Component Relations Specialist

Membership in the American Dental Association operates on a tripartite level – dentists are members of the American Dental Association, their state dental association and their local dental society, or component. In Wisconsin, the WDA works with 24 components throughout the state to support and serve local dentists. The component relations specialist manages the WDA’s relationships with these local dental societies, assisting them with member communications, event planning, officer development and other initiatives. The specialist also collaborates with the WDA’s state membership team on projects and activities that support the WDA’s overall membership development plan.

Primary duties and responsibilities include the following:

Provide staff support to local dental societies

• Serve as staff liaison between WDA, local dental societies and regional trustees
• Support local dental society officers in effectively running business matters, including coordinating with WDA legal team to maintain accurate bylaws, corporate and tax status
• Assist local dental society officers in planning and promoting meetings and activities
• Coordinate production of meeting programs, handouts, invitations and other materials
• Issue continuing education certificates for program attendees as requested
• Facilitate quarterly component officer conference calls and annual breakfast meeting
• Maintain database of information, speakers and other resources to help local dental societies plan activities
• Maintain member lists, calendar of events and other content on WDA’s website for local dental societies
• Assist with new component officer onboarding
• Prepare and maintain operations manual and other resources for local component leaders
• Research/identify components struggling with member retention and other issues; assist in growing member engagement as needed

Build and sustain an active and effective network of WDA local dental societies

• Develop and create budgets for annual local society development plan
• Review and monitor membership demographics to recommend structures and boundaries for local societies to maximize member value
• Maintain communications with local dental society officers to determine members’ local needs and interests
• Advise and disseminate information on best practice methods and procedures for local dental societies
• Coordinate events involving multiple local dental societies as needed
• Identify active members to serve on committees and in leadership positions
• Work with WDA communications team to promote local dental society activities and topics

Schedule and coordinate meetings between WDA leadership and local dental societies (i.e. President’s visits)

• Prepare meeting materials, invitations, pre-visit surveys, dental society research and follow-up messages
• Help WDA president prepare for local meetings and conversations
• Attend president’s visits on occasion

Support WDA member services and recruitment/retention efforts

• Support new member onboarding process in concert with membership team
• Collect dues rate information from components for annual billing/renewal campaign
• Coordinate grassroots membership renewal activities with component leaders
• Assist with in-state member transfers between components

Miscellaneous

• Participate in WDA Membership Development Committee meetings as appropriate
• Keep abreast of ADA developments and component trends in other states through ADA and ASCE (Association of Component Society Executives of the American Dental Association) communications and meetings
• Perform other assignments as assigned

• Advanced general business knowledge, consistent with completion of a bachelor’s degree in a general business or communications curriculum
• At least two years of relevant professional experience
• Solid written and verbal communication skills
• Strong commitment to exceptional member service and stewardship
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
• Knowledge and experience in meeting and special event planning Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Experience with supporting technologies such as but not limited to MailChimp, Survey Monkey and Salesforce preferred but not required
• Ability to think creatively and strategically 
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a dynamic team
• Ability to present a polished, professional image while working with diverse groups

Competitive compensation; insurance benefits including health, life, and short-and long-term disability; dental coverage; 401(k) plan with generous annual employer contribution; flex plan for employees to pay for insurance and dependent care on a pre-tax basis. Additional benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick time; free covered parking; a range of professional development opportunities; an encouraging and collaborative team environment; and more.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with Friday afternoons off during summer months).

The Wisconsin Dental Association is an equal opportunity employer.