Green Business Network Deputy Director

Co-op America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a just and sustainable society by harnessing economic power for positive change.  Our unique approach involves working with consumers, investors and businesses.  Our workplace reflects our goal of creating a more cooperative, environmentally sound economy.  We have a participatory decision-making process, which aims to build consensus within the departments and teams.

Co-op America's Business Division currently includes seven staff members and serves over 4,000 green business members.  The Co-op America Green Business Network (GBN) is the first, largest, and most diverse network of accredited green businesses making commitments to social and economic justice, healthy local communities, and environmental sustainability in the U.S.

The Co-op America Green Business Network is the business membership program of Co-op America.  The mission of GBN is to carry out one of the four primary strategies of Co-op America -- to help socially and environmentally responsible businesses emerge and succeed.  We accomplish this by providing our businesses members with the opportunity to:

• Expand their markets through promotion and consumer education - including Co-op America's National Green Pages and Green Festivals
• Deepen their socially and environmentally responsible business practices;
• Market their social and environmental responsibility more effectively;
• Network to strengthen their businesses and grow the green business movement through GBN's popular online business community and Green Business Conferences
• Gain access to money-saving benefits and services;

Position Overview:

This position will work closely with the GBN Director to advance the Green Business Network through outreach, marketing and web development. This is an excellent position in non-profit management and an unparalleled leadership opportunity in the field of socially responsible business.

Responsibilities:

General Management  (20-25% of time)

1. Work with the GBN Director and GBN Staff to develop overall GBN strategy, annual operating plans and budget
2. Supervise GBN staff and performing annual reviews as required by Co-op America Personnel Policy.
3. Work with GBN board representatives to create more feedback from GBN members into the strategy and planning for GBN
4. Develop an advisory council of GBN members for greater involvement of GBN members in development of GBN and fundraising for GBN

Manage GBN New Member Acquisition and Renewals (20% time)

1. Develop, write and implement new member recruitment strategy.
2. Develop, write and implement renewal strategy.
3. Develop the new SIF member strategy and implement and determine the screening interface.
4. Supervise the GBN Member Services staff.
5. Responsible for $200-300,000 budget in 2008 (not including SIF membership) projected growth $300-500,000 within two years.

Manage and Implement the GBN Web Site and Communication Strategies (25%)

1. Develop new web resources that work for GBN - new web site - tools - articles - green bus advice - etc.
2. Develop and evolve our current communication strategies - GBN list serv - to a vibrant online community.
3. Write the monthly communications with GBN  -email strategy - Connections 
4. Supervise the tech support staff/and or consultants  to assure that the web and communication streams are implemented.

Outreach and Branding  (10%)

1. In our 25th anniversary year - 2008 - we will develop and execute a new branding campaign - this position will be the key implementer.
2. Will also insure that our Co-op America Seal of Approval is being used to strengthen our brand and our members' businesses
3. Spokesperson and representative for GBN - at conferences and workshops (not our own)

GBN Conferences and Green Festivals  (10-15%)

1. In partnership with the Division Director -

• Develop conference programming. Insure that the conferences meet the needs of GBN members and other businesses as they attempt to adopt green/sustainable business practices.
• Develop advisory conference committees of GBN members to help develop ideas for and deeper participation of GBN members in the GBN conference 

     2.  Work with the Green Festival team(s) in the area of exhibitor     relations and interface.  Insuring that there are high quality interactions between Seven Star's team and GBN members.  Responsible for all reconciliation of monies owed to Co-op America (per our agreements.)

Manage Special Projects (5%)

Oversee/manage any special projects that arise including the research and due diligence process. 

Development of new royalty programs (5%)

These are programs that are marketed to GBN members and Co-op America receives a royalty stream from.

General Staff Responsibilities(5%)

      A.  Participate in general staff meetings, the annual Operating Plan process and Fulfillment parties/sessions.

      B.  Serve on Co-op America special team and committees as needed.

Qualifications: 

• Experience in working with socially and environmentally responsible businesses -- Interest in working with/learning about the socially and environmentally responsible business community
• Proven marketing, membership development and/or fundraising skills
• Proven collaborative management and facilitation skills and supervisory experience; track record of mentoring and developing staff teams
• Proven ability to work in highly collaborative environment
• Excellent writer and editor; excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Experience with web site development
• Web/ photoshop (graphic design), online content management (contribute/dreamweaver), social networking experience desirable
• Membership services skills.
• Experience with Database management and ample experience with Excel, Access, and Word;
• Project management; ability to learn quickly and synthesize a large amount of information. Experience in managing multiple projects and concurrent deadlines.
• Public speaking experience; enjoy/comfortable speaking in public
• Budgeting experience
• Experience with working with networks, boards and creating advisory committees
• Ability to travel 6-8 times a year /a couple trips could be 5-10 days.
• Bachelor degree with at least five years work experience; MBA, or masters level work in related fields; e.g. sustainability, economic development, preferred

Compensation: Benefits include medical, dental, vacation, sick days, holidays, mental health days, pre-tax childcare credit, flexible hours.

To Apply: 

Please email resume to Denise Hamler, Director Green Business Network.

Co-op America,
1612 K Street, NW Suite 600, 
Wash DC 20006

Co-op America is an equal opportunity employer.  People of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

http://www.greenfestivals.org/

http://www.coopameria.biz/