Now seeking candidates for the position of Chief Executive Officer.
The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce is a member driven, proactive organization guided by a committed Board of Directors selected from a wide range of county businesses and organizations.
Our Mission is to support a prosperous business climate in Hardin County through advocacy, information and customer service in order to promote business development, retention and enhance our quality of place.
To bring our members the greatest benefits, HCCC focuses on helping our members to network, promote, develop, and advocate.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The President and CEO reports directly to the Board of Directors and leads all facets of oversight of the budget, and staff of the organization. The President and CEO will serve as the chief spokesperson to represent the Greater Hardin County area as the premier business organization with investors, businesses, government entities, and other key stakeholders. The President and CEO works with peer organizations to improve the region and drive business attraction, retention, and expansion, and advocates for policies that advance a favorable climate where business can grow and thrive.
Specifically, the President and CEO is responsible for the following:
- Strategic Direction: In conjunction with the Board of Directors and President’s Circle, develops and executes a visionary strategic plan to focus the organization on the key priorities that are critical to advancing a diverse and inclusive business climate in the Greater Hardin County region.
- Board Relations: Builds and maintains strong collaborative relationships with Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s (HCCC) highly engaged and influential Board of Directors and President’s Circle. Inspires the CEO community for greater engagement in HCCC and regional civic life, bringing their insight and resources to bear on enhancing the health of Greater Hardin County. Serves as a servant leader, partnering with the Board to establish short- and long-range focus on strategies to accelerate Greater Hardin County’s economic prosperity and vibrancy.
- External Relations & Strategic Partnerships: Serves as the dynamic spokesperson, servant leader, and primary advocate with elected officials, the media, business leaders, academia, and other key civic stakeholders. Develops strong relationships with industry leaders, and partnerships with other local civic community organizations, implementing equitable and sustainable approaches to growing the local economy and raising the quality of life for all citizens in the region. Identifies strategic partnership opportunities, both within Hardin County and externally, that will improve the region’s ability to attract investment and business attraction and growth.
- Economic Development: Serves as a resource to partner organizations, local governments, entrepreneurs, and others in efforts to attract new business and jobs. Seeks out, and develops, initiatives that improve infrastructure, enhance our workforce system, improve livability, and foster endless ways to improve the market’s quality of place.
- Advocacy: Serves as an advocate and regional convener to advance HCCC’s strategic public policy agenda before government, business, media, and other key external stakeholders. Also provides advocacy muscle for many of the region’s most critical organizations and efforts. Collaborates effectively with elected officials and other regional leaders to influence outcomes with the goal of advancing priority economic development initiatives for the region.
- Organizational Leadership: Fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and results through bold and visionary leadership. Provides oversight and leadership of the highly respected, dedicated, and skilled professionals that staff the organization. Sets a clear vision for goals and expectations while encouraging an internal culture of partnership, creativity, innovation, member service, and entrepreneurial thinking.
- Membership, Recruitment and Retention: Exhibits a strong customer service focus to ensure membership retention, growth and development. They shall regularly assess the needs and interests of the membership and develop/deliver services according to those needs and interests. The CEO will maintain positive relationships through various means of advocacy, collaboration and communication with the membership and actively promote Chamber services and programs. They shall also implement a system for the measurement, monitoring and continuous improvement of quality of services and operations of HCCC.
- Operations: Provides fiscally responsible administration of the organization’s resources and ensures long-term, sustainable financial health. Partners with the Board to ensure a highly functioning organization by defining a clear direction, operating targets through effective planning, a positive and professional culture of excellence, talented and motivated staff, a digital strategy, and effective process systems. Develops annual business plans that ensure fiscal integrity and prudence, including oversight of internal audits of financial and operating systems.
- Financial Management: Creates and presents to the Board annual operating and capital budgets that reflect the programs and goals of the organization. This role also ensures the following: proper administration of the Chamber financial activities; maintains appropriate data, records and financial controls; communicates and coordinates, as appropriate, with the Board regarding financial matters; provides regular analysis of financial trends and projections to the Board; recommends sound responses and strategies; and assures financial strength of the Chamber.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
HCCC seeks a well-respected, inspirational leader with a passion for advancing the organization’s mission and priorities. S/he will be a dynamic and innovative leader who builds on HCCC’s strong legacy, while bringing a fresh approach to envision the future of business and the economy for the Greater Hardin County region. The President and CEO will have demonstrated experience developing and implementing a visionary strategic plan in conjunction with a diverse influential, executive-level Board of Directors. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of executive-level leadership experience with a regional, national, or global organization of similar scale and complexity, with demonstrated working knowledge of business, public policy, and economic development.
Specific experience and qualifications will include:
- Genuine passion for positioning the Hardin County region as a top location nationally to conduct business and positively influencing the future economic vibrancy of the region.
- Demonstrated experience working effectively with a diverse Board of Directors to advance an organization’s priorities and achieve impactful outcomes
- Exceptional gravitas, confidence, and stellar communications skills to serve as the principal external spokesperson for HCCC. The President and CEO will be a passionate public advocate for the mission and vision of HCCC, with an ability to build collaborative partnerships and open doors with other organizations, both inside and outside Hardin County.
- A track record for leading through complex challenges with multiple diverse stakeholders. Effective at leading change while engaging diverse viewpoints.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Ability to build trust and relate well with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated political savvy, with ability to drive influence and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
- A servant leadership style that fosters a collaborative, results-oriented work environment that empowers staff members to accomplish organizational objectives. Ability to attract, engage, develop, and retain top caliber talent.
- Operates with the highest level of integrity, intellectual agility, creativity, and vision. Nimble leadership with openness to new ideas. High energy and a positive attitude toward achieving significant challenges.
- Proven record of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of business and civic life.
- Ability to maintain extensive in-county travel schedule.
EDUCATION
Master’s degree is strongly preferred; Bachelor’s degree required.
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package with revenue growth-based incentives will be made available to the qualified candidate.