GRASSROOTS OUTDOOR ALLIANCE
GRASSROOTS PRESIDENT
POSITION DESCRIPTION
APRIL 2014
Grassroots Vision
Creating the high road to retail excellence
Grassroots Mission A unified voice leading to excellence in retail through community, culture and sustainability. Overall Position Description
The Grassroots President is responsible to the Board of Directors for the execution of programs approved by the Board of Directors and designed to meet the Grassroots mission statement goals.
The Grassroots President is responsible to the Board of Directors for:
● The development of policy proposals and initiatives ● The development, implementation and maintenance of related written operational policies and specific operating procedures to support those policies and initiatives as prioritized and approved by the Board of Directors
● The maintenance and management of Grassroots staff and outside resources
● The satisfactory management of the financial resources of Grassroots
Reporting Relationships
The Grassroots President is accountable to the Board of Directors and as such reports at least monthly during BOD conference calls. Comparative financials with supporting operational analyses are provided at each Grassroots Show and at both Outdoor Retailer Shows.
On any “ground-­‐breaking” issues relevant to the organization’s position or opinion on an issue, the Grassroots President will consult with three members of the Board of Directors before taking a public position. The Board of Director’s consulted should rotate to insure inclusion by all Grassroots Board of Director’s.
On an annual basis the Grassroots President will prepare and submit to the Board of Directors an annual report and budget accompanied by an outlook for the coming year.
Areas of Specific Responsibility:
Board of Directors
● Work with the Chairman of the Board to insure Board participation and help recruit new Board members while nurturing participation by existing Board members.
● Manage all Board of Director Committees:
o Vendor Committees: Outdoor and Paddlesport
o Summit Committee (Trade Shows)
o Finance Committee
o Marketing Committee
● Manage internal BOD and office staff communication:
o Monthly conference calls
o Quarterly financial reviews
o Annual Board Retreat o Long term strategic planning
Retail Membership
● Recruitment of new potential members
● Oversight of existing members: financial (annual financial reviews) and participatory (monthly reports)
● Insure membership satisfaction through annual interviews and surveys
● Strive to provide appropriate communication that insures retail members feel their voice is heard and that they can participate in the operations of Grassroots
● Assist in the transition of ownership for Grassroots retail members that wish to insure the Grassroots membership continues for the new owner(s)
● Members services
o Research and develop service partnerships that may benefit the financial well-­‐being of retail members (VABS)
o Identify and conduct 1 or 2 seminars per year on topics identified by the retail membership as important to improving their businesses
o Provide an inventory exchange for all Grassroots members
o Develop and constantly improve methods of communication for Grassroots retail members to network
o Identify and collect tools to help retail members compete in the retail landscape
● Member communications from Board, other retail members and vendor partners
● Investigate and develop potential alliances with other buying groups that may benefit the Grassroots membership
Vendor Partnerships
● Recruitment of new potential vendors
● Evaluation, negotiation and management of existing Grassroots vendors
● Vendor communications
● Negotiate program terms and marketing support twice a year with all vendor partners
o Gather all signed contracts twice a year
o Oversee compilation a Program Book and Program Highlights sheet twice a year o Work with vendors to provide unique products exclusive to the Grassroots membership
o Oversee an ongoing spreadsheet that keeps tracks of evolving terms
● Collect vendor distribution and internet marketplace strategies at least twice a year to distribute to retail membership
● Coordinate participation of Grassroots retail members in vendor forums to provide product and market feedback
Marketing
● Development and management of all marketing materials to assist in recruitment of retail members and vendor partners
● Website development
● Field all inquiries directed through the Grassroots website
● Develop and execute to the outdoor industry, general public, retail membership and vendor partners all public relations related to Grassroots
● Development and management of cooperative marketing ventures with Grassroots Vendors
Tradeshows
● Supervise the development/management of and host two annual Grassroots Summits (Trade Shows) per year. Responsible for all content of the show and financial profitability. Responsibilities include:
o Identification of participating vendors
o Negotiation of space and cost of participation with vendors
o All organizational meetings: BOD’s, Principals and Buyers
● Management of Grassroots participation in two annual Outdoor Retailer Shows per year
o Grassroots EXPO
o Board of Directors Meeting
o Principals Meeting
Operations
● Oversee all Grassroots personnel and related HR
● Oversee all operational systems within the two Grassroots offices
● Oversee the management of treasury including banking, insurance, taxes, legal and other outside services
● Supervise the development of annual budget ● Develop and manage environmental and social programs supported by Grassroots and its individual retail members
Working Relationships
The Board of Directors is organized into five standing committees:
● Executive Committee consisting of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Chairperson of the Marketing, Finance, Summit Committee (Trade Show) and Vendor Committees
● Finance Committee consisting of the Chairperson ( a member of the current Board of Directors) and any other member(s) of Grassroots as required
● Marketing Committee consisting of the Chairperson ( a member of the current Board of Directors) and any other member(s) of Grassroots as required
● Outdoor Vendor Committee consisting of the Chairperson (a member of the current Board of Directors) and any other member(s) of Grassroots as required by that committee ● Summit Committee (Trade Shows) consisting of the Chairperson (a member of the current and any other member(s) of Grassroots as required ● Board of Directors) and any other member(s) of Grassroots as required ● Paddlesport Vendor Committee consisting of the Chairperson (a member of the current Board of Directors) and any other member(s) of Grassroots as required
These committees and the other standing and ad hoc work groups form the principal working relationships between the Grassroots membership and the Grassroots
President
Job Requirements: The President will be thoroughly committed to the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and a strong consensus builder experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include: ● Advanced degree, ideally an MBA, with at least 10 years of senior management experience; track record of effectively leading staff, and an ability to point to specific examples of having developed and implemented strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth ● Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-­‐driven program evaluation ● Excellence in organizational management with the ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-­‐performance teams, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget ● Past success working with a Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships ● Strong marketing, public relations, social media and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures ● Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills ● Action-­‐oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning ● Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people ● Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-­‐driven, and self-­‐directed Performance Review and Evaluation
The Grassroots President’s performance will be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors. That review will take place in July and precede the OR Summer Market. The results of the annual review will reflect any changes in the President’s compensation. In addition, the opportunity for four additional assessments of performance only will take place at the Board of Directors Retreat, OR Winter Market and the Grassroots Spring and Fall Summits. Please submit your resume to: [email protected]
For more information, please call Leslie Cunningham at 800-936-3049 ext 701