SR. PROGRAM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

POSITION FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
The incumbent leads the process of identification, negotiation and researching new affinity products and other business opportunities for NEA Member Benefits Corporation (NEA MB).  The incumbent will provide assistance and guidance to all levels of NEA MB management to develop and evaluate new products and business opportunities for the Corporation.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates with CEO and other management by providing input to the new business development vision. Recommends direction for new business development and scopes out short term goals ascertained thru the adopted vision.
• Proactively identifies and negotiates new affinity products and/or business opportunities.  Researches, identifies and develops new partnerships on behalf of NEA MB.  Serves as the initial contact for potential suppliers of affinity programs.  Creates and executes a plan to pursue opportunities that support the NEA MB’s strategic direction.
• Leads the business development process.  Involves the talents within NEA MB’s various program and department areas to thoroughly evaluate offers/ideas, conduct due diligence, and negotiate contracts.  Identifies issues with potential partnerships and when possible, recommends ways to mitigate the risk to NEA MB and to NEA members.  Develops financial models that demonstrate the projected future of the partnership.  Consolidates findings and negotiations into a well-written, thorough business plan.
• Leverages knowledge of potential participants and market needs when working with program management, segment management and research staff to identify potential products and/or services that fulfill a need for all or select segments of NEA members.
• In collaboration with NEA MB business areas, such as program management, segment management and legal counsel, develops Request for Proposal (RFP) to inform potential suppliers of affinity opportunities with NEA MB.  Manages the resulting RFP process, and guides evaluation team through an objective review of submissions.  Makes recommendations based on evaluation.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business management, affinity program development and/or sales.  Ideally, an advanced business degree is desired.
• Seven years experience researching and developing new products and/or business opportunities for a corporation or association. Industry experience in investments, insurance and credit products is preferred.
• Experience in product marketing and promotion is necessary.
  
• Demonstrated ability to achieve business growth in a highly competitive market.
• Solid project management skills and organized approach to coordinating an array of priorities.
• Demonstrated relationship-building skills and understanding of finance and budgets.
• Excellent research, analytical, presentation and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Intermediate command level of NEA MB’s standard automation tool suite.

COMPLEXITY

The position requires completion of assignments with varied duties involving a wide range of processes and methods.  Decisions regarding what needs to be done depend on a thorough analysis of the issues involved in each assignment. The chosen course of action is selected from many alternatives.  The work requires making many decisions concerning such things as the interpretation of considerable data, planning the work, or refining the methods and techniques to be used.

CONTACTS/RELATIONSHIPS

This position requires contacts/relationships with all levels of the employees within the organization and with a varied multitude of sources to include: state and local affiliates, suppliers, vendors and the NEA.  Personal contacts are frequently made and involve meeting and dealing with others to agree on courses of action, solving problems encountered in project assignments or program management, articulate concepts, or provide subject matter advice based on the area of expertise.  The purpose of these contacts is to establish and maintain relationships to solve more complicated problems and/or achieve substantive business goals.

DIRECTION NEEDED

Assignments are stated in terms of broadly defined missions or functions.  The employee is responsible for planning, designing, and carrying out activities independently.  Recommendations for new products and services are usually evaluated for such considerations as availability of funds and other resources, broad program goals, or organizational priorities.  The employee keeps the supervisor informed of projects of major scope and/or major importance to the organization as well as any potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications.  Completed work is reviewed only from an overall standpoint in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements or expected results.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Normal office activity.  The incumbent may sit comfortably to do the work.  However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, boxes; driving an automobile, etc.  No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

OTHER POSITION CONSIDERATIONS

• Grade G
• Travel is required including evenings and weekends
• Ability to work beyond the normal 37.5 hour week required
• Exempt position
• 60 day contingency
  

OFFICE SERVICES ASSISTANT (Reproduction)

POSITION FUNCTION AND PURPOSE

The incumbent will be responsible for performing reproduction projects.  The incumbent will use the computer systems to facilitate some duplicating and shipping requests as assigned. The incumbent will be responsible for mail services, courier services, storage placement and retrieval, facilities maintenance and other general office services.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

KNOWLEDGE REQUIIRED

This position requires knowledge of standardized rules, procedures, or operations requiring some training or experience to perform the full range of standard office support assignments and to resolve routine recurring problems.

·        Two - three years of copy mailroom experience.

·        Previous experience operating a high volume copier (color & black and white)

·        Proven experience with technical troubleshooting with various types of office equipment.

·        Must have intermediate level command of Microsoft Word and Excel.

·        Valid driver’s license and evidence of good driving record.

·        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

COMPLEXITY

The work consists of duties involving a variety of processes and methods.  Decisions regarding what needs to be done depend on a limited analysis of the issues involved in each assignment, and the chosen course of action is selected from a limited number of alternatives.  The work involves conditions and elements that must be identified and analyzed to discern interrelationships.

CONTACTS/RELATIONSHIPS

Contacts are primarily with employees in Member Benefits and primarily involve the exchange of factual basic information; or contacts are with members of the general public in highly structured situations.  Contact over and above exchanging factual basic information will be referred to a different employee.

DIRECTION NEEDED

The supervisor provides general instructions and/or suggestions for resources on routine assignments and specific instructions for new, difficult, or unusual assignments.  The incumbent uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments independently without specific instructions, but refers deviations, problems, and situations not covered by instructions to the supervisor for decisions or help.  The supervisor assures that finished work and methods used are technically accurate and in compliance with instructions or established procedures.  Review of the work increases with more difficult assignments or if the employee has not previously performed similar assignments.

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position involves normal office activity.  The incumbent may sit comfortably to do the work.  However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts, driving an automobile, etc.  May require lifting of up to 50 pounds.

OTHER POSITION CONSIDERATIONS

• Grade B
• Reports to Manager, Facilities and Office Services
• Non-exempt position

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Qualified applicants must submit a cover letter with a current resume indicating interest in this open position to www.Resumes@neamb.com.  As a basis for evaluating candidates, job related assessments are administered by the Human Resources Department to all qualified applicants.

How to apply

For immediate consideration, please send a cover letter with salary requirements and a current resume to NEA Member Benefits, Attn: LED-MBWS 900 Clopper Rd., Suite 300, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 or FAX (301) 527-8211 or email Resumes@neamb.com. Use only one method to apply once.