SAAGNY Executive Director

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive and sole employee of the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY), reporting to and working in partnership with the President and Board of Directors. The Executive Director has overall responsibility for the strategic, operational, and financial leadership of the association and is accountable for advancing SAAGNY's Mission, Vision, Bylaws, and Policies.

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that SAAGNY serves the evolving needs and interests of its members while positioning the association for long-term growth and success. This leader will drive membership growth, revenue generation, member engagement, industry advocacy, and organizational effectiveness. Working collaboratively with the Board, committees, volunteers, industry suppliers, distributors, strategic partners, and allied organizations, the Executive Director will enhance the value of membership, increase sponsorship and tradeshow participation, cultivate key industry relationships, and strengthen SAAGNY's role as the leading voice and resource for the promotional products industry throughout the region.

Responsibilities

Membership

• Maintenance and management of current membership database to ensure accuracy and completeness of member information and periodically assist with data requests.
• Serve as a primary information point of contact for current and prospective members. Respond to inquiries, providing follow up as necessary from request to resolution on a day-to-day basis.
• Assist with implementation of membership marketing, including marketing collateral and mass emails, retention programs, and campaigns.
• Develop and execute annual membership growth and retention strategies.
• Establish measurable membership recruitment goals and regularly report results to the Board.
• Build relationships with prospective members across suppliers, distributors, decorators, and service providers.
• Create programs that increase engagement and attract emerging professionals entering the promotional products industry.
• Monitor member satisfaction and identify new programs, services, and benefits that increase member value and retention.
• Leverage data and industry trends to improve membership growth and engagement.

Financial Management

• Complete budget preparation and monitoring; ensuring SAAGNY is financially viable, sustainable with the resources to meet current and projected growth.
• Banking – deposit all checks and review of bank statements.
• Prepare all QBO entries – record all expenses and revenue including payment of bills.
• Credit card reconciliation through various merchant accounts.
• Report on all accounting to Boards including prep and monitoring of reports as required for each board meeting making necessary recommendations to Board and subsequent Committees – Investment and Budget and Finance Committee.
• Meeting with Investment Committee/Advisor and Accountant as appropriate.
• Assist in every three-year audit.
• Ensure that SAAGNY is in compliance with relevant state and federal laws, regulations, and with standard accounting procedures. Maintaining SAAGNY non-profit and tax-exempt status. Process annual state paperwork for SAAGNY.
• Develop and execute strategies to diversify and increase revenue streams.
• Establish annual revenue targets for membership, sponsorships, educational programs, and events.
• Analyze financial performance and recommend proactive strategies to improve organizational sustainability.

Events, Trade Shows, and Programs

• Develop and produce current trade shows including marketing, administration, payments, and logistics.
• Seek, develop, and recommend new opportunities for networking and revenue producing events/programs.
• Supervise, recommend, and contribute to Promotions East Trade Show Management Team, third party vendors, and contractors.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy for Promotions East, sponsorship opportunities, exhibits, and tabletop events.
• Achieve annual exhibitor, sponsorship, attendance, and revenue goals established by the Board.
• Lead efforts to ensure Promotions East remains financially successful and delivers measurable value to exhibitors, attendees, sponsors, and members.
• Build and maintain relationships with key industry suppliers, distributors, sponsors, and strategic partners.
• Develop and execute educational webinars and seminars to the benefit of the membership.
• Negotiate all contractual relationships in relation to events, trade shows, and programs.
• Manage volunteers, committees, contractors, and detailed logistics of all events, trade shows, and programs.
• Registrations– emails, follow up, event set up, contract negotiation for all events, trade shows, and programs.
• Develop post-event analytics and recommendations to continuously improve profitability and member engagement.

Communication

• Communicate regularly with Board of Directors.
• Prepare, design, and manage newsletter, mass emails, and social media (X, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).
• Update and maintain SAAGNY website including website news blog with relevant information.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders including board members, volunteer leaders, third-party partners, to ensure proper messaging, timing, and execution of the plan and support of specific events.
• Speak effectively on behalf of SAAGNY in public settings when needed.
• Position SAAGNY as the leading regional voice within the promotional products industry.
• Promote the value and impact of membership through strategic communications and storytelling.
• Represent SAAGNY at industry events and meetings.

Operations

• Manage and maintain Awards Program including design, logistics, and execution.
• Develop and maintain Volunteer Responsibilities and Goals/Strategies.
• Design and execute mailing of SAAGNY Annual Wall Calendar.
• Maintenance of storage facility.
• Establish systems, processes, and accountability measures that improve organizational efficiency and execution.
• Ensure committees, volunteers, and projects remain aligned with strategic priorities and timelines.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead development and implementation of a multi-year strategic plan.
• Establish measurable organizational goals and key performance indicators.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the Board on industry trends, membership growth opportunities, and emerging challenges.
• Build partnerships that increase the association's value, visibility, and influence.
• Drive innovation in programs, events, education, and member services.
• Work with the Board and Committees ensuring efforts are well-organized and aligned with SAAGNY mission, goals, objectives, and policies.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the SAAGNY strategic plan on an ongoing basis and recommends revisions needed to achieve SAAGNY purpose.

Board and Committee Support

• Actively participate in and provide leadership for Board including planning, facilitating, and preparing for all Board Meetings.
• Provide detailed data (prior minutes, agenda, and ancillary documents) prior to meetings. Manage and attend all Committee Meetings – including setting agenda, reviewing minutes, meeting schedule, zoom set up, calendaring.
  • Maintain positive relations and communicate with regional and national associations.
• Provides guidance to Board members and volunteer leaders to assist them in executing their responsibilities.

Industry & Strategic Partnership Development

• Maintain and expand relationships with key industry suppliers, distributors, decorators, buying groups, and service providers.
• Actively collaborate with industry organizations including regional associations, PPAI, MPI, AMA, and other strategic partners.
• Identify opportunities for joint education, networking, thought leadership, and advocacy initiatives.
• Represent SAAGNY as a respected industry leader and advocate.

To Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter and current résumé to info@saagny.org.  The cover letter should outline how your experience fits the requirements of the position as this will be an important factor in considering your candidacy.

Professional Qualifications

• Previous association management experience with financial management capabilities and fiscal accountability.
• Highly organized and definitive time management skills.

• Effective contract negotiating and collaboration skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Experience contributing to the development, implementation, and execution of strategic plans, both short and long term.
• A visionary leader who can conceptualize long-term goals and translate them into a succinct, understandable, and actionable hands-on plan.
  • Ability to think proactively and creatively.
  • Ability to manage and grow the resources of the association.
• Commitment to results; 'can-do" mindset with emphasis on accountability.
• Knowledge of Office Suite, Wild Apricot, QBO, and Excel desired.
• Demonstrated success growing membership, sponsorships, and non-dues revenue.
• Proven track record of business development, sales, and relationship management.
• Experience leading profitable trade shows, conferences, or industry events.
• Ability to build consensus and drive accountability among volunteer leaders and committees.
• Strong project management and organizational leadership skills.
• Ability to use data, metrics, and market insights to drive decision-making.
• Knowledge of the promotional products industry.
• Existing relationships within the supplier, distributor, or industry association community.
• Experience working with nonprofit trade associations.