Find & Apply For Communications / Public Relations Manager Jobs in Cortland, New York

Director of Member Engagement — Part-Time Position Summary The Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking an outgoing, relationship-focused professional to serve as our Director of Member Engagement. This part-time position will be a highly visible representative of the Chamber, spending significant time in the community building relationships with our members, prospective members, sponsors and community partners. With approximately 550 member businesses and organizations, the Chamber's strength comes from the relationships we build and the value we provide to our members. The Director of Member Engagement will help ensure that our members know the Chamber, understand the resources available to them, feel connected to our organization and to one another, and recognize the value of their membership. This is not primarily a desk position. We are looking for someone who enjoys getting out into the community, visiting businesses, meeting people, listening to their needs and finding ways the Chamber can help. Primary Responsibilities Member Engagement & Retention Regularly visit Chamber members throughout Cortland County and the surrounding area. Develop strong relationships with business owners, managers and other member representatives. Learn about members' businesses, successes, challenges and needs. Connect members with Chamber resources, programs and other businesses when appropriate. Follow up with new members to help them become engaged with the Chamber. Reach out to members who may be less engaged and identify ways to increase the value of their membership. Assist with membership retention and renewal efforts. Membership Development Identify and develop relationships with prospective Chamber members. Communicate the benefits and value of Chamber membership. Follow up on membership leads and referrals. Assist with onboarding new members and introducing them to Chamber programs and opportunities. Look for opportunities to grow Chamber membership throughout the business community. Sponsorship & Business Relationships Help maintain relationships with Chamber sponsors and major supporters. Meet with sponsors to understand their goals and help ensure they receive value from their Chamber investment. Assist with identifying and developing new sponsorship opportunities. Maintain regular communication and follow-up with sponsors throughout the year. Programs, Events & Community Presence Assist with Chamber programs and events, including Business After Hours, ribbon cuttings, networking programs and other Chamber activities. Represent the Chamber at business and community events. Help identify programming opportunities based on what we hear from our members. Work collaboratively with the Chamber team to plan and successfully deliver Chamber programs. Assist the President/CEO and Chamber staff with other projects and initiatives as needed. What We're Looking For The successful candidate will be someone who: Genuinely enjoys meeting and talking with people. Is comfortable walking into a business and starting a conversation. Is a good listener and naturally looks for ways to help people and make connections. Builds trust and maintains relationships. Is comfortable representing the Chamber in both one-on-one meetings and group settings. Is organized and follows through on commitments. Can work independently while also being part of a small, collaborative team. Understands the importance of confidentiality and professionalism. Has strong verbal and written communication skills. Is familiar with Cortland County and its business community, or is enthusiastic about becoming deeply involved in the community. Experience in business, sales, membership organizations, nonprofit organizations, community relations, customer relations or a similar field would be beneficial. The ability to build relationships and connect with people will be more important to us than a particular degree or career path. Position Structure This is a part-time professional position, averaging approximately 21 hours per week. The position is designed around the impact and results of the work rather than a traditional daily schedule. The position is a 12 month position. The Director of Member Engagement will have considerable flexibility in determining their schedule and will not be expected to work for the Chamber every day. Some weeks may include member visits, sponsor meetings, Chamber programs, networking events and time in the Chamber office. Occasional early morning and evening commitments will be required. We expect the successful candidate to spend a significant portion of their Chamber time out in the community, meeting with members, prospective members, sponsors and community organizations. This structure is intentionally designed to allow the successful candidate to combine this position with other professional or meaningful work outside the Chamber. The position reports to the President/CEO and works collaboratively with the entire Chamber team. Please provide a resume and cover letter to bob@cortlandareachamber.com. Applicant review to begin 9/24/26 with interviews scheduled soon after. Position remains open until filled.

Pay:

$35.00 - $37.00 per hour Expected hours: 18.0 - 24.0 per week

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Paid time off Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person