The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking for a President/Chief Executive Officer that shares the chamber’s commitment to building a strong local economy and strengthening, enhancing and protecting the businesses in our community.

It does this by providing a broad array of valuable services including networking, community involvement, information access, discounts and benefits, legislative advocacy, political action, and high profile events and programs to its members.

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The objectives of the position include:

• Enhancing an environment that promotes local business, thus strengthening the community
• Achieving and maintaining high level of member satisfaction and loyalty
• Managing the Chamber consistent with its core values of being member focused, and managing with a high degree of integrity and excellence in every action, innovation, teamwork, leadership and diversity.
• Driving public policy on behalf of the business community
• Continually improving the Chamber’s financial position

Specific responsibilities of the President and Chief Executive Officer include:

Strategic Direction:  In conjunction with the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, refines and implements the long-range strategic plan for the Chamber.  Facilitates the development and successful implementation of the Chamber’s vision as well as strategic and operational plans.

Board and Executive Committee Relations:  Builds and maintains strong relationships and open communications with the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.  Maximizes and leverages strong Board relationships and engages Board members.  Collaborates and provides counsel to the Board and Chamber committees regarding public policy, programs and other key initiatives.  Maintains regular communications with the Chairman and Executive Committee members.  Plans and organizes Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings on a regular basis.

Membership Growth and Development:  Provides leadership in membership to ensure there is a compelling value proposition that attracts and retains members.  Personally engages in membership development.

Administration:  Attracts, develops and retains a strong staff; develops future leaders for the Chamber; manages a highly effective and efficient organization as measured by the achievement of priority goals, membership satisfaction and growth, revenue generation to support priorities and operations, and quality programs and initiatives.  Develops and effectively manages annual budgets that are aligned to the strategic goals of the Chamber.  Ensures sound financial operations, transparency and a balanced budget annually.   Analyze and improve current operations to increase productivity and member value.

Community Leadership:  Serves as a community leader, a visionary, and alliance builder to ensure a vibrant economic environment and high quality of life for both employers and their employees from companies and organizations of all sizes.

Advocacy/Public Policy:  In conjunction with the Governmental Affairs Committee, the Legislative Advocate, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors; identifies public policy issues and positions and leads in shaping and advancing the Chamber’s legislative and political agenda.  Expresses strong, effective representation before governmental bodies to achieve desired outcomes.  Collaborates successfully with other organizations in advocating a pro-business agenda.

Spokesperson:  In conjunction with the Chamber’s Chairman, serves as a principal spokesperson for the Chamber in all venues, with a goal to enhance the overall brand and image of the Chamber and the business community. Communicates the member’s position on key issues and is inclusive of member companies of all sizes in doing so.  Demonstrates the many successes achieved by the Chamber to external audiences.

External Relationships:  Works closely with a wide range of stakeholders in both the private and public sector including the SCV Economic Development Corporation (SCVEDC) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to build and support coalitions consistent with the Chamber’s overall mission and priorities.  Assures that the business community is represented on committees and organizations that are critical to the success of the Chamber and the business community.

The Chamber is led by a 28-volunteer Board of Directors which is committed to advancing the mission of the Chamber; this position reports to the Board of Directors.

The position of President / Chief Executive Officer for Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce offers the right applicant the opportunity to participate in the leadership and growth of the “most business friendly community” in Southern California:  one of So-Cal’s largest Chambers, with very supportive and engaged members and community/media advocates.  This community is recognized for extremely high quality of life, with an ever-increasing range of events and attractions.  With its high desirability as a lifestyle destination, opportunities for economic growth abound.  The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce seeks a leader who will take its members forward to further business growth.

The successful Candidate will demonstrate competency and substantiation in:

• Membership Recruitment
• Membership Retention of 1200 +/-
• Management of Staff & Vendors
• Programs for Membership Value-Added
• Creativity in Non-Dues Revenue Generation
• Liaison & Alliances with Government & Community Organizations
• Productive Interface with interested and participative Board of Directors
• Economic Development & Strategic Planning
• Management of Operating Budget
• Policies & Procedure Development / Compliance
• Marketing Communications & Branding
• Media Relations & Diplomacy
• Fund-Raising & Event Management
• Volunteer Utilization (exceptionally strong committees)

Requirements:

5-10 years experience in leadership role of membership organization or economic development entity.   Experience working with Boards of Directors, Municipal / Government entities, media, etc.  Strong computer literacy in word processing, bookkeeping, financial management, social networking, and presentation support. Strong 1:1 and group communications skills.  MBA or MPA, Western Association of Chamber Executives and / or United States Chamber Institute graduates, or experiential equivalencies.

Contact: Susan Reynolds, NewMarket Careers (Board member and search committee lead), at sreynolds@newmarketcareers.com with cover letter, resume, recent compensation history, and references.  No phone calls, please.

• Submission Deadline:  15 November, 2010 for first review
• Timeline:  Open until Filled
• Location:  Santa Clarita, northern Los Angeles County, CA
• Compensation:  Base Salary of $75-85K, plus negotiable incentive for positive financial results
• Relocation:  No
• Benefits:  Participation in Medical Plan
• RSVP: Principals Only.
• Equal Opportunity Employer