met.
Supports execution of sponsorship deliverables on-site at events.
Coordinates communication between clients and internal subject-matter experts to ensure seamless fulfillment of contractual deliverables.
Manages the fulfillment of advertising agreements by requesting artwork, coordinating interviews, and liaising with ad agencies as needed.
Other Duties as assigned