Group Meeting Facilitator

Job Description

Group dynamics can be difficult at best when critical decisions need to be made.  A Group Meeting Facilitator interacts with groups that need coaching to work productively as a team to reach a common goal.  The group meeting facilitator guides discussions of the topics laid out in group meetings and project/taskforce initiatives agenda, with the purpose of moving the team towards a common goal.

A skilled Group Meeting Facilitator fosters collaboration and teamwork and manages conflict among team members.  The ProSidian Consultant | Group Meeting Facilitator will coordinate, lead, and support all phases of team meetings to ensure progression and completion of work as well as supports the Global Project Lead (GPL) And Project Team, and is accountable for the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of group meetings and/or project/taskforce initiatives and ends with delivery of the final outputs that achieve stated mission objectives.

The job of a “Group Meeting Facilitator” is more of the "conductor" than a participant throughout the Program Period.  The ProSidian Group Meeting Facilitator shall serve as a consultant to clients across private companies, fortune 1,000 enterprises, and government agencies of all sizes.  You direct the flow and energy throughout the program period.  You observe participants' body language, listening carefully to what they say, drawing out those members who are not speaking, and gently moving group meetings and project/taskforce initiatives along when a member monopolizes a conversation.

The ProSidian Group Meeting Facilitator shall work with and help groups, such as business teams, advisory boards, emergency action task forces, working groups, strategy planning teams, and community organizations with representatives who may have differences in perspectives, cultures, backgrounds, and shaped viewpoints to solve problems and improve operations through a structured approach to strategic solutions.  The group meeting facilitator serves as the process manager for getting past obstacles so that the group can communicate effectively.  Running a successful meeting will help clients and stakeholders operate efficiently, provide experience for all members, and drive towards successful outcomes from group meetings and project/task force initiatives.

Facilitate interaction among multi-party entities and representative bodies consisting of a balanced mix of diverse local and regional interests affected by and convened to contribute to varying project/task force initiatives.  Enable participative discussions and learning among group members, allowing them to express and present different opinions while maintaining a respectful environment.  ProSidian’s consultative meeting facilitation service blends that depth of understanding with our unique expertise. Our proven, seven-step process introduces ways to link your vision, goals, and initiatives to your meeting agenda and helps you achieve your desired outcome.

The ProSidian difference: local to global | extensively researched practice | deep content and process expertise | comprehensive engagement - scope and configuration management, Pre-planning, in-meeting facilitation, and post-meeting follow-up

