Managing Director - Posting No. 1602
Date Posted
September 21, 2009
Employer
All-American Rose Selections
Location
Not Available
Job Description
Position Description
All-America Rose Selections
Managing Director
Organization
All-America Rose Selections is a nonprofit association dedicated to the introduction and promotion of exceptional roses. AARS runs the world's most challenging horticultural testing program, and consistently recognizes roses that are easy to grow and require minimal care by today's busy homeowner. Since 1938, the AARS testing program has encouraged the rose industry to improve the disease resistance, ease of care, and beauty of roses. Today, the AARS program is one of the most successful and highly regarded of its kind, having brought to the forefront some of the most popular roses in history, such as Peace, Knock Out and Bonica. AARS Winning Roses are labeled with the AARS red rose seal of approval to distinguish them from other plants available in the marketplace.
In order to achieve the designation of “AARS Winner,” all rose entries are put through trials at test gardens located throughout the country representing all climate zones. The rose varieties in these trials receive only as much care as your average home gardener would be likely to give. In fact, AARS members recently voted to remove all fungicidal spraying for the test roses, to ensure that its AARS Winners are top performers, naturally. In 2009, Carefree Spirit was the first shrub variety completely devoid of fungicide sprays to be selected as a Winner.
AARS works closely with partners in the home and garden industry including independent garden centers and big box stores to promote AARS award-winning roses. In 2009, AARS launched a social media initiative leveraging Twitter and Facebook to communicate its brand messaging, share useful rose care tips and correspond with media representatives. Recently, AARS entered into an online and offline marketing partnership with eHow.com, America’s most visited “how to” website with over 35 million monthly unique visitors. AARS also works closely with the over 130 AARS accredited public gardens located throughout the US.
For more information on All-America Rose Selections please visit www.rose.org.
Position
The Managing Director (MD) is a newly created position and will work under the guidance of the Board of Directors, a diverse group of well-established rose growers across the US. Of paramount importance will be determining how to implement the recently-developed strategic plan. Additionally, the MD will be responsible for growing the organization’s market presence, and leading the transition of the AARS Winners from a nationally-based to a regionally-based program. The MD will initiate discussion and program development around new funding sources and models to ensure increased market visibility.
Because AARS has no bricks-and-mortar office, the location of this position is flexible. There will be significant travel in the first 6 months to fully understand the organization and business practices of individual members.
Responsibilities
Overall Responsibilities
- Gain an understanding of the tenets put forward in AARS’ strategic plan and manage and oversee all organizational activities in pursuit of strategic goals.
- Oversee and manage the AARS Test Garden Program.
- Provide guidance in developing program, organizational, and financial plans.
- Support the Board of Directors in all organizational governance.
- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the rose industry.
- Jointly, with the president and secretary of the Board of Directors, conduct official correspondence of the organization and execute legal documents.
Job Qualifications
Communications
- Work closely with public relations and marketing staff to increase brand awareness among retailers/consumers, and publicize the activities, programs, and goals of the organization.
- Establish a process that ensures regular communication between the board and MD.
- Establish excellent working relationships and cooperative arrangements with community groups and trade associations that further the reputation of AARS.
Finance and Budget
- The MD is the overall steward of the budget and, together with the finance committee and Board of Directors, will develop, maintain, and communicate budgetary guidelines and sound financial practices.
- Develop funding strategy that ensures funds are available for the organization to carry out its present work, and engage in new programs. This may include bidding on grants, and organizing fundraising events/campaigns and other strategies.
Qualifications/Experience
- The Managing Director will possess skills, knowledge and qualities resulting from formal education and at least five years experience in the home and garden industry, commodity board or trade associations, marketing, or related areas.
- Track record of success managing or running a nonprofit organization.
- A “big picture” thinker with a track record of managing an organization through change.
- Self-motivated, able to work independently, can translate strategic priorities into programs.
- Success building fundraising models in the nonprofit sector.
- Strong analytical, strategic, and tactical abilities.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, ease with public speaking, advocacy and working with media.
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Ability to travel to attend conferences, board meetings, training and other events as required to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.
All-America Rose Selections is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply for this position. Send a cover letter and your resume to jobs@rose.org . Please indicate in your cover letter where you first saw this job posted. Thank you.
Salary
Not Available
Contact Information
n/a
Address Not Available
Phone - Not Available
Fax - Not Available
Cell Phone - Not Available
Email - jobs@rose.org
Website - www.rose.org