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Employment Opportunities

Each of us has a sense of untapped potential, skills and capabilities not yet developed, personal goals not yet accomplished... or perhaps never attempted. At The Option Institute we offer you a work experience where we help you scale the heights of your personal professional summit.

WHO WE ARE

We are an organization that breaks the mold, dares to do what others hesitate doing and, as a result, help people deal with life's challenges in powerful and loving ways. Join a group of dedicated, passionately-involved and caring people who want to give all they've got... and want to maximize their current skills, expand their capabilities and contribute big time through their work.

Our pastoral 100-acre campus provides a perfect setting for not only our students who come to the Institute from over 78 countries but also for the staff. The site provides an exceptional oasis for working, living and learning. Come live and work in SW Massachusetts. – (2 1/2 hrs from NYC, 3 Hrs. from Boston.) Leave the hustle/bustle -- and live your life in heaven -- cosmopolitan (great sushi, great lattes) yet rural (beautiful country roads and quaint story book towns.) We have been serving the world on our Sheffield, Massachusetts campus for over 25 years.

I quit my job in 2008 after coming to the realization that my employer wanted me to be somebody other than myself and my body was also physically telling me that it was not the right fit for me. I had no other planned employment so I took a leap into the unknown and made my choice to leave. Four months later I was still unemployed.

Then I came to work at The Option Institute and here I am 1 year later. This place, the people and what we do in the world is truly inspiring. I always knew I wanted to help others and I have now found a job where I can help others, use my skill set and be part of a work environment where we all truly care for one another.

So thank you (and Samahria) for creating this place and giving me the gift of a lifetime. Instead of saying I found a job, I have found a home.

~ Jessica Kopecky, Human Resources Manager/Executive Assistant

Current Openings

Please send resume to HR@option.org.

MARKETING DIRECTOR

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time, Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Marketing Director will lead our energetic and enthusiastic marketing team and will oversee the execution of all marketing activities and will be responsible for the strategic planning and day-to-day function of marketing programs. The Marketing Director will work closely with The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America management and our sales team to define The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America's objectives.

The Marketing Director will be responsible for maintaining an excellent work environment for our marketing team and will develop and facilitate marketing communication plans, determine whether marketing objectives are being met, conduct consumer research, and plan advertising and promotional activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES - the key responsibilities for this position include:

Conceive, launch, and manage a comprehensive Marketing Plan for the full range of The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America services and programs
Directs marketing organizational strategies by contributing information, analysis, and recommendations to functional strategic thinking and direction.
Achieves marketing operational objectives by contributing marketing and sales information and recommendations to strategic plans and reviews; preparing and completing action plans; implementing production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards; resolving problems; completing audits; identifying trends; determining system improvements; implementing change.
Meets marketing financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing annual budgets; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
Accomplishes marketing objectives by planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating advertising, merchandising, and trade promotion programs
Identifies marketing opportunities by identifying consumer requirements; defining market, competitor's share, and competitor's strengths and weaknesses; forecasting projected business; establishing targeted market share.
Improves product marketability and profitability by researching, identifying, and capitalizing on market opportunities; improving product packaging; coordinating new product development.
Provides information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data and trends.
Protects The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America's value by keeping information confidential.
Supervises a diverse marketing staff and external contractors
Works directly with the senior staff
Creates economic and forceful marketing programs and promotions
Oversees the The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America's:

Web site
Public relations efforts
Publications (and product development as requested)
Advertising – all media
Web-based marketing
Conferences

ATTRIBUTES - the key attributes for this position include:

Creativity
Willingness to experiment
Ability to deal with uncertainty
Ability to contribute individually and participate in cross-functional teams
Persistence
Ability to synthesize large amounts of data into actionable information
Excellent writing skills and a willingness to use them
Excellent verbal communication skills
Persuasiveness
Ability to create great working relationships with all levels within The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America and across multiple disciplines
Sense of humor

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of 10-15 years of relevant marketing experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing required, Masters degree preferred
Commitment to on-going education and new marketing trends and technology
A proven ability to manage a diverse team
Presentation and analytical skills
Ability to work in an energetic, high energy complex environment
Possess excellent negotiation and communication skills.
Broad experience in the management and use of publications, public relations, advertising, and web-based marketing initiatives including social networking and blogging
Proven skills in generating measurable outcomes
Broad proven experience in consumer marketing
Previous experience in a management/supervisory role
Desire to passionately learn how the Institute supports individuals and families
Senior management and/or not-for-profit experience is preferred

SOCIAL NETWORKING SPECIALIST

REPORTS TO: Marketing Manager

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time, Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW:
We are looking for a creative, motivated and energetic individual who has demonstrated strong writing abilities and excellent social networking skills to fulfill this role. Candidate must demonstrate extensive social media experience. Candidate should be actively participating in a wide variety of social media activities including but not limited to; blogging, community development and management, social bookmarking, and commenting. Candidate should be experienced in all social networking platforms including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, and blogs.

RESPONSIBILITIES - the key responsibilities for this position include:

Create a comprehensive social media strategy to increase visibility, membership and traffic across all The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America's brands and coordinate, implement and manage all social media marketing communication projects.
Experiment with new and alternative ways to leverage social media activities (“marketing R&D”)
Monitor trends in social media tools, trends and applications and appropriately apply that knowledge to increasing the use of social media at The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America.
Daily Monitoring, posting and content development across all The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America social media platforms.
Strategize with and educate the management team and others across the Institute on incorporating relevant social media techniques into The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America culture and all products and services.
Measure the impact of social media on the overall marketing efforts.
Prepare status reports on social media efforts and success rates.
Create a private Content Calendar, providing material to talk about based on The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America announcement schedules.
Work with various levels of The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America staff to complete blog responses and/or to conduct written or video interview.
Focused on content creation. Will also work with the marketing team to develop overall communications strategies and rapid response plans.

ATTRIBUTES - the key attributes for this position include:

Creativity
Willingness to experiment
Ability to deal with uncertainty
Ability to contribute individually and participate in cross-functional teams
Persistence
Ability to synthesize large amounts of data into actionable information
Excellent writing skills and a willingness to use them
Excellent verbal communication skills
Persuasiveness
Ability to create great working relationships with all levels within The Option Institute and Autism Treatment Center of America and across multiple disciplines
Sense of humor

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum 1-3 years of relevant social networking and/or marketing experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or other relevant discipline.
Knowledgeable and experienced in blogging.
Experience in participating in social networks and online communities. Understanding of web TV, podcasting, wikis and social bookmarking sites.
Capable of providing the Institute with recommendations regarding social networking and blogging. Understand the importance of ongoing monitoring and response speed in social networks.
Comfortable teaching social media to others.
Demonstrated excellent writer.
Independent thinker and task master.
Demonstrate honesty, transparency and integrity.
Quick thinker and witty conversationalist/writer.
Should have a LinkedIn profile, a Twitter account, a Facebook page, and should have a current personal blog.

Appointment Setter/ Customer Service Representative

JOB DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY:
The Option Institute is currently seeking an energetic and enthusiastic individual for our Participant Support Associate position. Candidate will be responsible for outbound domestic and international calls to schedule clients for initial phone sessions with our Family Counselors. Candidate will also be responsible for administrative tasks including managing email accounts and providing administrative support to our Program Enrollment Team. Candidate should possess excellent phone skills and strong customer service skills. Previous experience in phone scheduling and/or customer service is preferred.

REQUIREMENTS

High school diploma or equivalent
Excellent phone skills
Written and verbal communication skills
Customer service skills
Basic computer skills

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time, Non-Exempt

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Accounts Payable Clerk is responsible for the day to day accounts payable processing and payment; providing accounting support and information for managers, staff, and vendors in the areas of accounts payable, employee expenses, record keeping and systems; uses QuickBooks to access information and to ensure accuracy of invoices, payments, and coding of expenses. Researches and responds to all applicable questions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Preparation and processing of accounts payable invoices and payments
Ensuring that payment is timely and accurate
Maintain files accurately
Ensure accurate input, proper expense accounting, and prompt payment and filing of paperwork.
Assist in identifying vendor discounts when available
Interact with vendors assuring proper services
Maintain Independent Contractor files
Makes recommendations for improving efficiency and accuracy of information
Provides basic purchasing and accounts payable orientation to new employees
Maintains confidentiality of financial and personal information
Processes employee expense reports and payments in a timely manner
Perform other duties and responsibilities as required

REQUIREMENTS:

Understanding of bookkeeping procedures
1-2 years of relevant experience
Work independently
Working knowledge of Accounts Payable processing
Outstanding customer service skills
Ability to work in a team setting with a diverse groups
Outstanding analytical, organizational and oral/written communication skills
Facility to prioritize
Ability to meet deadlines
Strong computer skills in a Windows environment, including Excel, Microsoft Word, and Quickbooks

SALES PROGRAM COUNSELOR

JOB DESCRIPTION / SUMMARY:
Over the phone sales of an intangible product and concepts that help families to change their lives. Develop and maintain long lasting relationships with the Institute’s participants and work to insure that their stay with us is enjoyable.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct telephone as well as face to face meetings with potential program participants.
Successfully participate in the Institute’s adult enrichment programs.
Interface with our passionate and energetic staff in a professional and enthusiastic manner.
Meet and exceed registration quotas.
Input and maintain detailed information in our contact management system.
Be hands on and a consummate team player in and exciting, fast paced yet intimate environment.

REQUIREMENTS

Outgoing, enthusiastic, detail oriented, charismatic and compassionate team player who is a fast learner and able to manage their time efficiently.
Proven success in previous sales capacity pertaining to quotas and assigned targets.
Meticulous written, telephone, face to face and presentation communication skills.
Self directed and committed to personal best.
Ability and desire to interface effectively with senior staff, board members, instructors, volunteers, program counselors and large donors.
Capability to think strategically as well as conceptually.
Proficient with Microsoft software, specifically Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Familiarity with Contact Management Systems such as GOLDMINE or ACT.
Ability to make connections with people.
Desire for personal growth.