Executive Director Hybrid Full-time

Role Highlights:

• Ability to collaborate with business civic and municipal partners in advancing member businesses and overall business economy in Evanston IL
• Fulltime hybrid position with small team
• Location Evanston IL

Job Brief:

The Executive Director is the chief paid executive and administrative officer of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. The primary directive of the Executive Director is to serve the membership by leading the growth and development of the Evanston Chamber as well as the implementation of programs necessary to achieve the Chamber’s mission. The Executive Director is responsible for providing highly visible leadership in the community and building upon the Chamber’s strong reputation in all issues related to the regional economy and community vitality. The Executive Director has overall responsibility for member development/service; community engagement/advocacy; economic development; marketing; management of operations/administration finance staff leadership; strategic planning; and oversight of all Board directed initiatives. The Executive Director is the key representative and advocate for business owners and employers in the Evanston area with the goal of promoting and strengthening the community by building prosperity through a healthy economy and a strong business sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Member Development/Service

• Oversees the direction of all membership efforts including the recruitment of new members and the retention of current members.
• Directs the work of and collaborates with the Director Membership Development and Services to create and implement a targeted membership recruitment and retention strategy that increases total yearoveryear membership total and grows annual membership revenue.
• Closely monitors industry trends and local issues/developments that impact the Chamber’s membership efforts and member business opportunities.
• Ensures continued and increasing value for members by collaborating with staff Board of Directors and members to create innovative programs member benefits and services and compelling messaging that maximizes the value of Chamber membership.

Advocacy/Governmental Affairs

• Keeps informed of projects and legislation that will impact Evanston business.
• Advocates for legislation and public policy development that benefits members as well as other business owners and employers in the Evanston area with the goal of promoting and strengthening the community and business sector.
• Represents the Chamber at meetings functions and events before committees of the city county state legislature Congress and other regulatory groups as needed.
• Establishes a rapport and leverages relationships with community leaders and elected officials to further the advocacy efforts of the Chamber. Provides counsel to members and businesses as needed.

Community Engagement

• Effectively establishes and maintains positive relationships in the Evanston and surrounding communities to further the objectives of the Chamber. Represents the Chamber in private and public forums.
• Develops strategic relationships with leaders outside of Evanston and with external organizations to further the objectives of the Chamber.
• Effectively addresses requests from and manages expectations of various community organizations regarding the availability of financial support and staff assistance provided by the Chamber.

Economic Development

• Develops and maintains close liaisons with significant economic and community development organizations at the local regional and state levels.
• Serves as an economic development resource to businesses in the Evanston community and maintains key economic and marketing data and statistics for use by prospective and existing businesses.
• Develops commercial real estate leads and knowledge of commercial real estate inventory to assist in referrals between businesses and building owners.

Marketing

• Develops implements and directs the branding identity and promotion of the Chamber in cooperation with the Board of Directors.
• Increases the visibility of the Chamber through the development of business communications and marketing materials both printed and electronic including management of the Chamber website and publishing the Annual Community Guide.
• Establishes relationships and actively engages regional media
• Serves on relevant Boards and Commissions as requested/needed.

Operations and Financial Management

• Manages Chamber facility and all aspects of its operations and maintenance to ensure efficient costeffective operation.
• Periodically reviews special events to determine and recommend event status based on continued relevance and value of investment.
• Consistently delivers revenue growth and positive bottomline performance. Including but not limited to the creation of new sponsorship and advertising opportunities for members as an effective revenue stream for the Chamber.
• Develops an annual budget with input from Chamber staff the board treasurer and the Chamber bookkeeper to be presented to the board of directors for approval each year and as requested.
• Effectively manages the budget and associated Board communication.

Project/Program Management

• Works cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals resolve problems and make decisions that enhance the Chamber staff effectiveness.
• Leads and directs staff Board members volunteers and contractors in the planning coordination administration and execution of all large annual events including by not limited to Legislative Outlook Breakfast State of the City Luncheon Annual Meeting Golf Outing Fountain Square Arts Festival and MashUp.

Staff Leadership Board Relations and Strategic Planning

• Recruits hires and guides/manages staff to achieve the highest levels of member service and productivity including evaluating staffing needs on a regular basis to best meet the Chamber’s objectives.
• Manages and maintains compensation and benefits plans.
• Manages staff feedback and supports professional development objectives for the team.
• Collaborates with the Board of Directors to create maintain and revise a working Strategic Plan for the Chamber

• Attends all meetings of and serves as the Chief Advisor to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
• Effectively engages interacts and communicates with the Board of Directors and serves on designated Board Committees.

Qualifications/Competencies

• B.A. or equivalent education in business marketing communications or a related field. MBA or B.A. in Urban Development and Planning a plus.
• 710 years of work experience in relevant related industries including nonprofits and/or successful previous chamber management experience.
• Experience working with or serving on nonprofit and/or business boards.
• Understanding of and experience working with small business and/or corporate stakeholders.
• Solid financial acumen and skill in developing and managing budgets.
• Proven ability to manage new initiatives or projects from concept to delivery and evaluation on time and within budget.
• Superior professional presence and confidence in a highly visible role.
• A highly effective multitasker who can execute multiple aspects of the job simultaneously.
• Highly organized able to prioritize and delegate efficiently and flexible enough to accommodate shifts to schedules or plans as they occur.
• Excellent communication skills and strong ability to interact and participate effectively with leaders and stakeholders/constituencies throughout the community and state.
• Ability to be both a selfstarter and engaging leader contributing at both the individual level and inspiring the productivity and excellence of others (staff volunteers leaders)
• Demonstrated business development relationship development and customer/member service expertise.