[GACC - Colorado Chapter] Director Commercial & Ecosystem Development at German-American Chamber of Commerce, Colorado Chapter

TO APPLY TO THIS POSITION, please send your CV together with a short cover letter outlining your motivation and why you are a good fit for this role to samantha.seems(at)gacc-co.org

About GACC Colorado

The German American Chamber of Commerce Colorado (GACC Colorado) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to strengthening economic, business, and cultural ties between Germany and Colorado. As part of the global German Chamber Network (AHKs), GACC Colorado connects businesses, professionals, entrepreneurs, government organizations, and communities through events, networking opportunities, business services, and strategic partnerships. As the organization continues to grow, GACC Colorado is implementing a more structured operating model focused on accountability, operational excellence, member value, and sustainable growth.

Position Overview

GACC Colorado is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Director of Commercial & Ecosystem Development to lead membership growth, sponsorship development, strategic partnerships, and business services while strengthening Colorado's German-American business ecosystem. This role is responsible for driving revenue growth, member engagement, and ecosystem expansion while serving as a trusted advisor and relationship builder for members, sponsors, strategic partners, and stakeholders throughout Colorado.

The Director serves as the commercial leader of the organization and works closely with the Executive Director, Operations Director, sponsors, members, economic development organizations, and community partners. The ideal candidate combines business development expertise, relationship-building skills, commercial acumen, and a passion for supporting international business and community growth.

Reporting Structure

Reports To: Executive Director (Visionary)

Works Closely With: Operations Director (Integrator), Senior Project Manager Experiences, Office & Communications Manager, Members and Sponsors, Economic Development Organizations, Government and Community Partners, GACC Midwest and AHK Network

Key Responsibilities

Membership Growth & Retention

Serve as the primary leader for membership growth and member engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute membership growth strategies
• Recruit and onboard new members, targeting German subsidiaries and Colorado companies engaged in transatlantic trade
• Maintaining and developing the CRM system as the heart of customer knowledge
• Lead annual membership renewal process
• Conduct member outreach and relationship management activities
• Refine member benefits and membership tiers
• Develop retention and engagement programs
• Identify opportunities to increase member value
• Collaborate with the event team to convert attendees into members
• Conduct member satisfaction assessments and improvement initiatives
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications on promoting and advertising membership and member storytelling
• Maintain strong relationships with key accounts and strategic members
• Funnel member needs into the GACC ecosystem as input for programming topics, actively selling GACC services, and facilitating referrals among members

Sponsorship Development & Revenue Generation

Partner with the Senior Project Manager Experiences and Executive Director to maximize sponsorship revenue and strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop annual sponsorship strategy for non-Christkindlmarket sponsorships
• Create sponsorship packages and partnership opportunities
• Prospect and secure new sponsors
• Maintain and grow sponsor relationships
• Support sponsor renewals and long-term agreements
• Collaborate with the event team on sponsor activation and fulfillment
• Track sponsorship performance and revenue goals
• Identify new revenue opportunities across programs and initiatives

Business Services & Market Entry Support

Lead development and delivery of GACC Colorado's business services.

Responsibilities include:

• Support German companies entering the Colorado market in collaboration with GACC Midwest and member businesses
• Facilitate introductions and referrals
• Coordinate business matchmaking opportunities
• Support trade delegations and business missions in collaboration with GACC Midwest
• Identify new service offerings and revenue opportunities
• Collaborate with the broader GACC and AHK network

Ecosystem Development & Strategic Partnerships

Strengthen GACC Colorado's role as the leading German-American business ecosystem in Colorado.

Responsibilities include:

• Build relationships with economic development organizations
• Develop strategic partnerships with business and community organizations
• Engage with government agencies and public-sector stakeholders
• Support ecosystem-building initiatives and programs
• Represent GACC Colorado at community and business events
• Identify collaboration opportunities that increase organizational impact
• Serve as a connector between members, partners, colleagues, and other stakeholders

Membership & Community Engagement

Support the organization's long-term growth objectives through relationship building and community engagement.

Responsibilities include:

• Visit member companies
• Serve as an ambassador for GACC Colorado
• Represent members' interests to the GACC Colorado to support member-centric and mission driven programming
• Develop relationships with business leaders and stakeholders
• Drive membership recruitment and retention initiatives
• Participate in networking events and community activities
• Identify opportunities to increase member engagement
• Support community-building initiatives throughout Colorado
• Propose annual participation & engagement strategy to maximize impact
• Lead the Membership & Business Development Committee

Organizational Support & Team Collaboration

As part of a small and entrepreneurial organization, all team members are expected to contribute beyond their primary area of responsibility and actively support major organizational initiatives, events, and cross-functional priorities.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, International Business, Communications, or related field
• Minimum 5–7 years of business development, sales, account management, membership, sponsorship, or partnership experience
• Ability to travel frequently to visit members and attend events
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strategic relationships
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Proven ability to achieve growth objectives
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Preferred

• Experience within a chamber of commerce, association, nonprofit, or membership organization
• Sponsorship sales experience
• International business experience
• German language skills
• Experience working with economic development organizations
• Familiarity with CRM systems and relationship management tools

Key Competencies

• Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Business Development
• Relationship Building
• Commercial Awareness
• Strategic Thinking
• Communication
• Networking
• Customer Service Excellence
• Collaboration
• Accountability

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications

Benefits Include:

• Hybrid work environment
• Health stipend
• Safe Harbor 401(k)
• Phone stipend
• Work-from-home flexibility
• 9 Federal Holidays + 3 Floating Holidays
• 15 Days PTO
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Unlimited Sick Leave

Why Join GACC Colorado?

This role offers the opportunity to play a central role in shaping the future of Colorado's German-American business ecosystem. The Director of Commercial & Ecosystem Development will directly influence membership growth, sponsorship development, strategic partnerships, and business services while helping expand the impact of one of Colorado's leading international business organizations.