Director, Network Development
Opportunity Guide
 
http://www.cfsinnovation.com/
 
“To advance consumer financial health in the United States.”
 

The Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI) operates on the principle that finance can be a force for good in people’s lives.  However, the current marketplace inadequately addresses the financial needs of more than 68 million Americans.  Thus, CFSI works to understand those needs, help develop products that foster financial health, and support the most innovative ideas from across the financial services industry.
 
CFSI was formed in 2004 in response to a research project which found that Americans are faced with an inadequate supply of well-designed, reasonably-priced financial products and services to both meet short-term needs and provide opportunities for longer-term wealth creation.  Using four Compass Principles, embrace inclusion, build trust, create opportunity, and promote success, CFSI evaluates quality in financial products and practices and supports innovation in order to positively impact the consumer-provider relationship. 
 
CFSI has built a dynamic network which includes retail banks, credit unions, credit bureaus, payments networks, non-bank financial institutions, start-ups, and research partners at top universities.  CFSI currently has significant relationships with 60 network partners; however, significant growth is projected due to the breadth of possible partnerships in the marketplace.  CFSI engages this network, and the larger marketplace, through events such as its Innovators Roundtable and the annual EMERGE Forum, insights from research such as the U.S. Financial Diaries, our innovation group, and CFSI Advisory Services.
 
Now, as CFSI enters its second decade of leadership in the financial services sector, it is transitioning to a new membership structure.  With this exciting change comes the ability to increase its reach, engagement and impact with current stakeholders.  More, it creates opportunities for CFSI to expand into additional segments which affect the marketplace and consumer health. 
 
The Opportunity:  Director, Network Development
 
The Director, Network Development is a newly created role at CFSI, the need for which was identified as the organization prepares to transition to its new membership structure.  The organization desires to be more intentional and structured in its business development practice, allowing CFSI to provide more value to existing partners, as well as expand its network to enhance mission fulfillment.  The ultimate end goal and definition of success for this new position is deeper and broader engagement of the industry in the mission of CFSI.  Reporting to the Vice President, Network Engagement, the Director will be tasked with re-shaping CFSI’s business development practice, building internal structure, processes and systems, to align with organizational strategy, as well as overseeing CFSI’s account management, ensuring that key stakeholders are effectively guided through the transition. 
 
Performance Objectives
 
Business Development

• Assess resources needed to implement Business Development plan in alignment with organizational strategy.
• Translate broad theories and strategies into clear, actionable objectives and initiatives.
• Establish and ensure achievement of key sales targets and performance indicators for members of the Business Development team, including new sales, overall revenues, etc.
• Develop and implement strategies to expand CFSI’s membership base, ensuring mission connect remains at the forefront of all decision making.
• Build internal Business Development processes to align with transactional membership model and ensure that they are effectively communicated throughout CFSI. 
• Prepare and support Senior Leadership team members as necessary for potential Business Development opportunities.

 
Account Management

• Formalize client engagement processes to ensure value is continuously delivered and communicated throughout the client lifecycle.
• Effectively communicate and ensure buy-in of the new processes across CFSI.
• Oversee and maintain relationships with key individuals within client organizations, ensuring that valued stakeholders are effectively and aptly transitioned into the new membership model.
• Ensure success of tiered membership structure, evaluating current stakeholders and clients and identify any opportunities to up or cross-sell where appropriate.
• Drive service excellence, ensuring mission alignment and focus, while maintaining overall client satisfaction.

 
Leadership and Staff Management

• Develop and implement measurable objectives, strategies, budgets, and timelines for Business Development and Account Management Departments.
• Provide collaborative leadership across CFSI throughout the transition to the new membership model, interfacing particularly closely with Marketing and Strategic Partnership Departments to ensure consistency and buy-in.
• Lead, develop, motivate, supervise and maintain a highly effective, productive and cohesive Business Development and Account Management staff with both professional/technical expertise and operational talent.  This team is currently projected to have 4 positions, and may expand or contract with the input and leadership of the newly hired individual.
• Work closely with the Vice President, Network Engagements to devise team structure and strategy.
• Lead and manage staff through internal transition period with a lens of flexibility, openness to suggestions, and the ability to resolve/mitigate conflict.
• Serve as key liaison to Senior Leadership team, providing consistent feedback on business development opportunities and growth.
• Represent CFSI as required to financial partners, serving as an articulate and enthusiastic spokesperson for the organization and its mission.

 
The Qualified Candidate
 
The Center for Financial Services Innovation seeks a driven and dynamic professional with proven Business Development and Account Management leadership experience.  The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to build processes, ideally from the ground up in order to maximize Business Development potential.  A track record of growing and reshaping an existing membership/network/channel structure will be an added bonus.  Aptitude for building trust and consensus while navigating change management both internally and externally is essential and it is imperative that this individual fully support the mission of CFSI.       
 
Specific Requirements Include:
 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree or equivalent advanced training preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in Business Development, Account Management or related roles.
• At least 5 years of leadership and management, with documented ability to manage staff and lead teams.
• Proven ability to build strong external relationships with a variety of corporate stakeholders.
• Track record in internal process building required; demonstrated success at navigating a significant transition in business development and account management preferred.
• Proven success in building strong and productive work teams with a focus on mentoring and nurturing staff development.
• Strong analytic and strategic-thinking skills, with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans, and translate those plans into goals and concrete strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including a collaborative nature that lends itself to building trust both internally and externally.
• Desire to work in a fast-paced environment; must readily accept change and be highly flexible.
• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve or exceed goals and meet deadlines.
• Career track record that shows stability with an organization and capacity to develop and nurture relationships culminating in overall success.
• Ability to focus decision making through the lens of CFSI’s mission.

 
This position offers a competitive salary with strong benefits. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.
CFSI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.
 
 
To Apply
 
This search is being managed by Heather A. Eddy, CFRE, President and CEO of Alford Executive Search.  To apply, candidates must complete the online application at http://alfordexecutivesearch.applicantstack.com/x/openings and thereon submit their cover letter and resume.  To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. Questions may be addressed to Kelly Monahan at kmonahan@alfordexecutivesearch.com.
 
Alford Executive Search (www.alfordexecutivesearch.com) is a retained search firm dedicated to providing recruitment services of exceptional quality and strengthening the not-for-profit community through professional staffing solutions.