Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Job Opening: Asheville Chamber Visitor Center Senior Retail Associate

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking Visitor Center Senior Retail Associate. This position reports to the Director of Visitor Services and oversees the operation of the Retail Shop in the Visitor Center to ensure a variety of merchandise is available to out of town guest as well as local guests. Completion of an Associate’s degree in Marketing or Business administration, or the equivalent combination of education, related experience or training would be required to prepare for this position.  Prior work experience of at least three years in retail sales and customer service.  Up to one year in the position would be necessary to become proficient in most phases of the work. Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to lmurphy@ashevillechamber.org. Deadline is May 16th.




JOB TITLE:              Visitor Center Senior Retail Associate

REPORTS TO:         Director of Visitor Services

DEPARTMENT:      Visitor and Convention Services

PAY STATUS:         Non-exempt

________________________________________________________________________
PRIMARY FUNCTION:  Oversee the operation of the Retail Shop in the Visitor Center to ensure a variety of merchandise is available to out of town guest as well as local guest.  Provide services to the Chamber members.
 


JOB DESCRIPTION:

Assists with purchasing and displaying all items for resale in the retail shop.


Oversees the sale of Chamber publications, tickets for area attractions, golf books, etc.

Oversees inventory of sale items and updates sales reports as needed.

Compiles and prepares various operational reports daily, monthly and annually.

Maintains a clean and attractive environment  in the Asheville Shop and Visitor Center.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Completion of an Associate’s degree in Marketing or Business administration, or the equivalent combination of education, related experience or training would be required to prepare for this position.  Prior work experience of at least three years in retail sales and customer service would be required to prepare for this position.  Up to one year in the position would be necessary to become proficient in most phases of the work.

JOB KNOWLEDGE:

Must be skilled in the use of computers, Microsoft Office, Point of Sale software, and operate related office equipment.  Requires organizational skills to maintain files and logs, and compile data to generate reports.  Must possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, subordinates and the general public. Knowledge of the Chamber’s policies, goals and objectives for the Convention and Visitors Bureau is essential.  Must possess basic business skills and the ability to understand and operate on a budget.  Knowledge of the Chamber’s personnel, organizational structure, and sources for information is required.

COMPLEXITY OF DUTIES:
Performs duties according to established guidelines and procedures. 






Visitor Center Senior Retail Associate
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SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the direct supervision of the Visitor Services Assistant Manager, and Director of Visitor and Convention Services.  Typically only unusual situations would be referred to the Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCURACY:
Responsible for the accuracy of work.  Attention to detail is paramount when involved with purchasing, budgets and expenditures.  Most errors could be detected through proofing and follow-up procedures.  Undetected errors could range in severity from slight to far reaching.

CONTACT WITH OTHERS:
Have frequent internal contacts with Chamber staff and Chamber management.  External contact is with potential customers, and Chamber members.  All contacts are for the purpose of serving customers and require tact, courtesy and professional decorum.

CONFIDENTIAL DATA:
Has access to budgets and financial reports.

MENTAL /VISUAL/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The degree of concentration ranges from slight to intense based on the work being performed.  Position is subject to frequent interruptions, which require varied responses.  While performing duties of the job, the Associate is routinely required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.  Must be able to lift 40 pounds along with loading and unloading a vendor.  Requires visual acuity, manual dexterity and good eye/hand/foot/coordination.

ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a retail shop environment with limited purchasing travel and exposure to traffic.

EXTENT OF SUPERVISION:
Oversees the work of several Visitor Center volunteers on weekends
 

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Job Opening: Vice President Public Policy at the Asheville Chamber


The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking Vice President of Public Policy. This position reports to the Chamber president and directs and promotes the Chamber’s public policy initiatives. Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field. Prior work experience of up to 10 years in an industry-related position. Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to rrush@ashevillechamber.org. Deadline is May 16th.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Provides support for the success of the Manager of Public Policy.

Supports the Chamber’s volunteer Vice Chairman of Public Policy through strategic planning and implementation of the program of work.

Develops and administers the annual operating budget for the Public Policy Department.

Is responsible for raising sponsorship funds for Public Policy events, whether through the Total Resource Campaign or by personally recruiting sponsors.

Builds community consensus on public policy issues through partnerships, councils, workshops, media releases and public speeches.

Represents the Chamber and business community during public policy events and serves on boards and councils central to the community’s enhancement of public policy initiatives.

Leads and directs the Chamber in maintaining a close working relationship with elected officials.

Works closely with elected officials to build strong public/private partnerships, address the priorities detailed in the Chamber’s Strategic Plan, Program of Work, and annual legislative agenda.

Coordinates Public Policy Advisory Committee meetings as needed to make decisions on sensitive public policy issues.

Produces items for the Chamber’s e-newsletter as well as messages for Chamber social media.

Researches, plans, and implements the Chamber’s bi-annual InterCity Visit program.

Provides logistical support and planning for Asheville site visits by Chambers from other communities.

Plans and implements the Chamber’s bi-annual Business Walk canvass to identify priorities.

Provides leadership for the initiatives of the Governmental Affairs Task Force, including creation of a legislative agenda.

Provides leadership to plan and implement the Chamber leadership visits to Raleigh (in collaboration with other area chambers of commerce) and Washington to advocate the Chamber’s annual legislative agenda.

