Robert Bennett
Summary
Experienced Engagement Director with a strong understanding of the small business ecosystem, specializing in expanding organizational networks. Expertise in project management, team leadership, and strategic implementation. With over ten years of relevant experience, I am eager to contribute to a dynamic and challenging new role.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Small Business Engagement Director
Small Business Majority
05.2023 - Current
- Oversee the small business owner ambassador program that emphasizes identifying, nurturing, and involving small business owners within the organization's network to represent and advocate for key issues
- Collaborate with the Government Affairs and Communications Departments to identify and train small business owners for legislative and media opportunities, including roundtable discussions, townhalls, webinars, media outlet interviews and other prominent spokesperson roles
- Facilitate listening sessions in targeted states to expand the organization's reach and raise awareness to access to capital and opportunity for entrepreneurs in economic disadvantage and underserved communities
- Direct the development of a National Small Business Council mentorship program that leverages the Council's small business expertise to increase small business owners access to educational resources
- Oversee the development of Small Business Majority's National and State Councils small business owner media and legislative spokesperson opportunities to drive advocacy initiatives and petition campaigns
- Develop relationships with state organizations, business advocacy groups, and community business leaders in targeted states' entrepreneurial ecosystem to raise the profile of Small Business Majority and help identify individual small business owners to serve as spokespeople on key business issues
Small Business Engagement Manager
Small Business Majority
09.2021 - 05.2023
- Oversaw engagement activities with state organizations, business organizations, and/or advocacy groups to identify individual small business owners willing to serve as spokespeople on key healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, clean energy, immigration, workforce, and other business issues for media, press conferences, and government events
- Collaborated with the Communications Department to identify and prepare small business owners for media opportunities and other high-level spokesperson activities
- Oversaw the National Small Business Council engagement activity and meetings
- Oversaw the engagement of direct outreach to small businesses and business organizations through a multitude of methods, including phone banking
Business Operations Specialist
Society for Human Resources Management
03.2019 - 08.2021
- Collaborated closely with department Managers, Directors, Vice-Presidents, and the Chief Marketing & Experience Officer to design, implement and manage the annual budget and bi-annual forecasting for all segments, products, campaigns, and department initiatives
- Developed comprehensive, high-level reporting package that covers the annual and monthly budget versus the current spending for the Communications, Customer Care, Member Relations, and Speakers Bureau sectors within the Marketing Department
- Facilitated partner engagements to support and advise the financial spending for the direct mail and digital acquisition marketing programs
- Analyzed large data sets through varying software systems to present status and solutions for inefficiencies to upper management
- Served as the primary unit contact for all internal & external client billing/accounts receivables for the Marketing Department
- Performed quarterly audits and reconciliation of department expenses
Members Engagement Associate
Society for Human Resources Management
07.2018 - 03.2019
- Provided critical data updates as SHRM member relations liaison for the Northeastern territory volunteer leadership, professional and student members
- Performed routine data analysis that provided guidance, direction, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders to ensure continuity and alignment of SHRM strategic priorities and key performance indicators are fulfilled among chapter networks
- Collaborated with chapter network to actively engage volunteers through customized communication series to improve conversation, retention and increase professional membership as well as conference registrations
- Tracked performance of online e-blasts communications through key performance indicators, and trends and proposed recommendations to improve communications impact
Manager of Annual Campaigns
The ALS Association - National Office
06.2013 - 06.2018
- Successfully managed revenue diversification programs ensuring growth strategies provided the greatest impact to the organization's mission priorities
- Developed and performed data analysis that provide guidance, direction, and recommendations to senior development leadership of possible financial risks of all revenue diversification programs
- Actively engaged corporate partners and ensure the implementation of partnership benefits
- Strategized with major gifts team outreach opportunities of engagement to new corporate partnerships
- Organized campaign priorities in tandem with identifying program accomplishments and potential financial risks
- Enhanced collaboration efforts with the chapter network pursuant of funding opportunities to expand resources and critical services for the ALS community
- Processed financial transactions of all corporate contributions
Development Administrative Assistant
National Law Center on Poverty
01.2011 - 06.2013
- Supported the building and execution of the fundraising lifecycle to ensure mission priority benchmarks were accomplished
- Coordinated administrative tasks for the organization's leadership team
- Developed effective communication processes for homeless advocacy groups to ensure joint programmatic initiatives were met
- Managed donor database ensuring the integrity of $650K in organizational contributions from individual and corporate donors were following business rules
Development Assistant
Georgetown University
04.2004 - 04.2009
- Managed donor acknowledgment process, ensuring timely recognition of contributions and building strong relationships
- Participated in strategic planning sessions with development team members, contributing to long-term goals and objectives
- Conducted thorough prospect research, identifying new funding opportunities for organizational growth
- Completed projects in alignment with target deadlines and financial objectives
Education
No Degree - Communications
Prince George's Community College
Upper Marlboro, MD12-2026
Skills
- Expertise in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
- Sales Strategy and Operations
- Scheduling, Planning, and Coordinating
- Mentoring and Training Junior Team Members
- Strong Technical Skills and Proficiency
- Operations Management and Process Optimization
- Revenue Cycle Oversight and Management
- Employee Engagement and Retention Strategies
- Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
- Business Growth and Development Management
Certification
Foundations of Project Management
SHRM People Qualifications Manager
Managing People at Work
Timeline
Small Business Engagement Director
Small Business Majority
05.2023 - Current
Small Business Engagement Manager
Small Business Majority
09.2021 - 05.2023
Business Operations Specialist
Society for Human Resources Management
03.2019 - 08.2021
Members Engagement Associate
Society for Human Resources Management
07.2018 - 03.2019
Manager of Annual Campaigns
The ALS Association - National Office
06.2013 - 06.2018
Development Administrative Assistant
National Law Center on Poverty
01.2011 - 06.2013
Development Assistant
Georgetown University
04.2004 - 04.2009
No Degree - Communications
Prince George's Community College
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