The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a highly respected non-governmental, non-profit organization from the United States. We are the leading green building council worldwide. We are active in a number of different areas, but are best known for our work in the development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, which is currently used in over 114 countries worldwide. The USGBC is a mission drive organization comprised of over 16,000 corporate members worldwide. We are looking to provide on-the-ground support to our existing community in China, through the recruitment of a full-time China Representative.
This person will be an individual with strong international personal and communication skills, who will serve as the primary point of contact for existing members of our community in China, provide customer service and information to the public, support Head Office in finding vendors / partners and implement the China work plan. They will also be responsible for promoting our products and services in China through the provision of information, collecting market data and supporting communications around our activities.
This role is intended to serve as the primary on-the-ground link between our organization and our key stakeholders (multi-national and domestic corporations, as well as professionals in the building sector) in China. The individual chosen is expected to be able to take direction and work with little supervision, while also being part of a virtual team.
This position will be stationed in Shanghai, China. As the USGBC does not have plans to establish a formal office in China at this time, the successful candidate will be legally hired through a 3rd party service company in China. They will report directly to our organization and their work, professional development, performance reviews and salary will all be at the discretion of the USGBC. The targeted start date for this position is February/March, 2012.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE
- Provide general customer service support to our existing community and the public in China
- Coordinate successful resolution of technical issues, supported by our technical experts
- Be responsible for member relations in China, including visiting member companies regularly, gathering feedback from building professionals, organizing meetings for senior staff when they visit China and enabling joint cooperative activities between members, building professionals and our organization
- Support Head Office in finding and qualifying vendors / partners
- Collect member, building professionals and public feedback on our building tools, education and other relevant topics and provide regular reports, recommended actions and next steps
- Conduct member and customer surveys, as well as basic market research.
- Maintain working relationships with Chinese government and / or industry groups and take direction from Head Office as to when to expand and grow relationships.
- Support Head Office in potential formal establishment of an office in China / expansion of services to rest of Asia
- Provide information and coordination related to our organizations’ products and services.
- Support implementation of China media and communications plan in China
- Understand international vision, take direction from Head Office and implement China plan.
- Other duties as assigned
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Initial 1-2 week training at US Head Office.
- Domestic travel within China approx. 1-2 times / quarter for 2-3 days each time.
- Infrequent international travel as required.
EDUCATION & TRAINING REQUIREMENTS/PREFERENCES
- University degree in business, real estate, sustainable design and construction, building science, and / or other green building related field (Degree from leading Chinese university preferred.)
- LEED AP or LEED Green Associate accreditation (or achieve LEED Green Associate certification at candidate expense prior to extension of job offer).
EXPERIENCE REQUIRMENTS
- Minimum 5 years work experience in mainland China
- Minimum 3 years experience working with multi-national organizations
- Must have customer service experience. Hotline, call center, industry trade organization or hospitality-related customer service experience preferred.
- Preferably have experience working with US and Non-US multinational companies in a membership organization
- Preferably have office administration experience
- Preferably have marketing and communications experience
- Preferably have sales / business development experience and a developed network of local relationships to the table
OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be fluent in idiomatic Mandarin with strong public speaking and Chinese writing skills
- Must be fully fluent in English reading, writing and spoken
- Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to handle tough situations and make concessions or stand firm on decisions as necessary.
- Must demonstrate common sense, creativity, strategic thinking and flexibility in dealing with a variety of situations
- Must be able to work independently with little supervision, as well as be part of a virtual team
- Must be willing to engage in continuing professional development in the green building industry
- Must be willing to stay with the organization for at least 2 years.
- Must not have any side businesses or take on other work while working for the USGBC.
- Preferably have lived, worked or studied in the United States or abroad
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