Component Relations Manager

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is the world’s largest organization representing professional counselors in various practice settings. 

Our vision: We are the preeminent advocate and resource for professional counselors and their clients in a world where everyone has access to mental health services.

Our mission: Advancing mental health and well-being through advocacy, community, inclusion and research.

Our values: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Integrity, Proactive Leadership, Professional Community & Relationships, Scientific Practice & Knowledge, Social Justice & Empowerment. 

All ACA team members are encouraged, supported, and expected to demonstrate The Way We Work Values: Be Flexible, Be Creative, Be Empowered, Be Inquisitive, Be Collaborative and Be Respectful. 

JOB PURPOSE

The Component Relations Manager (CRM) plays a crucial role in building and maintaining positive relationships with our member divisions, branches, and regions. The Manager will be the primary liaison with 19 chartered divisions, 56 chartered branches and 4 regions working in collaboration with other departments within the association. The Manager will facilitate the flow of information and provide management assistance as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the staff liaison to 19 chartered divisions, 4 regions and 56 chartered branches. This includes working with the Director of Membership in preparing agendas, reports, meeting summaries and ensuring related projects and action items are completed on schedule. 
• Design and implement strategies that strengthen operational relationships, build trust between ACA and the components, and advance key ACA initiatives. This includes staying informed of key member challenges/opportunities, identifying component needs, setting standards and best practices, coordinating solutions when appropriate. and creating process(es) to ensure components receive information regarding ACA’s programs, services and organizational matters. 
• Provide management support including resources, leadership development, policies, procedures, and tools to facilitate communication. Establish and maintain relationships with component leadership to ensure exceptional customer service and responsiveness. This includes: new leader onboarding; supporting budget development and oversight as appropriate; expense and/or invoice reconciliation; and day-to-day communications and operations. 
• Develop, update, improve and implement tools to assist the various components in the management and efficiency of their operational activities.
• Collaborate with components regarding short- and long-range programming plan to ensure consistency with ACA’s strategic plan.
• Moderate and maintain community knowledge-sharing platforms; learn and adapt to new digital tools and platforms to optimize participation.
• Implement systems, processes, and programs on an ongoing basis to support membership development activities and messaging, business operations, and member engagement programs in conjunction with national campaign objectives and goals. 
• Communicates news and information, timeline reminders, helpful hints – per the monthly components communication plan and write and edits related information. 
• Ensure ACA component leadership is accurately represented in iMIS (membership requirements, ACA Connect online communities, volunteer records, etc.).
• Monthly outreach to component leadership with membership information and data as needed.
• Ensure ACA component leadership receives accurate information and reports according to Management Services Agreement, ACA’s policy and procedures and/or digital dashboards. 
• Participates and develops annual components budget.
• Assist with coordination of component-related events at the ACA Conference or other events.
• Works to engage ACA departments in component activities such as education, career or advocacy programs.
• Generates reports as needed to share progress and status updates with the Director of Membership.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field. 
• 3+ years of experience in component relations with proven experience as a Client Relationship Manager. 
• A commitment to the mission of ACA and a desire to positively impact the trajectory of a highly impactful, counselor support membership organization.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; an ability to communicate with influence and motivate.
• Aptitude for fostering positive relationships. 
• Strong collaborator with excellent organizational and people skills, and the ability to set priorities, problem-solve, and multi-task while paying attention to detail.
• High degree of flexibility to work in an innovative, fast-paced environment and readily embrace change.
• Proficiency in related software including MS Office Suite, iMIS/RiSE (or similar AMS) and Zendesk (or other customer service ticketing system).

Location & Flexibility:  Hybrid - must reside within the Washington DC Metro Area.

Please include salary requirements.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer

At ACA, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law.