President
Job Title: President
Class: Full time
Direct Supervisor: Chairperson of the Board of Directors/Executive Committee
Your Roanoke Valley Champion! Promoting and strengthening business, community and education. The Roanoke Valley Chamber’s mission is to continuously improve the business climate and build opportunities for growth in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. We accomplish this through programs focused on advocacy, economic development, events, and direct services to our members. Our purpose is to promote our community by building meaningful relationships between businesses, citizens, schools, civic and charitable organizations.
A Chamber of Commerce President operates as the top leader of a chamber of commerce, a membership-based organization of businesses. They are responsible for the overall strategic direction, operations, and success of the chamber, reporting to the board of directors. Their duties encompass a broad range of areas including strategic planning, financial management, membership development, advocacy, and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
POSITION SUMMARY: The President of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce provides leadership, direction and management for all aspects of Chamber activities and is responsible for seeing that the strategic initiatives and policies of the Board of Directors are effectively implemented. President serves as a non-voting member the Board’s Executive Committee. The President directly reports to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and communicates on a regular basis. Under the direction of the Board of Directors the President is responsible for maintaining continuity of the Chamber 501(c)(6). The President advises the Board and committees regarding policy, programs, and other key initiatives and serves as the principal advocate and spokesperson for the Chamber in conjunction with the Chairperson. The President works closely with a wide range of constituencies in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to build support and coalitions consistent with the Chamber’s overall vision, mission, current goals and priorities.
BASIC FUNCTION: The President is the chief executive officer of the organization. Scope: The Chamber Board of Directors is responsible for developing the strategic plan and priorities for the organization. The President is responsible for implementing and monitoring the strategic initiatives and policies of the Chamber. This is done by developing, implementing, and monitoring operating plans (business, financial, marketing, and operational plans). President is responsible to the Board of Directors for the full range of management activities: coordination of the planning efforts, organizational structure and procedures, motivation of volunteers, income and expenditures, maintenance of membership, employment, training and supervision of staff, interpretation of policy, and maintenance of facilities.
OTHER FUNCTIONS DETAILED – Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Business and Operational Plans: Through the proper chamber committees and staff, the President is responsible for the development and execution of business, financial, marketing, and operational plans to achieve the Chamber’s current strategic initiatives. This involves a continual evaluation of the business and community environment, adjusting to plans as needed, measuring progress toward attainment, providing resources where needed, and working with staff and volunteers to achieve the goals in the business, financial, marketing, and operational plans.
2. Board Relations: The President is responsible to maintain strong relationships, communicate in a professional manner and provide leadership necessary to garner the full engagement of the board members. Other board relations duties include preparing an agenda, maintaining Board minutes and records, implementing Board plans and programs in accordance with Board direction and established policies, serving as the primary contact with Chamber staff, initiating ideas for consideration by the Board and collaborating with the Board on all matters regarding the current mission, vision and initiatives.
3. Financial Performance: The President has fiduciary responsibility for the organization and develops the Chamber budget in conjunction with the Treasurer and the Finance Committee. The President shall implement and manage the budget as approved by the Board of Directors which includes providing monthly financial statements. Directly with the director of finance on monthly reporting, updates and reconciling of the books.
4. Policy: The President will ensure that adopted Chamber policy is properly recorded in minutes and policy manuals. The President will assist the Board, committees, members, and staff to follow current Chamber policy as it relates to programs, events, and other activities of the Chamber.
5. Membership Relations, Development, & Retention: The President provides leadership in membership services to ensure there is a compelling value proposition for current and prospective members. With the Director of proper committees, staff and other chamber organizations, the President will review membership needs, conduct member satisfaction surveys, as well as develop and recommend revisions to increase membership value, engagement, and financial support. In general member recruitment is an all-hands approach, the President directly recruits in the absence of a membership director.
6. Programs: The President is responsible for managing the operations of programs and events conducted by the Chamber and works with staff and other Chamber committees to plan, market, recruit participants, develop content, conduct the events, monitor finances, and evaluate the effectiveness of the programs.
7. Advocacy & Public Policy: Collaborate with the Board and staff to identify and manage the Chamber’s relationships and advocacy/public policy efforts with local, regional, state, and federal government bodies to achieve desired outcomes. Maximize the Chamber’s influence through relationships with government officials, delivering testimony on our positions, and coalition-building among those with similar views. Directly works with chief lobbyist hired at state level, engages on the city council level and federally. Much of this role requires that the President is pro-business.
8. Business Community Development: Work with the Board, staff, to support the economic development efforts in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. This includes working closely with other economic development organizations, researching needs, developing appropriate content, and linking businesses to resources to spur innovation and growth. Implementing tools the President sees value in supporting our mission of building business.
9. Image: The President works with the Board of Directors, staff, committees and other chamber organizations to build consistency, conviction and credibility throughout the Chamber to articulate our value and brand to internal and external audiences. This includes promoting our brand, surveying members on the Chamber’s value, developing marketing plans, collaborating with other organizations, communicating about the Chamber programs and services, evaluating the effectiveness of materials, and striving to continuously improve the Chamber’s image.