• Coordination/Logistics Processes – support creation and revision of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) and manage/support all aspects of meeting scheduling (location, venue, and time) in accordance with established guidelines, standards, and principles. Develop and support the approval of individualized Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&M) incorporating requirements of program leadership, sub-group chairs, and meeting attendees.  The plan shall be designed to capitalize on the strengths while ensuring coordination of both professionally based principles and support tools, technology, and processes.
• Topic/Agenda Acceptance – work with groups to clarify meeting content, objectives and to establish ground rules that govern behavior. Review information from previous meetings and develop agenda/desired outcomes.  Follow up on action items.  Introduce a variety of strategies to keep the process structured without interfering with group productivity.  Following acceptance, pre-work is done includes interviewing program leadership, sub-group chairs, and meeting attendees to gain consensus on the topic/agenda for each program session
• Group Meeting Agendas – work with clients, meeting participants, and stakeholders to develop agendas (adequately estimated for time frames) that will achieve stated goals and objectives. When desired, and as needed, introduce dialog, decision-making, and other communication models and tools as part of the agenda or as just-in-time training to enhance the process and achieve desired results.
• Client Conference/Program Participation – select appropriate methods and tools that will enable participants to achieve results. Listen and proactively respond to client and stakeholder intentions and desires to enhance the process and achieve desired results.  Help clearly define stated goals and objectives for success, both in group meetings and/or project/taskforce initiatives and beyond.
• Ongoing Course Adjustments – consultative facilitation while working in close partnership with clients, meeting participants, and stakeholders throughout the program period; making the best possible use time and resources; correctly observing interests and developments, and working to enhance the process and achieve desired results. When problems or issues come up, work to resolve conflict and return to goals.
• Dynamic Process Interactions – create environments that allow civil dialogue and input from all participants and above all -- remaining neutral throughout the process.  Recognize that group meetings and project/taskforce initiatives are dynamic processes and that new insights and ideas can emerge that could significantly shift original intentions.  Work to respond to those emerging trends, needs, and themes while keeping everyone focused on the clearly defined meeting objectives while achieving desired results.
• Leadership Coaching/Support Initiatives – work to ensure successful implementation of primary objectives through the facilitation of cross-functional meetings and internal department-level meetings.  Provide real-time coaching to clients, program leadership, sub-group chairs, meeting participants, and other stakeholders on ways to enhance group meetings and project/taskforce initiatives focused on the clearly defined meeting objectives that achieve desired results.
• Follow-Up Deliverables – work to improve the contributions from meeting participants; coordinate meeting schedules; provide assistance with creation of agendas; facilitate meetings; distribute meeting minutes, and maintain task and issues logs.
• Post-Event Hot Wash / After-Action Analysis / After Action Reports – after the session is over, a complete report describing everything that went on in group meetings and/or project/taskforce initiatives shall be prepared.  An organized debrief post-meeting and provide post-meeting feedback session held to provide suggestions and improvements for future meetings.  All action items agreed to by the participants are documented as part of this report.
• Public Involvement And Communications – foster collaboration and communication through open, ongoing and effective maintenance of knowledge repositories to include correspondence, presentations, meeting summaries, work products, and responses to information requests by ensuring distribution of requested information. 
• Document Retention And Knowledge Repositories – live capture of meeting discussion/decisions in Microsoft word or excel is also expected.  Maintain a library per established guidelines as a repository of related information co-located with the clients, program leadership, sub-group chairs, meeting participants, and other stakeholders as the official record required (i.e. Per Federal Advisory Committee Act - FACA) for an information repository.
• Program/Recommendations Implementation – help participants reach decisions and accomplish goals. Help facilitate group meetings and/or project/taskforce initiatives, gain consensus, and manage the execution of action items, recommendations, and resolutions through counsel and support to clients, program leadership, sub-group chairs, meeting participants, and other stakeholders.
• Group Meeting Logistics – Lead and support the development of group and committee meeting agendas; Lead and support the develop of group and committee meeting minutes and interim stage summaries; Coordinate and manage meeting logistics including venue, audiovisual, meeting attendance, and technology-related requirements; Manage functional and technical requirements for successful management of committee, group, and full board meetings, conference calls, agenda development, and other logistics concerns. 
• Quality Control/Quality Assurance – Effectively facilitate/manage meetings towards achieving desired outcomes, maintain order and keep meeting running on time; Deliverables are provided timely at each phase; Required documents are delivered with 3 errors or less and extensive revisions are not required.

