Vice President, Membership and Meetings

How to Apply:

Send us your resume, examples of work, and a cover letter to HR@aspb.org. Click on the Send Email button to apply. The job is not advertised on ASPB's website.

Summary

The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is seeking a senior association vice president to oversee the society’s membership program, as well as its in-person and online meetings and conferences. The position is part of the organization’s Executive Team and reports to the CEO. The Vice President, Membership and Meetings directly supervises the Society’s membership and meetings/conference teams, which currently consist of a staff team of two full-time positions and one half-time position that is split with other departments across the organization, as well as external consultants whose work they are responsible for directing and evaluating. The person in this role will help advance our mission and strategic goals by providing executive and strategic leadership in support of several high profile and intricate programs and events requiring ongoing interaction with others on the executive team, as well as in governance and membership. To create high-quality, surplus-generating annual meetings and other activities, the Vice President, Membership and Meetings will collaborate with internal and external cohorts. The position also acts as a committee liaison to the membership and program committees and is a crucial part of the strategy for growing the ASPB’s membership by offering direction, efficient management, and oversight of the member experience. They will develop the vision and plan for establishing real, lasting connections with ASPB members across platforms and throughout the global community that ASPB serves. In addition, the Vice President, Membership and Meetings collaborates across the organization to help ensure synergy among all programs and offerings; to help develop new, revenue-generating products and programs; and to ensure that all ASPB’s programmatic work emphasizes equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The Vice President, Membership and Meetings will always operate in accordance with ASPB’s Mission and Values.

Why Work for Us?

We have a stable full virtual work environment, and we know that happy employees drive our company’s success! We have a great family friendly atmosphere, and we offer flexible schedules, flex-spending accounts for health and dependent care, and a generous family leave policy.

Overview

The Vice President, Membership and Meetings will oversee the development of revenue- and results-oriented products and services in the membership, conference, and educational areas. Their responsibilities include the development of online and in-person conferences, workshops, and webinars; digital event strategy; growth of ASPB’s membership; support for grant writing and grant-funded projects; and engagement with and development of ASPB’s regional and special-interest sections. The incumbent will nurture relationships with key society stakeholders, and they will contribute to the development and implementation of the society’s strategic plan. The Vice President, Membership and Meetings will play a significant role on ASPB’s executive team and will work closely with others on that team, as well as with outside partners and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

General

• Help set ASPB’s strategic direction and goals as a member of the executive team and a trusted professional liaison with the society’s governance
• Manage and nurture a vibrant team of employees and consultants involved in supporting membership growth and retention, as well as new and existing educational and conference programs
• Coordinate development of revenue and expense budgets for meetings and membership cost centers, collaborating with membership and meetings team members, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
• Evaluate current programs and activities in light of market demands and revenue goals; propose and design new revenue-generating programs and schemes that address gaps while hewing to ASPB’s mission
• Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Content and Communications and Vice President Business Development to achieve brand consistency and effective messaging
• Work together to develop and monetize new and existing content streams on Plantae, ASPB’s networking and content platform
• Assist the CEO, Board of Directors, Program Committee, Membership Committee, and other designated committees with staffing as needed
• Work together with management, governance, and employees to write and submit grant proposals to government agencies and private foundations and to ensure the success of funded programs
• Other duties as assigned

Membership

• Undertake a refresh of ASPB’s member value proposition, collaborating cooperatively with other employees and governance committees to do so
• Work together with the executive team, membership committee, employees, and the board to develop a strategic framework to boost member engagement by listening to what they have to say, by forming partnerships with the community, and by ensuring that programmatic excellence is aligned with ASPB’s mission, vision, and goals
• Collaborate with your team to create and implement strategic member recruiting and retention strategies, with measurable metrics, revenue targets, and measurable success criteria for both domestic and international members
• Identify untapped pools for potential membership growth
• Utilize and leverage the Salesforce Fonteva CRM system to track member engagement to improve member experiences, and provide reports with marketing analysis to senior management, board, and the membership committee
• Produce, track, and analyze member satisfaction surveys to improve membership benefits
• Work cooperatively with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, other senior management, the membership committee, and board, to establish an overall membership structure and viable alternative membership models, including novel membership categories, pricing, annual budget, and changes to membership structure
• React quickly to shifting market drivers, community demands, and business dynamics
• Continue to uphold a tradition of providing top-notch customer service to all members, the broader plant science community, and within the membership department via phone, email, and in-person meetings.
• Working with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other senior management team membersto strategically renegotiate ASPB’s relationships with its regional and topical sections
• Working with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and senior management team members to establish a robust special interest group program that drives revenue growth across the organization

