Kellen is a global management and communications company serving more than 125 trade associations, professional societies, and charitable organizations representing over 10,000 companies and 100,000 professionals worldwide. We specialize in management, communications, digital strategy, meetings and events, and consulting across a diverse range of industries.
Founded in 1964 and charter-accredited through the AMC Institute, Kellen has offices in Atlanta, Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, DC.
Kellen's greatest asset is its employees. In order to reinforce the culture underpinning our approach to service delivery, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. Our professionals hail from more than a dozen countries and speak more than two dozen languages. We are invested in finding, hiring, training, and promoting the very best to be #OneKellen.
This position can be filled in Chicago, IL or Washington, DC.
General Purpose of the Position
Following Kellen Best Practices, the AD manages the day-to-day operations of one or more association clients, serving as Executive Director or Association Manager to oversee strategy, operations, and initiatives related to Board facilitation, membership, communications, conferences and meetings, and financial oversight.
Essential Functions
Board Management and Strategy
Provides leadership to and interacts with the Board of Directors and committees, attends meetings and prepares agendas and minutes as appropriate.
In conjunction with Board President and/or outside consultant, facilitates strategic planning and oversees execution of plan, regularly communicating progress to Board.
Aids Board President in identifying Officers, committee chairs, and other leaders and representatives with skills and experience that aligned with the current and future needs of the organization and assists with on-boarding.
Continuously identifies and communicates to Board specific opportunities for organization to expand its influence and/or market.
Member Programs and Services
Implements programs and campaigns to attract new members and/or subscribers.
Identifies and develops new programs and benefits to meet the evolving needs of members.
Oversees development of membership standards.
Creates and maintains partnerships/relationships with related industry organizations to increase awareness and grow membership.
Conference and Meeting Management
In collaboration with Board and Meetings Manager, develops strategy for frequency, location and type of meeting and conferences events to optimize and support the organization’s programmatic, services, and product offerings.
Supporting Meetings Manager and conference planning committees, develops detailed project plan, and oversees its implementation through team of event coordinators, marketing, speakers, professional technical support vendors, and local officials. Establishes contingency plans for all aspects of possible failure.
Plans and controls event budgets.
Fundraising, Marketing and Outreach
Oversees development and distribution of association publications, including advertising sales.
Oversees association partnerships and coordinates relevant marketing deliverables.
Supports grant-writing and solicitation efforts of the association, as needed.
Financial Oversight
Works in conjunction with association Controller to prepare annual budget in alignment with strategy and goals of the association.
Advises Board of unexpected, impactful deviations and recommends adjustments and cost containment strategies.
Monitors compliance with association contracts and negotiates renewals.
Approves monthly expenses.
Other duties that align with the mission and vision of the company.
Qualifications
Bachelors’ degree in business administration, marketing, communication, human resources, finance, or other related discipline, plus 5 to 7 years’ experience in similar capacity.
Association management experience preferred, as well as CAE.
Demonstrated experience in supervision of professional and administrative staff and day-to-day operations of human resources activities.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with financial management, budgeting, and oversight of organization- wide budgets of at least <$750,000 or more.
·Polished communication skills, both written and verbal, and interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution.
Strong computer skills with proficiency in spreadsheet, word-processing, database, and presentation software applications. Experience with associate management software desired along with the ability to learn new software packages.
Ability to interface with executive leadership, establish credibility and build effective relationships.
Strong customer service orientation and the ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels of the organization.
Effective planning and organization skills to effectively manage multiple client relationships/associations at any given time. Reliability to maintain established schedule, manage time and priorities, and meet commitments and deadlines.
Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to set priorities based on customer needs and organizational priorities and preferences and develop solutions to client challenges.
Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to effectively manage through change and transition.
Proactive and collaborative working style.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with poise, tact and diplomacy.
Ability to stay abreast of client industry trends and assimilate new job-related information appropriately.
Experience working with and motivating a volunteer workforce desired.
Supervision Exercised
May supervise Associate Account Executive. If so, carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Physical Demands
This job operates in a hybrid work office environment with a two day in-office requirement.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required; this would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
This position requires frequent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
This position requires basic math skills to calculate formulas, commissions, discounts, etc.
Travel Requirements
Travel may be necessary, up to 20% of the time and may be by travel by air, car, rail.
Kellen EEO Statement
Kellen does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of Kellen to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances where a particular employee works.
An equal opportunity, professional services firm with a primary concentration in association management and communications. Additional services include meetings and conference management, digital marketing and strategic advice. Kellen Company is made up of 300 employees from a wide variety of professional disciplines. It has seven offices in Atlanta, Brussels, Beijing, Chicago, Kansas City, New York City and Washington DC.