Qualifications

• A Bachelors’ or Masters’ Degree from an accredited school (Preferable) and/or a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar position
• Minimum of eight years’ experience working with senior management.  
• Experience supersedes/complements academic achievement with satisfactory, post-graduate experience that includes substantial experience in one or more of the following modalities of practice: facilitation of Strategic Planning Facilitation, Board Retreat Facilitation, Advisory Boards and Conferences or group decision-making meetings utilizing a Strategic Planning Facilitation, Board Retreat Facilitation, Advisory Board and Conference model which emphasizes team/group engagement and consensus-based decision-making or the conduct of professional training on topics related to Energy, Manufacturing, Chemical, Retail, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Hospitality, Pharmaceuticals, Banking & Financial Services, Transportation, Federal and State Government Agencies
• Project management experience is required, including developing and managing scopes of work and budgets
• Ability to foster collaboration and communication, leads the coordination of meeting schedules, assist with the creation of agendas, facilitate group meetings and project/taskforce initiatives and distribute meeting minutes are expected
• Ability to live capture of meeting discussion/decisions in Microsoft word or excel and able to summarize chunks of information for clarity and understanding
• Combination of education and experience that provided the individual with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities minimum of three (3) years industry experience, with a thorough knowledge of the project management discipline and demonstrated ability to apply within a complex organization
• Comfortable working with group dynamics while managing group meetings and project/taskforce initiatives or activity process
• Competent at making observations and recognizing when interactions, situations, or group dynamics change. And if there are disruptive behaviors, promptly intervene to disperse or extinguish them
• Demonstrated ability in instruction and staff development, inclusive of a) development of group meetings, training, and project/taskforce initiative materials, b) coaching and mentoring of peers, leadership, and staff.
• Effective meeting leadership (in person and remotely) with a variety of Internal and Customer SME’s
• Exceptional customer service skills, over the phone and in person, with our client and internal committees
• Experience and confidence in working closely with clients, program leadership, sub-group chairs, meeting participants, and other stakeholders, primarily through the facilitation of cross-functional meetings and internal department-level meetings
• Experience directly related to quality assurance or quality control responsibilities
• Familiarity with core Microsoft office tools and processes, especially: excel, outlook, word, and PowerPoint
• Highly organized, independently motivated leader with proven ability to multi-task
• PMP certification a plus +
• Skills in group learning techniques, as well as skills in problem-solving, conflict resolution, team building, planning, and organizing
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build enthusiasm, urgency, and influence without direct authority
• Strong sense of urgency, problem-solving skills, and assertive enough to get things on track with appropriate suggestions or to redirect group efforts
• Strong written and oral communication and developed cross-functional teamwork and collaboration skills
• Valid passport required, and ability to travel as required

Additional Information

CORE COMPETENCIES

* Teamwork – ability to foster teamwork collaboratively as a participant, and effectively as a team leader
* Leadership – ability to guide and lead colleagues on projects and initiatives
* Business Acumen – understanding and insight into how organizations perform, including business processes, data, systems, and people
* Communication – ability to effectively communicate to stakeholders of all levels orally and in writing
* Motivation – persistent in pursuit of quality and optimal client and company solutions
* Agility – ability to quickly understand and transition between different projects, concepts, initiatives, or work streams
* Judgment – exercises prudence and insight in decision-making process while mindful of other stakeholders and long-term ramifications
* Organization – ability to manage projects and activity, and prioritize tasks

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OTHER REQUIREMENTS

* Business Tools – understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology, including Microsoft Office.  The ideal candidate is advanced with Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and proficient with Adobe Acrobat, data analytic tools, and Visio with the ability to quickly learn other tools as necessary.

* Business Tools – understanding and proficiency with business tools and technology, including Microsoft Office.  The ideal candidate is advanced with Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word, and proficient with Adobe Acrobat, data analytic tools, and Visio with the ability to quickly learn other tools as necessary.

* Commitment - to work with smart, interesting people with diverse backgrounds to solve the biggest challenges across private, public and social sectors

* Curiosity – the ideal candidate exhibits an inquisitive nature and the ability to question the status quo among a community of people they enjoy and teams that work well together

* Humility – exhibits grace in success and failure while doing meaningful work where skills have impact and make a difference

* Willingness - to constantly learn, share, and grow and to view the world as their classroom

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BENEFITS AND HIGHLIGHTS

At ProSidian, we invest in our employees to help them stay healthy and achieve work-life balance. Our team members receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes Competitive Compensation, Group Health Insurance Health Benefits, 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan Contributions, Vacation and Paid Time off (PTO) Benefits, Pre-Tax Payment Programs, Purchasing Discounts & Savings Plans, a ProSidian Employee & Contractor Referral Bonus Program, Performance Incentives, etc.  Our comprehensive benefits package includes a medical, dental and vision plan.  Our growing list of benefits currently include the following:

* Competitive Compensation:  Pay range begins in the competitive ranges with full Gold Level (Tier 1) Group Medical Benefits, Pretax Employee Benefit Plan, plus performance incentives

* Group Health Insurance Health Benefits:  Group Health Insurance Including Medical, Dental And Vision Insurance: Contributions are deducted from pay on a Pretax basis - Employee and family coverage is available with employer contribution to Employee (only) premiums under the Health Plan.

