(THE home for generating new products and services that drive growth in associations)

Association Business Solutions Incubator (ABSI): ABSI is a department aimed at providing resources, support, and guidance to associations looking to develop new products, services, or business models. ABSI is designed to help associations innovate and generate new revenue streams, which are crucial for their sustainability and growth in an increasingly competitive environment.

ASAE, a leading organization for association professionals, offers ABSI to foster entrepreneurial thinking, encourage risk-taking, and facilitate partnerships among associations, helping them launch new initiatives that align with their members' needs. Through ABSI, associations gain access to opportunities designed to accelerate the development of new solutions and services.

ABSI serves as an incubator that will take risk on behalf of the association community, where associations can test and develop entrepreneurial ideas that may lead to the creation of successful and revenue-generating products or services for their members.

Summary:
The Managing Director, ABSI will focus on developing and delivering entrepreneurial, revenue-generating products and services for professional and trade associations and their members. This role requires an innovative, strategic leader who can drive growth, profitability, and sustainability by creating and implementing impactful products, services, and initiatives tailored to the needs of the associations. The Managing Director will leverage the organization's resources and market insights to identify new opportunities, build a high-performing team, and maintain a strong focus on financial growth the drives new member value and revenue, while advancing the mission of supporting and expanding member services.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision:
• Provide visionary leadership for the Association Incubator, setting the strategic direction and ensuring the execution of entrepreneurial revenue-generation initiatives.
• Identify market trends, opportunities, and potential partnerships for new products and services that align with the needs of association members in collaborating with ASAE.
• Develop and implement strategies for delivering profitable and sustainable offerings to associations that contribute to their mission and growth.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and business acumen across the incubator's programs and team.
2. Product and Service Development:
• Lead the creation and management of entrepreneurial, revenue-generating products and services for association members, ensuring they provide value and meet member needs.
• Oversee product development from ideation to market launch, ensuring alignment with market trends and member interests.
• Conduct market research, competitor analysis, and member feedback loops to inform the development of new offerings.
• Continuously assess and improve the incubator’s portfolio of products and services to maximize profitability and value for members.
3. Revenue Generation and Financial Sustainability:
• Establish and oversee revenue-generation strategies to support the financial sustainability of the incubator, including pricing strategies, sales channels, and partnerships.
• Work closely with the finance team to ensure effective budgeting, forecasting, and financial management to achieve profitability goals.
• In partnership with ASAE Sales team, identify new revenue streams, including sponsorships, partnerships, licensing agreements, and direct sales, to enhance the incubator’s impact.
• Monitor and report on the financial performance of products and services, making necessary adjustments to achieve targets.
4. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development:
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including association leaders, industry influencers, corporate partners, and service providers.
• Leverage partnerships to expand the incubator's reach, enhance service offerings, and drive mutual benefits for associations and their members.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the incubator, advocating for the value of its products, services, and entrepreneurial approach to association development.
5. Leadership and Team Development:
• Lead, motivate, and mentor a high-performing, cross-functional team responsible for product development, marketing, sales, and customer service.
• Foster an entrepreneurial culture that encourages innovation, ownership, and accountability among team members.
• Develop and retain top talent by providing ongoing professional development opportunities and creating an environment that supports creativity and risk-taking.
6. Marketing, Branding, and Communications:
• Partner with ASAE Marketing department on the development and execution of a comprehensive marketing strategy for the incubator’s products and services to drive visibility, engagement, and revenue growth.
• Partner with ASAE Marketing department to ensure effective communication with association members through targeted campaigns, digital marketing, and social media efforts.
• Represent the incubator at industry conferences, seminars, and other public forums, promoting its offerings and fostering thought leadership in the association space.
7. Governance and Board Relations:
• Collaborate closely with the Board of Directors, providing regular updates on organizational performance, strategic goals, and financial health.
• Support the Board in evaluating the incubator’s progress, identifying new opportunities for growth, and ensuring alignment with long-term goals.
8. Innovation and Continuous Improvement:
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends, technological advancements, and emerging business models in the association sector to identify new opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Regularly assess the performance of existing products and services, implementing continuous improvements and optimizations based on feedback and market dynamics.
• Partner with ASAE to operationalize new revenue initiatives into the 501 c6 or 501c3 after a defined period of time, not to exceed three years.

Specific Oversight Responsibilities:

• ASAE Insurance Source: ASAE-Endorsed providers for associations to select adequate insurance coverage, protect events, and reduce organizational and operational risk and liability.
• ASAE 401(K) Retirement Plan: An innovative 401(k) retirement plan designed especially for associations of different sizes at competitive prices.
• ASAE Curated Collection: Trusted network of providers to help associations reduce costs, increase efficiency, and enhance capabilities with governance, energy efficiency, job board and document production solutions.
• ASAE Investment Management: Talented and experienced advisors who offer investment management services based on the unique investment needs, methodologies and strategies for the association community.
• ASAE Association CareerHQ: A trusted resource for obtaining the talent required to achieve association missions and resources for individual career advancement.

Qualifications:

• A proven track record of senior leadership experience in product development, entrepreneurship, and/or association management, with a focus on revenue generation and financial sustainability.
• Strong business acumen and a demonstrated ability to create and implement profitable products, services, and revenue-generating strategies.
• Experience with developing and managing diverse product portfolios and driving business growth in an association, nonprofit, or entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and understanding of revenue models.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with key stakeholders, Board members, and staff.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, capable of navigating a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• A passion for innovation, member-centric services, and advancing the success of professional associations.

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience, with at least 5 years in product development, revenue generation, for profit experience or association management. 
• Proven track record of results driven success in driving new revenue growth through the development of partnerships, products and services for a target market.

Benefits Offered:

• Flexible Work from Home Arrangements
•  Flexible Work Hours
•  Casual Dress Code
•  Medical, Dental, Vision +
•  Flexible Spending and Health Savings Account
•  Generous 401k Retirement Plan
•  Life and AD&D Insurance
•  Short and Long-Term Disability Plans
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• AFLAC Plans
• Legal & Identity Theft Protection Plans
• Company Paid Professional Development
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Personal Computer Purchase Program

About American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)

Our organizational members are trade associations and individual membership societies that represent almost every sector of the economy and countless professions. Our 42,000 individual members—association professionals and industry partners—lead, manage, and work in or partner with organizations in more than a dozen association management disciplines, from executive management to finance to technology. Together, they represent 7,300 organizations and create a vibrant community that makes the world smarter, safer, and better every day. With support of the ASAE Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge, and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession and provides resources, education, ideas, and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. ASAE Business Services, Inc. (ABSI), ASAE’s wholly-owned subsidiary, provides business solutions to the association community that help associations grow and prosper, save time and money, and simplify the business of running an association.

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