Conferences and Educational Programs

• Take the lead with employees, vendor, and governance teams in planning, directing, developing, and executing a comprehensive strategy for ASPB’s annual Plant Biology conference, its 1200-plus attendees, and associated educational programs. Duties include venue selection, digital event strategy, program development, logistics, attendee experience, registration, sponsorships, and exhibits, and more
• Evaluate the current construct for the Plant Biology conference and, as appropriate propose changes in footprint, pricing model, structure, and/or culture that are aimed at driving audience growth and engagement
• Ensure that the conference, which convenes in-person in cities around North America, and its associated online components are relevant, successful, and generates revenue
• Utilize advanced leadership and management skills to establish and sustain a membership environment that encompasses virtual programming, as well as in-person events
• Ensure that ASPB’s events exhibit best practices in operations and attendee experience, including paying close attention to all issues relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access
• Work together to find new program opportunities and partnerships, including with sibling societies around the world, for increased revenue creation through online and in-person events, boosting the value of ASPB’s membership and the Society’s relevance to the broader global plant biology community
• Work together with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Content and Communications, the Vice President Business Development, and pertinent governance committees on the development of new revenue-generating content for new webinar series, workshops, seminars, and the annual Plant Biology meeting; identify ways to repackage and resell current content
• Develop and cultivate relationships with the Society’s current sponsors and exhibitors; collaborating with contractors and the Vice President Business Development to identify additional organizations willing to support ASPB programming
• Collaborate with external consultants to create brochures, floor plans, establish booth and sponsorship package pricing; handle invoicing and contracts with vendors
• Work with the Program Committee on site selection for Plant Biology conferences, securing speakers for the program, and supporting registration and housing functions
• Using an equity lens, assist in evolving ASPB’s conference code of conduct toward a community agreement concept that holds every participant responsible for their behavior. Be vigilant for inappropriate behavior at meetings to ensure standards of professional conduct are maintained, allowing employees and attendees to have a positive experience, and shielding the organization from liability
• Create, monitor, manage, and maintain budgets to make sure the cost of events is kept within reasonable ranges of the budget and that ASPB meets its established revenue goals for each event
• Establish and maintain connections with important partners in the meetings and convention industry
• Negotiate venue contracts for all ASPB in-person meetings, both domestic and international, including hotel room blocks, food and beverage minimums, and concessions to make sure ASPB is achieving the greatest financial advantage while taking on the least amount of risk
• Provide thorough post-event assessments and other measures for assessing participant experience and utilize them for continuous improvement of the events; make sure that satisfaction scores for conferences and exhibits meet or exceed attendee/exhibitor expectations
• Provide guidance, support, and coordination for the Society’s regional section meetings and for ASPB’s presence at other organizations’ meetings
• Head a team that is in charge of arranging other ASPB meetings, including governance committee and editorial board meetings
• Develop networks and programing around orphan crops in Latin America using funds donated by the Templeton Foundation

Competencies and Core Qualifications

The ideal applicant will have an entrepreneurial mindset, strong leadership skills, and a hands-on approach. They will be able to lead and develop a small team, and they will be skilled at working across the organization to forge connections that foster revenue growth and the successful creation and introduction of new products and services. They will bring to ASPB credentials that include being known as a dependable and creative leader in non-profit management, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with senior management, governance, members, vendors, and the community, along with additional credentials that include strong dedication to, excitement for, and commitment to ASPB’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. Additionally, they will bring:

• Strong customer service and marketing skills
• Capability to perform market research, demographic research, data analysis, and reporting using survey technologies
• A successful track record of creating, organizing, and running conferences, meetings, hybrid events, blended, and online gatherings in corporate and/or non-profit environments
• Proven track record of creating, organizing, and implementing innovative membership models
• Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, team building, and negotiating skills, as well as high levels of emotional intelligence
• Strong sense of pride in their performance, that of their team and how it affects ASPB’s success
• A willingness to work as a team and the capacity to operate effectively in cross-departmental initiatives
• Strong dedication to provide Society members and others in the community with timely, efficient, and effective services
• Excellent public speaking, presentation, and strong persuasion/motivation skills
• Proven track record of leading diverse teams and inspiring employees
• Exhibit skills in diplomacy with a global perspective
• Knowledge of CRM databases, website operations, social media, and other current technologies used to support meetings and community engagement
• Proven capacity for setting priorities effectively, working toward numerous deadlines concurrently while managing multiple moving priorities
• Record of managing internal and external partners, staying on schedule and within budget while meeting goals

Education and Experience

• BA/BS in communications, marketing, or another pertinent subject area. Additional relevant post-graduate qualifications preferred, including in hospitality, events, meetings and/or tourism and experience with digital events strategy
• At least five, and preferably ten or more, years of steadily increasing supervisory experience and responsibility in situations that are technologically advanced and fast-paced
• Fluency with established and emerging technologies that underpin membership and events
• Current and expanding expertise in event planning/management, member services, and/or oversight in an association or other non-profit setting
• Proven track record of creating, overseeing, and reporting on budgets
• Proven track record of managing internal and external teams and leading top management groups

How to Apply:

Send us your resume, examples of work, and a cover letter to HR@aspb.org. Click on the Send Email button to apply. The job is not advertised on ASPB's website. Please note that it is important that you combine your resume and cover letter into one file. Please address your cover letter to ASPB Search Committee. Your cover letter should be succinct – no more than one page – and it should describe how your experience, leadership, and your background make you a strong candidate for this position.

Remote Work

All of our employees will continue to work remotely until further notice.

States and District Where We Accept Applications

Maryland

District of Columbia

Virginia

Colorado

Florida

Pennsylvania