AOC is seeking a full-time Strategic Partnership and Professional Development Director to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with key partners (military, government, academia, and corporations around the globe) and expanding outreach efforts regarding our professional development goals. You will collaborate with various departments within the association to align partnership initiatives with our overall strategy. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic team environment, enjoy problem-solving, and effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously. As a key player on our team, excellent interpersonal and communication skills are a must.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
•    Strategic Partnership Development: The Director will work with existing partners and identify other organizations that can potentially help advance the association's professional development objectives. Responsible for developing and implementing partnership strategies.
•    Relationship Management: A pivotal aspect of this role entails the continuous cultivation and nurturing of relationships with current partners, guaranteeing their engagement, contentment, and optimal utilization of their affiliation with the organization. This involves establishing a network of technical subject matter experts and fostering a strong collaborative rapport with the staff, Board of Directors, Board of Governors, and volunteer committees.
•    Partnership Negotiation: The Director engages in partnership negotiations to secure agreements that are mutually advantageous and aligned with all pertinent laws and regulations.
•    Professional Development Program Management: Working closely with partner organizations and the Professional Development Committee, the Director develops and sustains professional learning experiences, including webinars, that leverage association subject matter experts to meet the needs of our membership.
•    Cross-functional Collaboration: Participates as a member of the executive staff team, contributing to the development of our strategy and annual organizational plan. Works closely with other departments within the association, such as marketing, advocacy, events, and membership teams, to align partnership initiatives with the association's overall strategy.
•    Communication: The Director communicates regularly with partners, often acting as their main point of contact within the association to ensure that partners are kept up to date about the association's activities and are fully engaged in their partnerships.
•    Performance Tracking and Reporting: The Director monitors and provides reports on partnership performance, utilizing data to guide strategic decisions about existing and prospective partnerships, as well as to present statistics for professional development courses. Develops annual departmental budget and monitors performance against budget and assures course correction as needed.  
•    Market and Industry Analysis: The Director will keep up to date with trends and changes in the stakeholder professional development community including the defense and EW industrial sector to identify new partnership opportunities and to ensure that existing partnerships remain relevant and valuable.
•    Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with internal and external stakeholders (including the DoD, NATO, Service schools, industry partners, academia, and other professional associations and institutes, to name a few) to ensure the goals of those partnerships align with the overall mission and strategic direction of the association.
•    Management: Participates as a member of the senior management team, contributing to the development of long-term strategy and annual organizational goals. Manages one staff member and multiple volunteer committees to support the professional development portfolio for AOC (courses (in person and virtual), webinars, and STEM).

We encourage you to apply if you are passionate about building strategic partnerships and driving growth. Please submit a resume and a letter of interest detailing your relevant experience and how you meet the qualifications outlined in this job posting. Send your application to frost@crows.org with the subject line "Application for Director, Strategic Partnerships and Professional Development". The deadline to apply is August 31, 2024. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application once a hiring decision has been made.

Travel Requirements
Travel is required to foster relationships and engage with stakeholders. Candidates should be prepared for frequent travel to meet with partners and potential partners.

Benefits and Culture
AOC offers a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including 100% coverage for personal medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401K employer contribution; and life insurance. We value collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to our mission. Our team is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can contribute to our shared goals. We believe in work-life balance and offer flexible work arrangements to support our employees' well-being

Join us and be a part of the legacy of AOC while shaping the future.

Qualifications
•    At least seven years of relevant professional association experience with an understanding of developing relationships with known institutes, technical schools, or other applicable organizations.
•    Familiarity with basic technical and operational elements of our community within a broader military or defense perspective is a plus.
•    Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
•    Proven track record of successful partnership development and relationship management.
•    Strong analytical skills to track and report on partnership performance.
•    Ability to develop and execute strategic engagement plans.
•    Ability to think beyond immediate issues and address issues from a broader perspective.
•    A positive attitude, working well independently and in a collaborative, cross-functional team environment.
•    Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail
•    Ability to learn and obtain working knowledge of electromagnetic spectrum topics to communicate with stakeholders effectively
•    Established track record of successful budget management
•    Demonstrated ability to lead and manage both staff and volunteers effectively.

About Association of Old Crows

The Association of Old Crows (AOC) is an organization for individuals who have common interests in Electronic Warfare (EW), Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Operations (EMSO), Cyber Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), Information Operations (IO), and other information related capabilities. The Association of Old Crows provides a means of connecting members and organizations nationally and internationally across government, defense, industry, and academia to promote the exchange of ideas and information, and provides a platform to recognize advances and contributions in these fields.

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