Cooperative Business Developer

Cooperative Development Institute; Northampton (MA); Remote; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is on the lookout for a Cooperative Business Developer to join their mission of transforming ownership in the economy. This role involves providing technical assistance to cooperative businesses, supporting network development, and offering administrative support to the Business Services team. The ideal candidate will have experience in project management, facilitation, and business planning, with a strong commitment to cooperative principles. If you are passionate about fostering inclusive economic prosperity and have the skills to drive cooperative initiatives, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Paid Time Off (3 weeks vacation)

Health Benefits

Home Office Stipend

Family and Medical Leave

Parental Leave

Mileage Reimbursement

Retirement Plan Contribution

Five-week Sabbatical after 5 years

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of project management experience in nonprofit or public sectors.
• Experience with facilitation, training, coaching, and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to cooperative businesses and groups.
• Support the expansion of cooperative development networks.
• Assist in organizational and administrative tasks for the Business Services team.

Skills

Project Management

Facilitation

Training

Coaching

Conflict Resolution

Business Planning

Interpersonal Communication

Emotional Intelligence

Written Communication

Oral Communication

Critical Thinking

Creative Problem Solving

Organization

Bilingual (Preferred)

Job description

Job Opening: Cooperative Business Developer

Snapshot: CDI is transforming ownership of our economy so everyone can fulfill their needs and aspirations. We’re seeking an experienced co-op business developer to join our team and contribute to the creation of a cooperative ecosystem. Let’s work together!

Reports to: Director of Immigrant Services

Geography: Must reside in the Northeast (New England and New York)

Compensation and hours: Between $30 – $33 an hour depending on experience for 40 hours/week. FLSA non-exempt/hourly. Paid time off (3 weeks vacation, increasing to 4 weeks after two years’ tenure, plus 9 paid holidays/year). Five-week sabbatical after five years. Health benefits. Home Office stipend. Family and Medical Leave. Parental leave. Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate. Ability to contribute to a retirement plan.

Essential Job Functions: Cooperative Business Developer

1. Co-op Developer – Provide technical assistance to cooperative businesses and groups forming cooperatives. Duties include:

1. Provide education, training, technical assistance and leadership development for clients, often working closely with partner organizations
2. Contribute to feasibility studies, business plans, financial pro forma and bylaws
3. Understand and teach a cooperative development process
4. Facilitate meetings and presentations
5. Write project progress reports, as required

2. Cooperative Ecosystem Supporter – Support the expansion and cultivation of cooperative development networks and knowledge in CDI’s region. Duties include:

1. Support and connect to network development (including grant) efforts in priority areas as requested
2. Support the organizing of CDI events
3. Represent CDI in regional and national networks
4. Assist in outreach to and cultivation of partners, funders and other allies
5. Support coordination with CDI training programs, networks, and communities of practice
6. Assist with clients’ grant writing

3. Administrative Supporter – Provide organizational and administrative assistance and project management for the Business Services team and programs, including:

1. Assist in responding to new inquiries
2. Contribute to grant and other reporting, data collection, and evaluation processes
3. Support contractor relationship building and invoicing as applicable
4. Attend and participate in team and other internal meetings
5. Support the project management of specific projects, as assigned

Organizational Expectations

1. Attend and participate in retreats and other strategic meetings or all-staff meetings, including training and coaching opportunities that support professional and organizational development
2. Build positive and collaborative relationships with other CDI staff
3. Demonstrate personal responsibility and accountability in performing job duties
4. Model respect and collaboration with staff and clients

Minimum Qualifications:

1. 3 to 5 years of project management and development in the nonprofit, private or public sectors.
2. Experience with facilitation, training, coaching and conflict resolution.

Required Skills

1. Experience with business planning, budgeting, and development
2. Strong interpersonal communication, self-leadership, and emotional intelligence skills
3. Strong written and oral communication skills
4. Demonstrated success in building and organizing communities in a culturally and linguistically appropriate environment
5. Demonstrated experience in working remotely/independently
6. Critical thinking and creative problem solving, individually and with small and large groups
7. Highly organized and detail-oriented
8. Preferred Bilingual

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Desired but not required

If these are not already acquired, we support these abilities in being developed within the first 12 months of employment.

1. Additional communication skills, including confidence in public speaking, consensus-building strategies and conflict mediation techniques
2. Knowledge and comfort with democratically-run organizational structures, boards of directors, operational management, and cooperative policies

Other Desired Characteristics

1. Comfortable in a highly autonomous, remote/virtual staff structure, managing multiple tasks and priorities, and meeting deadlines with discipline and self-direction
2. Resourceful, innovative and efficient in figuring out answers and solutions to questions and challenges
3. Works collaboratively, self-motivated, flexible, enthusiastic
4. Demonstrates a strong belief in cooperatives
5. Can be available occasionally on evenings and weekends if needed
6. Ability to travel

Inclusion

We don’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. CDI is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

We promote economic prosperity for all through our work with our clients, our hiring practices, and our vigorous commitment to cooperative principles. We strive daily to acknowledge and eliminate all forms of oppression. By examining bias within ourselves and our organization, we work mindfully to make our board and staff more inclusive. We actively fight against racism, classism, gender inequality and all efforts to marginalize anyone. The nature of our work engages us directly with the working poor, the elderly, immigrants and refugees. It is our goal to see all of our clients prosper within the cooperative movement.

We welcome applicants from underrepresented identities, and those who have a commitment and track record of bringing an inclusive and equitable approach to their work.

To apply, please fill out the form below. The position will remain open until filled. Please supply a cover letter with your resume. Three references will be requested before an offer is made.

Candidate Name

Phone

Email

Location *

Vacancy

Which job are you applying for?

Select or type to search...

How did you hear about this position opening?

Attachments