Employment & Fellowship Opportunities
Join the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) team and become part of a dynamic network of elite business leaders, senior national security officials, and dedicated professionals. Together, we are united in our mission to apply best practices to tackle the Nation’s most pressing security challenges, driving meaningful impact at the intersection of business and national security.
JOBS AND FELLOWSHIPS
BENS operates seven regional offices – Atlanta/Southeast, Boston, California, Chicago, Metro New York, Metro Washington, D.C., and Texas – that are each managed by a local Regional Director. The Metro New York Regional Director will build upon a strong BENS network of existing members to recruit, retain, involve, and grow the membership base in the greater New York (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) area by fundraising for BENS activities; recruiting new members; involving current members in BENS project work and regional programs; building business-government partnerships; and organizing regular BENS events in the Metro New York Region. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Metro New York Regional Director is responsible for building, growing, and guiding the Region by interacting and coordinating with D.C.-based Programs and Development staff and working with existing members to reach identified financial and programmatic goals. This position is a fast-paced, entrepreneurial role that works collaboratively across the organization, and requires strategic-level thinking, effective research and data-use skills, experience with events and logistics, and hands-on ownership of administrative functions, including daily use of BENS's constituent relations management system to track and maintain constituent information.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain and grow regional membership and revenue.
- Identify potential new members via networking, research, and member referrals. Organize initial outreach and engagement of constituents by leveraging and nurturing existing BENS member relationships.
- Recruit new members, both independently and with support from BENS’ Chairman, CEO, COO, Board Members, Chief Development Officer, and VP for Development.
- Maintain relationships with existing and potential members to develop engagement and prospect management strategies that cultivate deeper ties to ensure renewal and new member revenue.
- Prepare executive briefings for BENS’ CEO in advance of meetings with potential or existing members.
- Implement a personalized identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship approach with all prospects and members.
- Track major actions and personal information for all members and prospects in the centralized BENS database of record.
- Work with the national Development team to recruit sponsors of the twice-annual BENS Eisenhower Award Dinners.
- Continue to expand the Metro New York membership base by working to recruit and retain members with diverse backgrounds, expertise and experience.
- Engage regional members to increase retention and participation in BENS initiatives, engagements, and travel.
- With the goal of engaging the Metro New York members – who are highly visible CEOs, EVPs, entrepreneurs, and investors – work collaboratively with BENS’s Programs team to support the development and implementation of national policy programs, and recruit members to projects based on expertise needs and/or member interest.
- Oversee and manage the “BENS relationship” for each member and prospect to develop good stewardship techniques and ensure deep engagement across the organization.
- Provide support as needed for nationally generated events and activities hosted in the region.
- Curate and maintain regular regional programming and events for Metro New York regional members and potential members.
- Design and implement a series of 12-15 regional programs annually, including larger speaker events, smaller roundtable conversations, and special VIP dinners and lunches.
- Coordinate all logistics of regional events, including booking location/venue, developing program content, developing – with input from guest speakers, programs team, and/or members – the agenda and timeline and framework of program; deciding menu; and sending out or coordinating invitations to members, prospects and government attendees.
- Track RSVPs, follow-up invitations, event payments, and attendee information in BENS’ centralized database.
- Communicate details, logistics, and any pre-event readaheads to attendees, and follow-up with attendees after events as needed.
- Coordinate check-in and registration on the day of the event, including nametags, table place cards, distribution of marketing and/or communication materials; and other day-of-event needs.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Experience in fundraising strongly preferred, or in relationship-centered sales in private industry or the non-profit world.
- Highly entrepreneurial and creative, with energy, discipline, and strong organizational skills. Self-starter able to work independently and handle administrative responsibilities with minimal support.
- Team player with ability to collaborate and integrate with multiple stakeholders, including members, organization staff and government representatives as needed.
- Strong oral and written communications skills.
- Detailed knowledge of the Metro New York-area business environment, with the stature to develop and engage high-profile senior executives within the corporate and financial services sectors in the region. The ideal candidate is comfortable building relationships independently, as well as in cooperation with other contacts.
- Experience with public/private partnerships, even if only as an engaged volunteer, is a plus. Knowledge of how the government sector is organized and operates, as well as public policy imperatives, is also helpful.
- An interest in, and passion for, national security; a desire to apply his/her skills to “make a difference.” Experience with or understanding of military, government and Department of Defense/national security community and history a plus.
- Demonstrated experience working with CRM software and/or fundraising databases. Experience with Blackbaud’s The Raiser's Edge is ideal.
- Comfort working with research tools, open-source intelligence, and internal data to develop and execute recruitment strategies involving diverse stakeholders.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA or MPP preferred.
- At least 6 years of business and/or public sector experience. Demonstrated experience in fundraising and/or corporate membership recruitment strongly preferred. For candidates coming from the private sector, a combination of targeted, high-level marketing and sales experience in a value-added environment is desired, ideally, with experience of growing a business to the next level.
.
TO APPLY
To apply, email your resume and cover letter to Ms. Haley Lamm.
Applications will be considered through May 30, 2025.
The Stanley A. Weiss Fellowship program places high-performing individuals at the intersection of national security and industry. In today’s rapidly evolving and increasingly complex security landscape, seamless collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential. Stanley A. Weiss Fellows play a key role in supporting Business Executives for National Security (BENS) in their mission to unite national security and business leaders in strengthening our Nation’s security.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Stanley A. Weiss Fellows are essential members of the BENS team, contributing to the organization’s goals by working closely with government partners and BENS Members within the national security community.
Fellows will:
- Develop subject matter expertise on national security issues through comprehensive research and presentations delivered to BENS' leadership.
- Track and analyze developments on relevant policy issues, including critical infrastructure; geopolitics and economic statecraft; efforts to recruit and retain a talented national security workforce; and security implications of emergent technology.
- Support BENS staff in outreach and engagement with national security-focused government partners and business leaders.
- Assist with event preparation, draft media pieces, reports, and memos; and cover Congressional hearings and key meetings.
- Maintain and update membership databases.
- Set up and break down office events.
- Provide general administrative support.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Event Participation: Fellows will attend in-person and virtual events, such as panels, roundtables, and speaker series, gaining exposure to key national security figures and ideas.
- Mentorship: Fellows will receive mentorship from BENS staff and private sector leaders with experience in the military, government, and key industries.
- Networking: Fellows will have the opportunity to connect with BENS staff and program alumni with prestigious Washington backgrounds.
- Brownbag Lunches & Visits: Fellows will attend informal discussions with senior professionals and visits to institutions such as the State Department, White House, and agencies within the Intelligence Community.
SKILLS
- Effective research, writing, data analysis, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks.
- Exceptional interpersonal and professional skills – candidates should feel comfortable interacting at a high-level with senior business executives, military/government leaders, and staff at other nonprofits.
- Collaborative and independent work skills.
- Computer-literate and internet-savvy
- Preferred interest or experience in, but not required:
- Latin American Foreign Policy
- Critical Infrastructure
- Defense Industrial Base
- Critical Supply Chains
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- BENS accepts applicants from all backgrounds and degree programs.
- Most applicants have, or are in the process of completing, an undergraduate or graduate degree.
- However, candidates at any stage of their professional development may be considered.
TERM
The summer fellowship will begin in early-June and end in mid-August. Fellows are paid an hourly wage at the current D.C. minimum wage and receive metro travel benefits. Fellows are expected to work full-time, though exceptions for academic conflicts will be made for outstanding candidates.
TO APPLY
To apply, email a resume, cover letter, and a 2-3 page writing sample to Ms. Sofia Olgado.
Complete applications must be submitted by Thursday, April 3 to be considered for the summer term.