Director of Engagement & State Relations

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director Arlington, VA, US

2 days ago Requisition

The position reports to the Vice President (VP) of Membership and Credentialing and leads SNA’s state affiliate engagement, state volunteer leadership development, and state relations portfolio. The position serves as a senior resource to state affiliates, strengthening their connection to the national association and supporting their capacity to operate effectively. Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of state leader education and onboarding programs, including the National Leadership Conference.

• Lead SNA’s state affiliate engagement strategy, building strong, productive relationships with state Presidents, Presidents-elect, State Association Executives (SAEs), and other state leaders to strengthen alignment between state affiliates and the National Association.
• Serve as a resource to state leaders on association management, volunteer leadership, and governance-related questions, developing tools, resources, and educational opportunities support effective state leadership.
• Maintain strong relationships with the SAEs, ensuring regular bi-directional communication and mutual support; including, planning and implementing the SAE conference, meetups at SNA conferences, and coordinating other activities in support of their growth as association leaders.
• Oversees SNA’s national awards programs and State Award of Excellence including the marketing, coordination of judging and promotion of state, regional and national winners.
• Collaborate with the Director, Membership and Service Center to develop grassroots membership campaigns and oversee the creation of resources and activations for state membership coordinators and overall member engagement.
• Oversee the state affiliation agreements and affiliate bylaws review process and serve as a resource to state leaders on governance, bylaws, and procedural matters. Address issues and exercise sound judgment in escalating matters with potential legal, compliance, reputational, policy, precedent-setting, or significant leadership implications to the Chief of Staff (COS) or VP as appropriate.
• Oversee the content strategy for state affiliate services including for State Affiliate Connection newsletter, relevant content in School Nutrition Magazine, and on the website.
• Oversee the collection of annual state conference dates and collaborate with the COS to assign members of the Board of Directors to attend according to the established visitation schedule.
• Ensure appropriate document collection and retention for materials required by the State Affiliation Agreement.
• Oversee state affiliate surveys, including an annual satisfaction survey.
• Lead and develop staff to ensure effective delivery of state affiliate services and member engagement activities, while promoting high standards of customer service, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Lead the development, planning, and execution of the National Leadership Conference (NLC) and Future Leaders Program, recommending strategic direction and ensuring alignment with SNA’s leadership development goals, state affiliate needs, and organizational priorities.
• Design the conference experience from concept through delivery, including development of annual themes, learning objectives, program structure, attendee engagement strategies, leadership tracks, and overall conference flow.
• Manage the content development process, including call-for-presentations, speaker recruitment and selection, keynote identification and contracting, educational session curation, and program evaluation.
• Partner with the Education and Conferences Center to translate conference strategy into execution.
• Oversee conference communications and marketing efforts in partnership with the Mar Com & Industry Relations Center, including promotional strategies, website content, attendee communications, and program materials.
• Administer the Future Leaders Program, including nomination solicitation, application review and selection processes, participant engagement, and leadership development activities before, during, and after the conference.
• Lead the creation,…