SEDC Director of Development

Director of Development

Full Time Opportunity
**Remains Open Until Filled**

The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), North America’s oldest and largest regional economic development organization representing the world’s leading economy builders in 17 American South states, is seeking a motivated professional to enhance membership and financial development. The Director of Development is responsible for the retention and engagement of active SEDC members and the development of prospective members. This role will lead efforts to secure registrations, sponsorships, and investments across the SEDC and SEDC Foundation service portfolios.

The Director of Development will serve as the first point of contact for a growing membership base and as a visible SEDC representative throughout the service territory. This role will further act as an SEDC representative, liaison, and administrative staff at all SEDC events, potentially including international business development missions. The Director will work closely with the SEDC President and SEDC State Directors and will confidently represent SEDC to members, partners, government officials, and C-Suite-level professionals.

The successful candidate will be aggressive, motivated, and independent, with strong organizational, technical, and communication skills. They will also demonstrate a proven history of generating sales and engagement in an association, preferably on a multi-state or national stage.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Membership Retention

• Responsible for the retention of SEDC membership and all monthly communications and sales processes.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for engaging and coordinating with SEDC State Directors to assist with monthly membership renewals.
• Responsible for acknowledgment and appreciation of all members upon renewal.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for regular contact with members to solicit feedback regarding their SEDC experience.
• Responsible for meeting monthly and annual membership retention and financial goals.
• Responsible for maintaining the accuracy of SEDC membership rolls regarding membership status and key information.
• Responsible for archiving retention correspondence within association membership software.

Membership Engagement

• Responsible for sales, registrations, and sponsorships for all event and investment activities within the SEDC service portfolio.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for all engagement communications to be regularly released via SEDC platforms.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for engaging and coordinating with SEDC State Directors to enhance state-specific engagement.
• Responsible for meeting SEDC event, investment, and overall membership engagement goals including investor compliance.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for contacting members and partners regarding leadership and volunteer opportunities within SEDC and SEDC Foundation committees, events, and initiatives.
• Responsible for archiving engagement correspondence within association membership software.

Membership Development

• Responsible for developing the SEDC prospective member database.
• Responsible for contacting prospective members to advise them of SEDC membership opportunities and benefits.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for engaging and coordinating with SEDC State Directors to enhance state-specific membership.
• Responsible for meeting monthly and state-specific membership development goals.
• Responsible for archiving development correspondence within association membership software.

State Association Liaison

• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for identifying opportunities for SEDC engagement at state economic development association conferences and events.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for attending, speaking, and developing meetings at state economic development association conferences and events.

Communications

• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for developing targeted and strategic communication materials and distributions necessary to achieve membership and financial development goals.
• Responsible for monitoring Governors’ Office press releases, cabinets (or equivalent) for economic development/commerce announcements, member social media, and relevant media outlets for notable news to inform congratulatory correspondence or SEDC service advisory notices.

Executive and Conference Services

• Responsible for acting as an assistant to the SEDC President to complete tasks as assigned.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for staffing meetings on behalf of the SEDC President as assigned.
• Responsible, under the direction of the SEDC President, for completing all tasks assigned related to conferences, webinars, or events within the SEDC and SEDC Foundation service portfolios.

Preferred Requirements

• Successful experience in multi-state or national association sales.
• Demonstrated experience in association management.
• Strong organizational, communication, technology, and writing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple high-level relationships while concurrently leading or supporting multiple events and initiatives.
• Willingness to travel within the United States and potentially abroad.
• Aggressive, independent, and motivated work ethic.

Work Environment

• The Director of Development is a remote work opportunity with required travel.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary is commensurate with experience. A competitive benefits package is included.

APPLICATION PROCESS & QUESTIONS

Please send your resume and letter of intent to apply, including documentation outlining that you meet the preferred requirements listed above, to SEDC President Matt Tackett via email at mtackett@sedc.org. Contact SEDC President Matt Tackett with any questions. The position remains open until filled.