Nashville LGBT Chamber Seeks Qualified Candidates for CEO Position

Chief Executive Officer Job Description June 17, 2018 Overview The Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”), a 501(c)(6) membership organization, and its foundation, the Nashville LGBT Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, (the “Foundation,” and, together with the Chamber, the “Organization”), are recruiting a new full-time Chief Executive Officer. 

The Chamber advances common business interests, economic growth, and equality in the workplace and society for its LGBT members, allies, and businesses. The Chamber provides educational, networking, and community building opportunities within the greater context of promoting diversity, inclusion, equality, and equity for people of any and every walk of life. The Foundation educates, inspires, and empowers LGBT business professionals. The Chamber is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

The CEO, by authority granted from the Board of Directors of the Organization, serves as part of the leadership team of the Chamber and the Foundation. The Chamber and the Foundation are currently governed by a seventeen-member volunteer Board of Directors with a four-member Executive Committee.

The Chamber’s leadership has traditionally been stable. The most-recent CEO has been in her position for six years and was the first full-time employee of the Organization. The Chamber currently has a second full-time Membership & Events Coordinator position, which reports to the CEO. Additional information on the Chamber and Foundation can be found at nashvillelgbtchamber.org.

Primary Job Responsibilities

This position has the responsibility for managing overall operations within the office, business affairs, and staff of the Chamber with full accountability for initiating, implementing, and evaluating all aspects of Chamber activities. The CEO is accountable to the President of the Board of Directors on behalf of the membership of the organization, ensuring positive results for the Chamber. The CEO assists the Chamber in developing and adjusting a strategic plan that will sustain and enhance the organization’s revenue to support the goals of the Chamber.

This position maintains strong relationships with the Board of Directors and provides the strategic leadership necessary to assure full Board participation. Ultimately the CEO provides leadership and support of the organization’s regional economic development efforts through business attraction, member development, retention and expansion. Additionally, the CEO cultivates, maintains and enhances the strategic and diverse alliances in place with all partners. 

Below is a list of responsibilities categorized by the major areas of oversight for this position. As a leader among leaders in a rapidly growing city and within the field of diversity, candidates should view these duties as a window into the role, and not as an exhaustive list.

Membership and Revenue

● Lead all aspects of Chamber membership including acquiring, onboarding and retaining members at all levels.

● Responsible for member connectivity and networking.

● Responsible for all aspects of Chamber fundraising events including leading the event committee, sponsorships, venue sourcing and coordination, vendor management, ticket sales, speakers, awards, content, agenda, special features and marketing.

● Seek and execute on additional fundraising opportunities including existing partnership programs.

Administration and Operations

● Responsibility for operations, management, long-range planning for the organization, membership relations, policy recommendations to the Board of Directors, and to be a visible member of the community.

● Providing oversight for Chamber committees including identifying committee members, providing direction.

● Assist Treasurer in preparing the Chamber budget and ensures all areas meet the budget.

● Fiscal responsibility and management of Chamber budget and finances.

● Manages Chamber staff, including decisions to hire, terminate, promote, or discipline employees in an ethical and professional manner.

Professional Development and Community Outreach

● Responsible for member development programming.

● Create valuable partnership with Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and other area chambers of commerce.

● Lead the Chamber’s political and advocacy activities and, as such, has regular dealings with LGBT and minority organizations, top political and elected officials on the local, regional and national level.

● Represent the LGBT business community at government functions and venues in a bipartisan way by meeting regularly with elected and administrative officials (at all levels) on public policy matters affecting the Chamber’s priorities and the business community.

● Involve the Chamber in ballot initiative campaigns that impact the business community or important Chamber priorities.

● Serve as a principal spokesperson for the Chamber in all venues, proactively and reactively, with a goal to enhance the Chamber’s overall image.

● Represent the Chamber before various conferences, conventions and business groups as panelist or principal speaker. Become “the face” of the LGBT business community throughout the region/state.

● Represent the Chamber at all appropriate civic, cultural, charitable, business, and community activities. Serve on boards, commissions, committees and organizations related to areas that are critical to Chamber goals and interests.

● Manage and grow relationship with National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

● Manage and maintain the LGBTBE Certification program and continue to grow numbers.

● Lead and coordinate the Pride in Business Employee Resource Group (ERG) program

● Oversee the Foundation scholarship program.

● Serve as thought leader through publishing articles and/or blogs, speaking engagements, etc.

Miscellaneous

● Ensure full compliance with the law at all times in all corporate, financial, tax and personnel matters.

● Perform other responsibilities as needed and assigned by the Board of Directors.

Professional Qualifications 

The ideal candidate would currently serve as the top executive of a comparable organization, preferably a non-profit, with a proven track record of success.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

● A Bachelor’s degree. Preferred degrees include: Business Administration, Management, Finance, Public Administration, Communications, Marketing, Economics, Political Science.

● A minimum of five years’ experience in senior management, preferably within a Chamber of Commerce or similar career background in non-profit, private, or public sectors.

● