Job Title: CEO
Direct Supervisor: Executive Board of Directors
Class: Full-time – Salaried – (Monday – Friday 9A-5P, some evenings and weekends)
Mission Statement: The Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce is a proactive member supported association of businesses, organizations and individuals, united in their effort to support a healthy business environment, promote business development, encourage growth of tourism and use its collective strength to enhance the quality of life in the community.
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CEO, Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber)
The CEO of the Chamber is a full-time, salaried position reporting directly to the Executive Board of Directors. This leadership role is crucial for advancing the Chamber's mission.
Position Summary
As the Chamber CEO, you will be responsible for the overall direction, oversight, and management of all Chamber operations and activities. This includes promoting community awareness of Chamber members, facilitating educational initiatives, and engaging with governmental agencies. You will be a key representative of the Chamber, building trust and credibility by networking, promoting activities, and fostering relationships with members and the wider community. Your role involves developing, implementing, and assessing Chamber programs, projects, and events as a communicator, facilitator, and interactive community planner.
Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities for this role are extensive and cover several critical areas:
- Board Relations: You will serve a visionary role in strategic planning, proactively participating with the board and executive board, committee chairs and volunteers, providing recommendations, operational information, and analysis. This includes developing recommendations for continuous improvement and preparing materials for board and executive board meetings.
- Chamber Functions: You will manage daily operations, adhere to the Chamber budget, and supervise the promotion of Chamber activities. You'll also serve as Master of Ceremonies for events and coordinate Chamber committees to ensure timely task completion. Additionally, you'll provide an oversight to the Tourism Director regarding grant writing, branding, marketing, and the tourism budget.
- Membership, Recruitment, and Retention: This involves ensuring the Membership Director is well-trained in customer service to drive retention, growth, and development. You will regularly assess member needs and interests, directing staff to deliver services accordingly, and actively promote Chamber services, programs, and brand.
- Financial Management: You will create and present annual operating and capital budgets to the Board, ensuring proper administration of financial activities, including the tourism budget, maintaining records, and providing regular analysis of financial trends and projections. Your efforts will be crucial in assuring the Chamber's financial strength.
- General Operations: This includes presenting an annual operating plan to the Board, developing, and overseeing marketing/public relations programs, and actively networking with public officials, business leaders, and media to build strategic alliances. You'll also be responsible for staff recruitment, retention, and development, fostering a positive work environment, and making employment decisions. Maintaining professional competence through local, state, and national chamber memberships.
Education & Experience
To be considered for this position, you must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field. Additionally, at least five (5) years of upper-level management experience in areas such as personnel, community relations, sales, marketing, budgeting, operations, and/or government relations preferred. Chamber of Commerce certifications through the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP), US Chamber of Commerce or American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) preferred.
Skills & Abilities
The ideal candidate will have:
- Operational Oversight: Ability to provide effective oversight of operations and administration.
- Financial Acumen: General knowledge of business practices, including forecasting and developing yearly budgets, ensuring timely financial reports, and controlling expenditures. Working knowledge of Chamber Master Management Software is helpful.
- Strategic Thinking: Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate, plan, and quickly realign priorities. Proven ability to implement strategic plans and forecasts to achieve business development objectives.
- Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to maintain effective relationships with the Board, members, and staff, and to collaborate effectively with community leaders. Excellent public presentation skills, including comfort with technology in front of large audiences and public speaking, are essential.
- Operational Oversight: Ability to provide effective oversight of operations and administration.
- Fundraising Experience: Demonstrated fundraising experience with events, campaigns, and grant writing.
- Marketing Knowledge: A working understanding of tourism, marketing, and social media and its role in the Chamber's forward strategy.
- Language Proficiency: Strong English language aptitude, including effective oral and written communication (including texting and email).
- All other duties/tasks as assigned
Benefits: Depending on Experience
This role demands a dynamic and experienced leader who can effectively manage all aspects of the Chamber while driving its mission forward through strong relationships and strategic initiatives.