10. Liaison with the Community: Develop and maintain contacts and relationships with key community leaders, the President helps support the community. The President is frequently called upon to relate Chamber activities to the activities of all other groups in the improvement of the commercial, industrial, and civic life of the community. Represents the Chamber in meetings of local, state, and national organizations. Serves as a community leader, a visionary, and alliance builder to ensure a vibrant economic environment and high quality of life.
11. Other duties as assigned: Perform other duties assigned by the Chair, Executive Committee, Board of Directors that are consistent with the Chamber’s mission, vision and policies.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or public administration required, or equivalent experience preferred. Professional certifications and continuing education are also highly desirable.
2. Experience: Minimum of five years of leadership experience for a business or nonprofit organization.
3. Management: Familiarity with running a nonprofit and understanding the dynamics of a chamber of commerce, or a similar membership organization, which advocates for members and engages in economic development.
4. Leadership: Have demonstrated leadership skills for setting goals, objectives, plan and track multiple projects, and to hold people accountable. Show leadership for embracing diversity and success in working with the community.
5. Executive: Demonstrate an executive mind, capable of looking at the big picture, absorbing information quickly, thinking broadly, analyzing thoroughly, and acting decisively. Show willingness to pursue new ideas and challenge traditional thinking. 6. Planning & Organizing: Demonstrated ability to plan work activities and handle multiple project priorities and work with time pressure.
7. Communication – Possess superior communication and presentation skills along with strong listening, written, and verbal skills. Experience establishing positive and proactive communication with Board, staff, membership, public sector, civic groups, and general members of the community. Proven experience with traditional and online media including and especially social media.
8. Public Policy Skills – Demonstrated non-partisan and strategic public policy skills, and experience working with elected officials. Extensive knowledge of state and local government operations and legislative processes.
9. Collaboration: Proven record for engaging, partnering, and building alliances with a wide range of constituencies that includes business leaders, elected officials, and leaders from other organizations.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work environment is dictated by activities of the Chamber. The President shall generally be available during regular operating hours of the Chamber (9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday). The President shall set her/his own schedule provided that the President shall complete all duties, responsibilities, and management functions of the job description in a timely manner. The position is subject to work outside traditional hours and may have extended operating days. There is some business travel required. This person is responsible for reporting to the Chairperson of the Board any issues, concerns or questions that affect this organization. They will perform all other duties as directed by the Chairperson of the Board.
Class: Full time
Direct Supervisor: Chairperson of the Board of Directors/Executive Committee
Your Roanoke Valley Champion! Promoting and strengthening business, community and education. The Roanoke Valley Chamber’s mission is to continuously improve the business climate and build opportunities for growth in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. We accomplish this through programs focused on advocacy, economic development, events, and direct services to our members. Our purpose is to promote our community by building meaningful relationships between businesses, citizens, schools, civic and charitable organizations.
A Chamber of Commerce President operates as the top leader of a chamber of commerce, a membership-based organization of businesses. They are responsible for the overall strategic direction, operations, and success of the chamber, reporting to the board of directors. Their duties encompass a broad range of areas including strategic planning, financial management, membership development, advocacy, and community engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Planning and Vision:
- Financial Management:
- Membership Development:
- Advocacy and Government Relations:
- Community Engagement:
- Program and Event Management:
- Staff Leadership:
- Communication and Public Relations:
- Board Relations:
- Operational Management:
- Monitoring and Evaluation:
POSITION SUMMARY: The President of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce provides leadership, direction and management for all aspects of Chamber activities and is responsible for seeing that the strategic initiatives and policies of the Board of Directors are effectively implemented. President serves as a non-voting member the Board’s Executive Committee. The President directly reports to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and communicates on a regular basis. Under the direction of the Board of Directors the President is responsible for maintaining continuity of the Chamber 501(c)(6). The President advises the Board and committees regarding policy, programs, and other key initiatives and serves as the principal advocate and spokesperson for the Chamber in conjunction with the Chairperson. The President works closely with a wide range of constituencies in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to build support and coalitions consistent with the Chamber’s overall vision, mission, current goals and priorities.
BASIC FUNCTION: The President is the chief executive officer of the organization. Scope: The Chamber Board of Directors is responsible for developing the strategic plan and priorities for the organization. The President is responsible for implementing and monitoring the strategic initiatives and policies of the Chamber. This is done by developing, implementing, and monitoring operating plans (business, financial, marketing, and operational plans). President is responsible to the Board of Directors for the full range of management activities: coordination of the planning efforts, organizational structure and procedures, motivation of volunteers, income and expenditures, maintenance of membership, employment, training and supervision of staff, interpretation of policy, and maintenance of facilities.
OTHER FUNCTIONS DETAILED – Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Business and Operational Plans: Through the proper chamber committees and staff, the President is responsible for the development and execution of business, financial, marketing, and operational plans to achieve the Chamber’s current strategic initiatives. This involves a continual evaluation of the business and community environment, adjusting to plans as needed, measuring progress toward attainment, providing resources where needed, and working with staff and volunteers to achieve the goals in the business, financial, marketing, and operational plans.
