The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce is seeking a self-motivated, accomplished, strategic,

and visionary executive business leader as its next President & Chief Executive Officer. The CEO will work closely with an engaged Board of Directors and a dedicated staff to inspire innovation and execute the goals of the organization. The CEO will ensure that the organization continues to be well-equipped in advancing its mission of being Tennessee’s most influential business advocate, by promoting a positive business climate in the state.

This individual is skilled at driving organizational success and empowering high performing staff in a not-for-profit setting. The Chief Executive Officer must prove to be competent in setting the cultural tone of the organization. Reporting to the board of directors, the CEO will be based at the organization’s offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and will have overall management responsibility for growing an impactful organization with an annual budget of $3 million and 10 employees.

Combining sophisticated management abilities and inspirational leadership, the CEO will advance the organization’s culture, capabilities, processes, and impact. Working closely with the organization’s executive team, the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce CEO will work to ensure a business climate in which Tennessee Chamber members both large and small can compete successfully in local, regional, national, and international marketplaces.

This full-time permanent position is for immediate hire onsite in Nashville, Tennessee.

President & CEO Role Responsibilities

Organizational Management & Executive Leadership

• Provide visionary, thoughtful, empowering executive leadership that is inclusive and transparent in a manner that both drives and strengthens the organization’s mission as defined by the Tennessee Chamber Board of Directors.
• Oversee a staff that includes an advocacy team made up of registered lobbyists, event sponsorship and coordination and administrative professionals.
• Present proposals and strategic opportunities for organizational impact, and gain Board approval as needed to carry out the work supporting the mission of the organization.
• Primary engagement includes: executives and employees of member organizations; local, state and national elected officials and their staffs in Tennessee and in Washington D.C.; state agency heads and their representatives; representatives and executives of local chambers statewide; executives at other business-focused organizations and associations; professional associations; labor leaders; college, technical school and university leaders
• Lead and/or direct lobbying activities within the state legislative and regulatory bodies regarding issues of priority for the Chamber and state business.
• Represent the organization and serve as chief spokesperson publicly at the legislature, events, conferences, and partnership meetings
• Develop, evaluate and advise on the impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies and regulatory actions. Plan, develop, and establish policies and objectives of the organization in accordance with Board directives.
• Membership and Member Relations: Establish credibility throughout the organization and with the Board as an effective developer of solutions that supports marketing and membership challenges. Oversee activities related to maintaining effective membership and member relations across the state. Maintain communication with members through onsite visits, publications, and electronic and social media.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the organization and ensure its overall long term operational success.
• Organize, inspire, and mentor internal team to strategically grow the organization’s impact, programs, fundraising and effectively fulfill the organization’s mission.
• Utilize innovative thinking and measurements of performance to support and analyze decision making.
• Promote a culture that encourages empowerment, innovation, teamwork and collaboration amongst departments.
• Create goals, objectives, and operational plans for the organization in partnership with the Board of Directors, staff, and other state-wide leaders.
• Contribute to the strategic plan and drive its implementation.
• Oversee and encourage staff, manage processes such as onboarding, offboarding, staff development, performance management, compensation, and benefits.
• Inspire results-driven, professional environment across the organization.

Board of Directors Governance

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce CEO reports to the Board Chair, and works closely with the Executive Officers and Board of Directors. The CEO is a member of the Executive Committee.

• Communicate effectively with Board of Directors members and support Board members.
• Provide effective and regular communication with the Board, to ensure optimal operations and make informed decisions in a well-timed manner.
• Attend all Board of Directors meetings and provide updates on special projects, partnerships, staff, events, and organizational development.
• Implement board developed policies and procedures, and build support for board decisions amongst staff members.
• Work closely with the board of directors and committees to ensure ongoing communication of issues, risks, and successes.
• Actively seek out new board members.
• Maintain an inclusive board of directors that is diverse and represents both large and small business members from various geographical locations across the state.
• Fill board positions when vacant.
• Provide annual orientation to new board members.

Organizational Branding & Marketing

• Drive development, marketing, and fundraising in collaboration with the Programs & Events Director and Sponsorship & Advertising Manager, leveraging the Board as needed
• Ensure the organization’s financial stability and sustainability by maintaining healthy cash flow and adequate reserves

Financial Management and Administration

• Provide strategic leadership and hands-on management for all of the administrative and operational functions of the organization in accordance with the mission, objectives, and policies

• Prudently direct resources and manage all financials within budget guidelines and according to current laws and regulations
• Assume responsibility for the fiscal integrity of the organization
• Monitor board-approved budget and manage daily financial operations to ensure maximum utilization of resources and optimum financial positioning for the organization
• Ensure maximum resource utilization, budget management, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position
• Build and administer the annual budget, with Board approval

PREFERRED EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Seven years of prior experience as a CEO, Executive Director, or in a related position at a nonprofit, foundation, government, or industry
• Strong business acumen and a history of providing visionary leadership at the executive level
• Proven experience executing organization growth and leading a similar or larger size successful nonprofit and/or related entity
• Proven experience working with and leading a nonprofit Board and working with diverse groups of people
• Familiarity with diverse business functions such as Government Relations, Marketing, Public Relations, Human Resources, etc.
• Experience and success in motivating, recruiting, developing, retaining, and mentoring high performance, mission-driven, and results-oriented teams
• Excellent written, oral, and public speaking skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with strong interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
• A bachelor’s or advanced degree preferred