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, DC, and Texas – that are each managed by a local Regional Director. The Metro Washington, DC Regional Director will build upon a strong BENS network of existing members to recruit, retain, involve, and grow the membership base in the greater Washington, DC area (to include Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland) by fundraising for BENS initiatives; recruiting new members; involving current members in BENS project work and regional programs; building business-government partnerships; and organizing regular BENS events in the Washington, DC Region.
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Metro Washington, DC Regional Director is responsible for building, growing, and guiding the Region by interacting and coordinating with DC-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 a database 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 Prospect Management and engagement 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 Washington, DC 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 projects, programs, engagements, and travel.
- With the goal of engaging the Metro Washington, DC members -- who are highly visible CEOs, EVPs, entrepreneurs, and investors -- work collaboratively with BENS’ 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.
- Cultivate, develop and grow a regionally-based “ecosystem” of potential government/public sector partners for the purpose of creating local interactions that provide engagement opportunities for members and that contribute to and further the goals of the National campaign efforts.
- Curate and maintain regular regional programing and events for Metro Washington, DC 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 locale, developing program content, developing -- with input from guest speakers, policy and/or members -- the agenda and timeline and framework of program; identifying menu; 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 read-ahead materials to attendees, and after event with any follow-up information needed.
- Coordinate check-in and registration day of event, including nametags, table place cards, distribution of marketing and/or communication materials; and other day-of-event needs.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
- 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.
- Detailed knowledge of the Washington, DC-area business environment, with the stature to develop and engage high-profile senior executives within the corporate and venture capital sectors in the region. The ideal candidate is comfortable building relationships independently, as well as through and with other senior-level 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 Customer/Constituent Relations Management Software and/or fundraising databases. Experience with Zoho CRM a plus.
- Comfort working with research tools, open-source intelligence sources, and internal data to create recruitment strategies and enact them using a variety of players and shareholders.
- Experience in fundraising preferred, or in relationship-centered sales in private industry or the non-profit world.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- B.A. at minimum, MBA or MPP a plus.
- At least 6 years of business and/or public sector experience. 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, submit your resume and cover letter via our application form.
Applications will be considered through April 15, 2025.
SUMMARY
Reporting to the Vice President (VP) of Fundraising, the Fundraising Associate supports the development and execution of fundraising initiatives to help Business Executives for National Security (BENS) meet its annual and long-term fundraising goals. This role provides critical coordination, research, database management, and reporting support and works closely with the Development and Communications teams to ensure effective donor engagement and successful fundraising events.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in coordinating fundraising activities to support and achieve BENS’s fundraising goals.
- Update, maintain, and manage the donor database and related records as they pertain to fundraising efforts.
- Support and – over time – manage the planning and execution of two annual galas, including logistics, timelines, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
- Identify, research, and track prospective donors and provide related administrative and research support.
- Assist in developing and routinely preparing reports on goals, progress, and outcomes.
- Work closely with the Communications and Publications Director in the development of fundraising-related communications, promotional materials, and donor-facing content.
- Support cross-functional collaboration with Development and Programs teams on fundraising initiatives.
- Support special fundraising projects and other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree preferred in an analytically related field, with a secondary concentration in marketing, communications, or a related discipline, desired.
- Two-plus years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, donor research, or event management preferred.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong proofreading and attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all aspects of the position.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and basic graphic tools required; experience with Zoho or a similar CRM system is strongly preferred.
- Comfort working with reports, dashboards, and fundraising data, desired.
TO APPLY
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample through this form.