* 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plans help you save for your retirement.  Eligible employees can make before-tax contributions to the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to help you save for retirement.  Contributions are deducted from pay on a pretax basis - wide range of investment options available with personal financial planner available to assist you. The Plan is a Safe Harbor 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.

* Vacation And Paid Time Off (PTO) Benefits:  The flexibility of Paid Time Off (PTO) lets you set your own priorities. Eligible employees use PTO for vacation, a parent-teacher conference, a doctor’s appointment, or any number of events in your life.  Currently these benefits include Vacation/Sick days – 2 weeks | Holidays - 10 Federal Government.

* Pre-Tax Payment Programs:  Pre-Tax Payment Programs currently exist in the form of a Premium Only Plan (POP).  These Plans offer a full Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan and a tax benefit for eligible employees.

* Purchasing Discounts & Savings Plans:  We want you to achieve financial success. We offer a Purchasing Discounts & Savings Plan through The ProSidian Corporate Perks Benefit Program - Helping You Do More With Less:  https://ProSidian.CorporatePerks.com.  This provides special discounts for eligible employees on products and services you buy on a daily basis.

* Security Clearance: Due to the nature of our management and operations consulting engagements for Private Companies, Fortune 1,000 Enterprises, and Government Agencies of all sizes; oftentimes there are Security Clearance requirements for Engagement Teams handling sensitive Engagements in the Federal Marketplace.  A Security Clearance is a valued asset in your professional portfolio and adds to your credentials based on past, present, and future work.

* Leverageable Experience and Thought Leadership:  By collaborating with firm leadership, other members of the team, as well as Fellows and collaborating partners in what is a flat organization, you'll make valuable professional connections, interact with clients daily, gain leverageable Experience, and contribute to Thought Leadership while you build a basket of marketable experiences.

* ProSidian Employee & Contractor Referral Bonus Program:  ProSidian Consulting will pay up to $5k for all referrals (payments made after new hire has been employed for 90 days) for candidates submitted through our Employee Referral Program.

* Performance Incentives:  Due to the nature of our management and operations consulting engagements for Private Companies, Fortune 1,000 Enterprises, and Government Agencies of all sizes there are performance incentives associated with each new client that each employee works to pursue and support.

* Flexible Spending Account:  A special account you put money into that you use to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs.  You don't pay taxes on this money.  A flexible spending account, also known as a flexible spending arrangement, is one of a number of tax-advantaged financial accounts, resulting in payroll tax savings.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - See Below Instructions On The Best Way To Apply

ProSidian Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or Vietnam era, or other eligible veteran status, or any other protected factor. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ProSidian Consulting has made a pledge to the Hiring Our Heroes Program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the “I Hire Military” Initiative of The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) for the State of North Carolina.  All applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of Veteran Status.

Furthermore, we believe in "HONOR ABOVE ALL" - be successful while doing things with the right way.  The pride comes out of the challenge; the reward is excellence in the work.  FOR EASY APPLICATION USE OUR CAREER SITE LOCATED ON http://www.ProSidian.com/ OR SEND YOUR RESUME’S, BIOS, AND SALARY EXPECTATION / RATES TO CAREERS @ PROSIDIAN.COM.  ONLY CANDIDATES WITH REQUIRED CRITERIA ARE CONSIDERED. Be sure to place the job reference code in the subject line of your email.  Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, total compensation package, employment history, and educational credentials.