2. Board Relations: The President is responsible to maintain strong relationships, communicate in a professional manner and provide leadership necessary to garner the full engagement of the board members. Other board relations duties include preparing an agenda, maintaining Board minutes and records, implementing Board plans and programs in accordance with Board direction and established policies, serving as the primary contact with Chamber staff, initiating ideas for consideration by the Board and collaborating with the Board on all matters regarding the current mission, vision and initiatives.
3. Financial Performance: The President has fiduciary responsibility for the organization and develops the Chamber budget in conjunction with the Treasurer and the Finance Committee. The President shall implement and manage the budget as approved by the Board of Directors which includes providing monthly financial statements. Directly with the director of finance on monthly reporting, updates and reconciling of the books.
4. Policy: The President will ensure that adopted Chamber policy is properly recorded in minutes and policy manuals. The President will assist the Board, committees, members, and staff to follow current Chamber policy as it relates to programs, events, and other activities of the Chamber.
5. Membership Relations, Development, & Retention: The President provides leadership in membership services to ensure there is a compelling value proposition for current and prospective members. With the Director of proper committees, staff and other chamber organizations, the President will review membership needs, conduct member satisfaction surveys, as well as develop and recommend revisions to increase membership value, engagement, and financial support. In general member recruitment is an all-hands approach, the President directly recruits in the absence of a membership director.
6. Programs: The President is responsible for managing the operations of programs and events conducted by the Chamber and works with staff and other Chamber committees to plan, market, recruit participants, develop content, conduct the events, monitor finances, and evaluate the effectiveness of the programs.
7. Advocacy & Public Policy: Collaborate with the Board and staff to identify and manage the Chamber’s relationships and advocacy/public policy efforts with local, regional, state, and federal government bodies to achieve desired outcomes. Maximize the Chamber’s influence through relationships with government officials, delivering testimony on our positions, and coalition-building among those with similar views. Directly works with chief lobbyist hired at state level, engages on the city council level and federally. Much of this role requires that the President is pro-business.
8. Business Community Development: Work with the Board, staff, to support the economic development efforts in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. This includes working closely with other economic development organizations, researching needs, developing appropriate content, and linking businesses to resources to spur innovation and growth. Implementing tools the President sees value in supporting our mission of building business.
9. Image: The President works with the Board of Directors, staff, committees and other chamber organizations to build consistency, conviction and credibility throughout the Chamber to articulate our value and brand to internal and external audiences. This includes promoting our brand, surveying members on the Chamber’s value, developing marketing plans, collaborating with other organizations, communicating about the Chamber programs and services, evaluating the effectiveness of materials, and striving to continuously improve the Chamber’s image.
10. Liaison with the Community: Develop and maintain contacts and relationships with key community leaders, the President helps support the community. The President is frequently called upon to relate Chamber activities to the activities of all other groups in the improvement of the commercial, industrial, and civic life of the community. Represents the Chamber in meetings of local, state, and national organizations. Serves as a community leader, a visionary, and alliance builder to ensure a vibrant economic environment and high quality of life.
11. Other duties as assigned: Perform other duties assigned by the Chair, Executive Committee, Board of Directors that are consistent with the Chamber’s mission, vision and policies.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, or public administration required, or equivalent experience preferred. Professional certifications and continuing education are also highly desirable.
2. Experience: Minimum of five years of leadership experience for a business or nonprofit organization.
3. Management: Familiarity with running a nonprofit and understanding the dynamics of a chamber of commerce, or a similar membership organization, which advocates for members and engages in economic development.
4. Leadership: Have demonstrated leadership skills for setting goals, objectives, plan and track multiple projects, and to hold people accountable. Show leadership for embracing diversity and success in working with the community.
5. Executive: Demonstrate an executive mind, capable of looking at the big picture, absorbing information quickly, thinking broadly, analyzing thoroughly, and acting decisively. Show willingness to pursue new ideas and challenge traditional thinking. 6. Planning & Organizing: Demonstrated ability to plan work activities and handle multiple project priorities and work with time pressure.
7. Communication – Possess superior communication and presentation skills along with strong listening, written, and verbal skills. Experience establishing positive and proactive communication with Board, staff, membership, public sector, civic groups, and general members of the community. Proven experience with traditional and online media including and especially social media.
8. Public Policy Skills – Demonstrated non-partisan and strategic public policy skills, and experience working with elected officials. Extensive knowledge of state and local government operations and legislative processes.
9. Collaboration: Proven record for engaging, partnering, and building alliances with a wide range of constituencies that includes business leaders, elected officials, and leaders from other organizations.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work environment is dictated by activities of the Chamber. The President shall generally be available during regular operating hours of the Chamber (9:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday). The President shall set her/his own schedule provided that the President shall complete all duties, responsibilities, and management functions of the job description in a timely manner. The position is subject to work outside traditional hours and may have extended operating days. There is some business travel required. This person is responsible for reporting to the Chairperson of the Board any issues, concerns or questions that affect this organization. They will perform all other duties as directed by the Chairperson of the Board.
