Business Development Specialist

Description

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: An application must be completed in its entirety in a single session. The system does not allow the applicant to save their information and return later to complete the application. Please have all materials on hand before starting the application.

WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER
The Association of Former Students engages and inspires the Aggie Network for Texas A&M University in perpetuating the Aggie Spirit. Through our Annual Fund, as well as other revenue streams, we provide scholarships, endowments, emergency student loans, and awards for faculty. Our newest colleague will join our Communications team in advancing our mission through dedicated support that ensures the business development activities achieve consistent levels of excellence.

OUR CULTURE AND BENEFITS
We work in an inclusive, professional, creative, and collaborative environment that delivers a strong positive social impact to current and former students, alumni, faculty and friends of Texas A&M University. Whether researching new prospects, tracking financial impact of business development efforts, or creating presentations for current and future advertisers, this is a great position to expand your career skills. Professional development and continuous growth are fundamentals in our organization. What we do and how we do it is enhanced by using the most current tools relevant to each role.  
 
All full-time employees are eligible for generous, 100% Association-funded benefits including healthcare, life insurance equal to annual income, savings plan with six-year vesting, long-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance and exceptional holiday and paid time off schedules. The Association of Former Students is a designated non-profit employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness student loan program. Also, you may enhance your benefits through additional self-paid coverage such as short-term disability, family healthcare, increased life insurance and more, to fit your unique personal and family needs. 

A CAREER WITH IMPACT AND MEANING 

Your efforts will bring the Aggie Network to life, helping students, alumni, and faculty stay connected in meaningful ways. You will directly support scholarships, emergency student aid, and faculty excellence and help shape the future of Aggies for years to come.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Excellent time management, written and oral communication.
• Strong numerical skills that drive efficient collection, synthesis, analysis, and insightful, accurate data interpretation.
• Project Administration, including consistent sense of urgency throughout the advertising and partnership cycle, from prospect identification to revenue generation. 
• Compose communication that conveys accurate and meaningful messages to the audience and considers the story, impact, outcome, and ultimately the brand of The Association of Former Students, etc.
• Anticipate and take the initiative to continuously improve business development outcomes.
• Cultivate positive working relations through collaboration with cross-functional team members in Communications, Marketing and Creative Services, and Web Operations.
• Engagement in Marketing and Business Development events outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.

ROUTINE DUTIES
Reporting to the Manager of Marketing and Business Development:

• Actively support daily activities of the advertising program for Texas Aggie and AggieNews, including:

                * Prospect for new advertisers.

                * Review artwork for quality and size specifications. 

                * Submit invoicing to advertisers and track revenue.

                * Maintain ongoing current status dashboard.

• Support the Manager of Marketing and Business Development in creating proposals and conducting Partner prospecting:

                * Write emails and other types of correspondence.

                * Coordinate direct mail.

                * Review artwork. 

                * Submit invoicing and track revenue.

                * Maintain ongoing status dashboard.

• Work with the Creative Services team to develop materials for Corporate Partners, Event Sponsors and advertiser discussions and obligations.
• Build and strengthen relationships with current and future advertisers and partners that result in long-term agreements.
• Provide partner support for recurring events including Aggie Ring Day, All-Aggie Hullabaloo, GatheRing, such as communicating applicable details, registration page development, data collection, and invoicing. 
• Engage as needed on special projects.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (minimum requirements)

Professionalism, accuracy, efficiency, discretion and organizational skills. Exceptional proof reading and time management skills that support a high-functioning, multi-tasking, and deadline-driven work environment. Flexibility to change focus or adjust outcomes based on departmental needs. Exercise engagement to anticipate and take initiative without first being asked. Critical thinking and proactive problem solving.  Solid processing skills (MS Office Suite, Outlook, Google Suite), as well as intermediate spreadsheet and database skills (Excel).

Cross-generational communication and interpersonal skills that allow for developing strong, long-lasting relationships with a wide variety of personalities. Public speaking, including presentation of detailed information to advertisers, partners, and sponsors. 

PHYSICAL CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS 

Ability to sit or stand for long periods on occasion and carry objects up to 10 pounds. The ability to work at a desk with frequent use of keyboard and monitor. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities; if needed, please reach out to our Human Resources department to discuss your needs.

EXPERIENCE

Required: A minimum of one year of experience in business development function, such as advertiser prospecting, customer service, proposal building, agreement drafting, negotiation, project management, stewarding relationships, and ROI & data analysis.
Preferred: Three years of experience in focused business development roles such as advertiser prospecting, customer service, proposal design, advertising negotiation and contracts. Experience with project administration including data analysis.

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, business, or related discipline, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, business or related discipline from Texas A&M University in College Station. 

SUPERVISION

Received: Manager of Marketing and Business Development.
Given: None.

EMPLOYEES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMER STUDENTS

• Participate in various Association-wide activities such as engagement and fundraising goals, internal event teams, task committees, attending gameday receptions, Distinguished Alumni Gala and other external events as required. 
• Serve as an ambassador by meeting our Team Expectations, fostering relationships with students and other constituents of Texas A&M. 
• Exemplify Our Core Values.