TITLE: Business & Operations Manager for Karen MacNeil

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Business & Operations Manager is the right hand person to our Chief Executive, Karen MacNeil. You will be responsible for managing the business and the operations of a leading wine communications company, reporting directly and working closely with Karen MacNeil and a small team.

ABOUT KAREN MACNEIL & COMPANY LLC

Karen MacNeil & Company LLC (“KM&Co”) is one of the nation’s leading wine consulting and communications firms. Karen is one of the foremost wine experts in the United States and is the author of the bestselling book "The Wine Bible." The company creates and produces wine events, educational seminars, and wine communications products and services. It is active in wine journalism, corporate wine events, research, consulting, and social media.

OVERVIEW

The Business & Operations Manager is the engine driving the effectiveness and efficiency of KM&Co. We have a very fast-paced office. The ideal candidate will be smart, quick, a polished communicator, attentive to detail, superbly organized, efficient, and technically savvy. We are looking for a person who is a self-starter and who knows how to “take the next step” to initiate success. Intermediate wine knowledge is a must.

RESPONSIBILITIES

“Right hand” to Karen MacNeil running business and operations. Initiating and managing KM&Co. ventures and products.

Events and Seminars—develop and assist with marketing efforts to identify potentials leads, gather pertinent information, create quotes and pricing proposals, generate event agreements, organize wine events and seminars, including venue management, wine procurement, and event collateral including occasional Power Points. Leads and events tracking and reporting. Often attend and assist at large corporate events and seminars.

Projects and Clients—coordinate and track many concurrent projects and clients. Maintain thorough records and files, both paper and electronic.

WineSpeed—be responsible for management of Karen’s weekly wine newsletter, WineSpeed. Create some content, format and send Mailchimp each week to subscribers. Monitor subscriber requests. Communicate with wine suppliers to inform them of placement in the newsletter. Outreach to possible events for listing in the newsletter as an Exceptional Event.

Wine Samples—lead quarterly wine sample requests, outreach to importers, distributors, and producers. Track requests and maintain wine inventory. Schedule and participate in our weekly office tastings.

Media and Communications—assist with video projects and general graphic needs. Record professional videos using lighting, microphone, and camera equipment. Use of green screen and teleprompter on occasion. Post-production editing—overlays, titles, color, music, sound, etc.

Social Media—manage several Social channels. Work with Karen to create content and schedule posts. Monito messages, collaborations, tags, and comments.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

A qualified candidate will have these skills, knowledge, and experience:

Essential:

• A highly efficient and organized approach to work

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and team

• Intermediate wine knowledge

• Ability to work independently and flexibly, and problem-solve quickly

• Ability to handle multiple projects, changing priorities and workloads with ambition and enthusiasm

• Ability to translate business requirements to technical requirements

• Troubleshoot business and technology-related issues and develop potential solution(s)

• Intermediate proficiency in videography and photography (lighting, sound, recording, and editing)

• Basic understanding of running a multi-room office (phone, network, computers, etc.)

• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of social media applications and web content publishing

• Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree. Preferably in business, information systems, event management, or communications

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word

• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and PowerPoint

• A “do what it takes” attitude

Pluses:

• Project management experience

• Reporting and analytics experience

• Experience developing business opportunities

• Experience with online commerce and payment processors

• WSET III or CMS2

OUR WORK PLACE

We have a very attractive suite of offices in the heart of St. Helena;. The noise level is low. The environment is private and quiet. Our space is conducive to working and appealing to visitors.

Physical demands: We’re in the wine world! One must be able to comfortably and securely lift and carry a case of wine (approximately 35 lbs.).

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation: The compensation is competitive.

Benefits: After initial three-month period, paid holidays, and vacation. Medical benefits.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter and resume to karen@karenmacneil.com

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