Please apply on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/talent/hire/1492290018/job-post

The Senior Vice President, Membership (SVP) is a core leader on the SFA’s executive team, driving a transformative vision to grow and retain our membership, foster a vibrant specialty food community, and deliver exceptional member value through impactful benefits and educational programs. In this strategic leadership role, the SVP will directly contribute to advancing SFA’s mission to champion, connect, and support the success of our specialty food members.

Primary Responsibilities:

External Leadership & Advocacy

o Serve as an ambassador for SFA, representing our mission at industry events and fostering alliances across the specialty food sector.

o Forge partnerships and cultivate relationships with industry organizations, increasing the reach and impact of the SFA’s member offerings.

o Participate actively in SFA Board meetings, contributing insights to support strategic decisions.

o Innovate and develop retention and virtual/in-person engagement strategies, fostering a tightly-knit, connected specialty food community.

Strategic Membership Development

o Design and lead initiatives that attract, engage, and retain members, leveraging data insights and member feedback to enhance experiences and refine service offerings, ensuring relevance across diverse membership segments.

o Oversee member benefit strategies, ensuring that all programs—from education, networking, awards, and recognition—are impactful, valuable, and align with industry trends.

o Develop initiatives for a more inclusive membership experience that adds value across all member types, including makers, retailers, brokers, and distributors.

Internal Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

o Play a vital role on the executive team in defining the SFA’s vision and translating it into actionable strategies for membership growth development, and retention.

o Lead a collaborative culture of innovation, identifying growth areas and establishing departmental KPIs to drive accountability and success.

o Partner cross-functionally to craft data-driven insights, generate competitive analysis, and enhance member segmentation strategies to boost engagement and satisfaction.

Program Development & Operational Oversight

o Direct and inspire a high-caliber membership team, setting ambitious goals in membership growth, retention, engagement, member development, and community that reflects the value SFA offers.

o Oversee the strategy and implementation of SFA’s Education Program to ensure it aligns with our members’ evolving needs and delivers timely, relevant educational content.

o Engage and negotiate with business service providers to establish partnerships and member-exclusive agreements. These relationships will deliver high-value, discounted services that members would not be able to access independently, adding tangible benefits that increase the overall value of SFA membership.

o Oversee the development and delivery of SFA’s member benefits, including problem- solving tools, business-building opportunities, and relationship-driven programs.

o Drive continuous improvement by leveraging technology and insights, fostering an environment where member feedback directly informs program refinement.

Essential Qualifications:

Industry Expertise & Leadership:

o Minimum of 15 years of executive experience within the specialty food industry, with a strong understanding of the maker community and supporting ecosystem.

o Proven ability to cultivate meaningful relationships within the industry, foster member engagement, and enhance member value through strategic partnerships.

Strategic Visionary & Innovator:

o Demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative, data-driven strategies for membership growth, development, retention, and engagement.

o Proficiency in driving organizational change and adapting to industry trends that ensure

SFA’s offerings remain competitive and member centric.

Relationship Builder & Strategic Connector

o Demonstrated ability to cultivate meaningful connections across a diverse community of members, associations, incubators, accelerators, and other industry stakeholders.

o Skilled in identifying and prioritizing the most impactful opportunities to drive value for members and the organization.

Communication & Public Engagement:

o Strong public speaking skills with the ability to convey complex strategies and drive engagement across diverse audiences.

o Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, essential for collaboration with the Board, staff, and industry stakeholders.

Team Builder & Motivator:

o Experience in leading and inspiring diverse, cross-functional teams, building an environment of shared goals and high performance.

o Skilled in identifying and overcoming barriers to success, with a collaborative approach to leadership that energizes team members.

Technical Skills

o Proficiency with membership and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and data analytics platforms (such as Tableau or Power BI) is important to monitor membership trends and engagement effectively. Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) and a high level of comfort using digital communication tools is preferred.

o Candidates should be adept at leveraging data insights to inform membership strategies and demonstrate the technical skills to support a data-driven membership approach.

Behavioral Competencies

o Empathy for members and staff alike is a critical competency in this role. The SVP of Membership must demonstrate resilience, flexibility, and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust across all levels.

o A strategic mindset with adaptability to respond to changes in industry trends, member needs, and internal priorities, fostering a resilient membership culture.

Performance Expectations:

The SVP of Membership will be responsible for achieving measurable growth in membership acquisition, retention, and engagement, with accountability for increasing membership by 10% annually and enhancing overall member satisfaction by at least 10% within the first year.

Set and monitor KPIs for membership growth, retention, development, and engagement, with clear objectives to drive a stronger, more connected community.

Cultural Alignment and Values:

At SFA, we value collaboration, innovation, and a member-first approach. The ideal candidate will foster a culture of trust and support, inspiring a membership team that is deeply committed to delivering unparalleled value and exceptional service to our community.

This role requires an adaptable, mission-driven leader who believes in continuous improvement, champions team development, and fosters a collaborative, member-first culture that reflects SFA’s dedication to integrity and excellence.

About Specialty Food Association

Welcome to the Specialty Food Association, where we create, connect, support, and share the extraordinary experience of specialty food with the world.

Connections working at Specialty Food Association