Regional Director, Chicago

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About Business Executives for National Security

Business Executives for National Security (BENS) is a nonpartisan nonprofit comprised of accomplished business and industry executives and entrepreneurs who apply their experience and best business practices to help address our Nation’s pressing national security challenges. Since 1982, BENS has been a trusted partner to senior national security leaders, offering expertise, best practices, and innovative solutions to address complex issues—all at no cost to the government. In an era of unprecedented challenges spanning human capital, infrastructure, technology, and strategic execution, the national security community faces a landscape that demands more than just military and government action. Today's challenges require the innovation, resources, and agility of the private sector, working in close collaboration with government and civil society to create unified, effective responses. BENS serves as the vital bridge between these sectors, fostering a stronger exchange of ideas and practical solutions to ensure the Nation is fully prepared to meet today’s complex threats. BENS provides senior military and government leaders with access to an independent, knowledgeable body of practitioners who bring invaluable insight and perspective to national security decision-making. By leveraging the expertise of its members, BENS educates, elevates, and enriches the national security dialogue, enabling public and private sector leaders to collaborate effectively in safeguarding America’s future.

Duties

Maintain and grow regional membership and revenue. Identify potential new members via networking, research, and member referrals. Organize initial outreach and engagement of constituents, by leveraging and nurturing existing BENS member relationships. Recruit new members, both independently and with support from BENS’ Chairman, CEO, COO, Board Members, Chief Development Officer, VP for Development, and key Chicago members. Maintain relationships with existing and potential members to develop Prospect Management and engagement strategies that cultivate deeper ties to ensure renewal and new member revenue. Prepare Executive Briefings for BENS’ CEO in advance of meetings with potential or existing members. Implement a personalized identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship approach with all prospects and members. Track major actions and personal information for all members and prospects in the centralized BENS CRM system. Work with the national Development team to recruit sponsors of the twice-annual BENS Eisenhower Award Dinners. Continue to expand the Chicago membership base by working to recruit and retain members with diverse backgrounds, expertise and experience. Engage regional members to increase retention and participation in BENS projects, programs, engagements, and travel. With the goal of engaging the Chicago members -- who are highly visible CEOs, EVPs, entrepreneurs, and investors -- work collaboratively with BENS’s Programs team to support the development and implementation of national campaign programs, and recruit members to projects based on expertise needs and/or member interest. Oversee and manage the “BENS relationship” for each member and prospect to develop good stewardship techniques and ensure deep engagement across the organization. Provide support as needed for nationally generated events and activities hosted in the region. Curate and maintain regular regional programing and events for Chicago regional members and potential members. Design and implement a series of 12+ regional programs annually, including larger speaker events, smaller roundtable conversations and special VIP dinners and lunches. Coordinate all logistics of regional events, including booking locale, developing program content, developing – with input from guest speakers, policy and/or members – the agenda and timeline and framework of program; identifying menu; and creating or coordinating invitations to members, prospects and government attendees. Track RSVPs, follow-up invitations, event payments and attendee information in BENS’s CRM system. Communicate details, logistics and any pre-event read-aheads to attendees, and after event with any follow-up information needed. Coordinate check-in and registration day of event, including nametags, table place cards, distribution of marketing and/or communication materials; and other day-of-event needs.

Qualifications

Highly entrepreneurial and creative, with energy, discipline, and strong organizational skills. Self-starter able to work independently and handle administrative responsibilities with minimal support. Team player with ability to collaborate and integrate with multiple stakeholders, including members, organization staff and government representatives as needed. Detailed knowledge of the greater Chicago area business environment, with the stature to develop and engage high-profile senior executives within the corporate and venture capital sectors in the region. The ideal candidate is comfortable building relationships independently, as well as through and with other senior-level contacts. Experience with public/private partnerships, even if only as an engaged volunteer, is a plus. Knowledge of how the government sector is organized and operates, as well as public policy imperatives, is also helpful. An interest in, and passion for, national security; a desire to apply his/her skills to “make a difference.” Experience with or understanding of military, government and Department of Defense/national security community and history a plus. Demonstrated experience working with Customer/Constituent Relations Management Software and/or fundraising databases. Experience with the Zoho One suite of business products is a plus. Comfort working with research tools, open-source intelligence sources, and internal data to create recruitment strategies and enact them using a variety of players and shareholders. Experience in fundraising preferred, or in relationship-centered sales in private industry or the non-profit world.

Application instructions

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