Membership Sales Manager

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) promotes and educates consumers and opinion leaders about organic products throughout the United States and Canada, and also seeks to promote the benefits and programs of OTA to its members and potential members.

Position Overview:

The primary objective of this position is to grow membership in the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The Membership Sales Manager has overall responsibility for small and mid level membership acquisition, and will provide full support to senior level staff to close high level, key member prospects. The Membership Sales Manager will be the primary representative of OTA at key outreach opportunities and will be expected to travel as required. The Membership Sales Manager will work closely and collaboratively with the Membership Manager and support staff to achieve a net growth in the association, based on current measures.

Supervisor: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Responsibilities: 

• Functions as a creative member of OTA's team; shares information effectively to assist others in doing OTA's work. Builds positive and strong relationships with other OTA staff. Demonstrates personal responsibility in job performance.
• Supports OTA's mission and purpose through the activities of the department. Is able to think strategically while also managing the day-to-day functions of the membership sales program.

Functions:

1. Develops an effective program with COO to increase membership in collaboration with the multi-department "membership team".
2. Qualifies, prioritizes, and strategically responds to prospective members.
3. Manages and motivates the "top-to-top" membership sales plan involving the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and OTA Board members, and ensures follow up.
4. Develops and manages multiple membership campaigns, including analyzing results, preparing and presenting reports, and implementing new strategies and programs. Works closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Public and External Relations on pertinent strategic issues and member outreach with the Associate Director of Communications.
5. Manages activities to identify prospective members, using websites, trade publications, events, education programs, etc. Makes decisions regarding priority of potential members and prospect marketing approaches.
6. Effectively organizes and utilizes the OTA membership and prospects database with staff with key database responsibilities. Keeps records of outreach activities and outcomes. Documents all member and prospect interaction on a weekly basis. Provides activity reporting to COO. Assist with measurables reporting to the board of directors.
7. Builds and maintains strong customer relationships. May conduct welcome calls to new members and assist with calls to expiring members, especially to those whom he/she recruited into OTA.
8. Stays apprised of industry trends, association activities, policies, and other relevant information. Understands the impact of this information on the member/prospective member and relates in a manner they can clearly comprehend.
9. Travel required as needed. Position requires 10%-25% travel to represent OTA before potential members and at relevant events. Must maintain a valid driver's license.
10. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and 3 or more years of successful sales, marketing or business experience. Association or organic industry experience preferred.

Skills:

Required proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. High degree of competency with internet and e-mail applications. Excellent interpersonal and customer communications skills. Demonstrated strong business writing skills. Ability to prioritize work and to meet deadlines. Skilled in following up with prospective customers, communicating a compelling value proposition, and being persistent to be able to close sales. Self-starter who can work independently with good judgment, as well as be part of a collaborative team. Must be available for periodic extended travel, up to one week per month.

To Apply: 

Applications accepted until position is filled.  Please submit a cover letter and resume by email to: Stella Sexton, HR Department, Organic Trade Association. 

EOE