Organization Overview

Running USA is a non-profit that serves as the leading trade organization for the running industry in North America and hosts the nation’s preeminent industry conference annually. Through education, research, best practices, and data, Running USA is committed to supporting and facilitating growth, diversification, and excitement in running communities everywhere. We promote networking and idea-sharing between event organizers, sponsors, vendors, and athletes. Running USA is a member of a global alliance of organizations focused on the betterment of the global running community, including the Running Industry Alliance and European Athletics.

Job Purpose

The Manager of Business Development will be responsible for creating and selling new membership opportunities and identifying sellable assets to deliver to new and existing sponsors with a goal of expanding the reach of Running USA and its mission. The person in this role will also be the main point of contact for active and lapsed members, ensuring the delivery of all member benefits and working to add value to the organization’s membership offerings. They will also serve as the point person for all sponsors, ensuring that all agreed upon deliverables are received by both parties. This is a customer-facing role, and the Manager of Business Development must develop and maintain relationships with members, sponsors and other industry partners.

Full-Time ⌧ Exempt ⌧ Remote ⌧

Duties and Responsibilities

● Lead recruitment and retention of all members across different membership tiers

● Ensure tracking and deliverability of all membership benefits

● Familiarity with membership end dates to ensure renewal and/or needed tier adjustments

● Identify lapsed members and develop strategies to return them to active status

● Establish and lead the facilitation of conversation in membership peer groups

● Lead sponsor recruitment and retention for all Running USA events and initiatives, including but not limited to Running Industry Conference, Global Runner Survey, Industry Meetups and webinars.

● Ensure fulfillment of all deliverables are met in a timely manner

● Manage monthly invoicing

● Attend and execute initiatives during Running USA Industry Annual Conference

● Potentially represent Running USA at key events (including but not limited to New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon) and conferences (may include RRCA, TRE, RIA, ERBC)

● Available to attend two in-person and two virtual Board of Directors meetings

● Manage cleanliness of data in HubSpot and other databases, ensuring accurate reporting and metrics

Qualifications/ Requirements

●     Ability to manage multiple deadlines

●     Experience supporting events, activations and team operations

●     Excellent people and networking skills

●     Ability to manage and interpret data

●     Proven ability to build, cultivate and maintain long-term sponsor and partner relationships

●     Experience negotiating sponsorship agreements and managing contract deliverables

●     Ability to identify new partnerships and revenue opportunities

●     Skilled in stakeholder communication across executive, corporate and team environments

●     Strong client service mindset with proactive issue resolution skills

●     Excellent and effective personal and communication skills, both oral/written

●     Strong planning, organizational and follow-up skills

●     Ability to work on multiple concurrent projects and excel in a fast-paced environment

●     Risk assessment and contingency planning abilities

●     Knowledge of Google Workspace and HubSpot

●     Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access & Outlook)

Education/Experience

●     Bachelor’s degree minimum or equivalent in Marketing, Communications, Sports Management, Business Development, Membership Management is preferred

●     Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting/producing running events or related business

●     Self-motivated with the ability to work independently

●     Working knowledge of the endurance sports industry

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

●     Must possess high level of professionalism and executive presence

●     Moderate walking, standing, and/or climbing, heavy lifting and carrying, bending, kneeling and reaching. Work both inside and outside.

●     Ability to travel to all Running USA Conference(s) and other events as required

●     Adaptable and resilient in high-pressure environments

●     The employee may be asked to occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds

Compensation: Target salary of $60,000 per year

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to humanresources@runningusa.org