Provides leadership for planning and implementing the annual Elected Officials Reception and the annual Legislative Luncheon.

Is responsible for Asheville 5x5 investor relations in collaboration with the President and the Economic Development Coalition staff.

Provides leadership for the initiatives of the Transportation Task Force.

Plans and implements Public Policy Forums and Summits.

Provides leadership on the selection of the Chamber’s annual Excellence in Public Policy award. 

Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field. Prior work experience of up to 10 years in an industry-related position.

JOB KNOWLEDGE:
Must be able to effectively communicate and represent the Chamber’s position, programs and services to the public, media and membership. Knowledge of computers and related software is essential. Requires knowledge of Chamber members, organizational structure, departmental programs and sources for information. Must possess management and organizational skills to coordinate work of subordinates and volunteers as needed, maintain files and logs, write, proof and edit copy and compile data to generate reports. Must possess excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, subordinates and the general public.

COMPLEXITIY OF DUTIES:
Performs duties according to established Chamber guidelines and procedures. Initiative and resourcefulness are used to implement and maintain programs and apply creative communication strategies to meet the Chamber’s goals.

SUPERVISIONS RECEIVED:
Works under the supervision of the President.

REPONSIBILTY FOR ACCURACY:
Responsible for the accuracy of work performed by subordinates. A high level of accuracy is required when preparing communications material.


CONTACT WITH OTHERS:
Has frequent internal contact with the President, Department Vice Presidents, and department staff.  External contact includes frequent calls and meetings with elected officials, community leaders, volunteers, Chamber members, and the media, as appropriate to the topic and at the pleasure of the President.   All contacts are for the purpose of exchanging or providing information and require tact, courtesy and professional decorum.

CONFIDENTIAL DATA:
Has access to management discussions and employee files, which are considered confidential and would not be in the Chamber’s best interest to disclose.

MENTAL/PHYSICAL/VISUAL EFFORT:
The degree of concentration ranges from slight to intense based on the work being performed. Position is subject to frequent interruptions that require varied responses. While performing duties of the job, incumbent is routinely required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arm, talk and hear. Occasional lifting and bending is required. Requires visual acuity, manual dexterity and good eye/hand/foot coordination.

ENVIRONMENT:
Works in a normal office environment.

EXTENT OF SUPERVISION:
Supervises, motivates, evaluates and determines work priorities for assigned personnel.

SCOPE OF SUPERVISION:
Coordinates and oversees the work of one employee.

Elevate - Educate - Celebrate! National Small Business Week - May 12-16



“They” started in the dorm room, the garage, the coffee shop, the kitchen table.  “They” make up 57% of our nation’s workforce, create 65% of all net new jobs, hold 16 times as many patents, outnumber the “big guys” 1,162 to 1, and if joined together would be the 6th largest economy in the world!  “They” are “we” . . . small business owners!  In Asheville alone, “we” account for more than 24,000 firms, and growing.  Asheville’s small business diversity and entrepreneurial soul intertwines making a beautiful tapestry which holds our community together and makes Asheville a “one of a kind” place to do business.  Now THAT’s something worth celebrating!  

May 12th – 16th marks National Small Business Week, and in our traditional independent spirit, we’re doing it “Asheville Style: Elevate – Educate – Celebrate!”  Elevate your sales, Educate you and your team for future growth and Celebrate your success. 

Throughout the week, business owners will have the opportunity to learn from Asheville’s best and brightest on their secrets to success.   You’ll be able to talk one-on-one with marketing professionals to learn ways to build your sales, with bankers, accountants, attorneys and employment counselors on how to do it correctly, and with other business owners to connect and to pay it forward!   There’s no charge – or a minimal charge - to attend the events and they are scheduled throughout the city and at different times of day – so there’s no reason not to take advantage of these great opportunities!

So come join in in celebrating National Small Business Week – Asheville Style.

Elevate Your Company's Sales + Educate for Future Growth + Celebrate Your Success!
 
Tuesday - May 13th
Signs To Sales Success: Dari Mullins: Preaching What She Practices
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM / Pomodoro’s East  75 Long Shoals Road, 28704 - $ 13.00 

Wednesday - May 14th
360° Marketing Ed Expo: Marketing Pros’ Share Their Best Practices & Tips Of The Trade
 9:30 - Noon / US Cellular Center / (No Charge To Attend)

Thursday - May 15th
Not Our First Rodeo:” Stories of Successes, Survivals, Reinventions & Recoveries    
Panel Discussion of Asheville Legacy Companies on getting through economic 
and business challenges 
8:00 - 10:30 AM / UNC Asheville Campus / Sherrill Center, Mountain View Room / (No Charge To Attend)

 “Owner’s After Hours”
Meet Fellow Asheville Business Owners & Pay It Forward 
5:30 - 7:00 / Travinia / Biltmore Park / (Cost to Attend:  $ 10.00 - 100% To Junior Achievement)

Friday - May 16th
Ask The Experts
Individual Pro-Bono Consultation with Asheville’s leading service professionals
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM / Regus Office / Biltmore Park / (No Charge To Attend)

To Register:  http://fbf.unca.edu/register-future-event