Organization: Great Raleigh Merchants Association (GRMA) & Shop Local Raleigh

Position: Program Director

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Pay Rate: Based on experience

About GRMA & Shop Local Raleigh:

The Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (GRMA) is a growing and energetic non-profit organization that has been a single effective voice for small business and merchants since 1940. Comprised of business owners, entrepreneurs, merchants and other professionals in the Raleigh area, GRMA promotes an environment of communication, cooperation and support for local businesses.

In 2009 GRMA launched Shop Local Raleigh (SLR). SLR promotes and supports locally-owned, independent businesses. It’s about making hard-earned money go further, fueling the local economy, and helping to preserve the unique character of Raleigh.

For more information please visit www.GRMA.org or www.shoplocalraleigh.org

The Candidate:

The Program Director position seeks a highly motivated professional that can plan events, serve as a membership and marketing leader and assist in the day to day activities of the organization. This position will report directly to the Executive Director and will work in partnership with the Director to accomplish the goals of the organization.

The ideal candidate will have experience in event planning, marketing, sales and must be self-motivated. Exceptional interpersonal skills are indispensable due to the importance of positive relationships with business members, board members, government officials, volunteers and the public.

Several of the major roles of the Program Director will be assisting with the organization’s signature events, Brewgaloo™ and the Raleigh Christmas Parade, planning and executing monthly networking events and socials, educational seminars, substantially increasing membership revenue and membership retention, creating e-newsletters and related administrative tasks.

The Program Director will work directly with the Executive Director and committee chairs on these events. Program Director will need to be able to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks. The Program Director will also need to be flexible and understand that some days may differ from what’s listed on this job description.

The Program Director must be a self-starter, able to work independently, receive instruction and produce results for a growing and energetic organization.

Position Responsibilities:

• Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), who will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for GRMA’s programs, expansion and execution of its mission.

• Assisting Executive Director with additional projects and tasks relevant to moving the organization forward

• Assist the Executive Director in developing membership, including business networking and new member recruitment.

• Recruit, process and welcome new members

• Post regularly to the organizations blog and social media sites; write and prepare regular e-blasts to our member and consumer databases, including monthly announcement of new members

• Plan, coordinate and work with the Executive Director on special events as instructed, including but not limited to vendor contracting, parade unit descriptions, volunteer recruitment, etc.

• Attend monthly committee meetings and networking events as assigned

• Heavy emphasis on administrative assistant tasks

• Other Duties as assigned by the Executive Director

• Main place of work will be 410 N. Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603

• Flexibility with night and weekend hours

• Must be highly organized, able to multi-task and excel in time management skills

• Must have a “can-do” and “whatever it takes” attitude

Qualifications:

• 4-year degree or comparable experience desired

• Strong marketing, public relations and fundraising experience

• Event planning experience, ability to organize receptions and networking socials

• Strong written and verbal communications skills

• Ability to make changes to the organization’s website regularly, including blog-posting and social media updates

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, email marketing software, graphic design

• Excellent time management skills

To apply email resume and a sample media release in written form or video describing the upcoming event Brewgaloo™ to Jennifer@grma.org *All applicants not including the sample media release will not be considered.

No phone calls. All calls related to the position will be disregarded.

Additional Information: Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.