Director of Association Strategic Planning

Director of Association Strategic Planning

Business Operations Chicago, IL Washington, D.C.

Apply

Description

Smithbucklin is an employee-owned professional services company with over 600 team members and more than 75 years of success serving the association market. We are looking for a Director of Association Strategic Planning to join our Chicago or Washington, D.C. office. The Director of Association Strategic Planning is responsible for leading Smithbucklin’s consulting practice, which provides strategic planning and other specialized advisory services to internal and external clients.

About Smithbucklin

Smithbucklin empowers associations, societies, and communities to enrich and move industries, fields, and professions forward. Working together in a network-based organizational structure, we help organizations operate efficiently and effectively, through the right combination of talent, expertise and technology, which enables growth and mission impact.

This role might be a great fit if…

You are an association guru

You believe that associations are a key enabler in today’s business world

You love facilitating groups to uncover new and innovative approaches

You are a broad thinker and future-focused

You thrive on strategic thinking

You approach your work with a “consultant-like” mentality

In this role, you can expect to…

The Head of Consulting is responsible for leading and developing Smithbucklin’s consulting practice. This includes four main areas of responsibility : (1) delivery of consulting services, (2) practice development, (3) business development, and (4) internal consulting support. The Head of Consulting is assisted by a shared support resource, marketing support, and technology support.

Delivery of Consulting Services

Manage a team of internal and external resources to deliver consulting services, which currently includes :

• Strategic Planning (majority of services)
• Governance
• Growth Planning
• Membership Analysis & Research
• Action Planning
• DEI Assessment & Planning (Thriving Community Development)
• Executive coaching

Identify and secure suitable talent for each engagement. Maintain a roster of internal & external team members with skills and availability. Play a significant role yourself in engagement design, data collection, content delivery, and session facilitation.

Oversee all preparation, logistics, and delivery considerations

Monitor performance and collect feedback

Overall accountability for quality and client satisfaction with consulting services

Practice Development

Update, refine, and improve existing content & assets

Create new practice areas and assets based on market demand

Stay abreast of the latest developments in association consulting services and the management consulting world in general, including competitors, new models and approaches, and latest trends.

Business Development

Internal (i.e. association management clients)

External (i.e. non-Smithbucklin clients)

Develop and publish thought leadership (articles, speaking engagements, research) to raise awareness and perception of Smithbucklin’s consulting services.

Work with finance team on pricing, contracting, and budgeting / forecasting

Internal Consulting Support

Provide support for internal “consulting-type” efforts for association management clients (typically led by the Smithbucklin Executive Director) that do not warrant a full-blown consulting project.

In collaboration with association management leadership, develop guidelines for when consulting services require incremental fees to internal clients, vs. what should be included as part of Smithbucklin’s standard association management services.

Required Experience

10+ years of experience in strategic planning and consulting t

5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role

Significant experience working associations, including different types : trade, professional, healthcare, chapters, SIGs, etc.

Desired Experience

Active certification related to strategic planning (e.g. SPP or Foursight)

Experience in the professional services industry

Consulting experience for association industry

More About Smithbucklin

Our hybrid environment offers you the option of working from home two days per week. All team members come to the office on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and have the flexibility to work elsewhere on Wednesday and Friday.

The salary for this role will be based on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. The expected pay for this role is $160,000 - $215,000.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of reference and background investigation based on position.

Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment, you must be authorized to work in the United States without limitation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying.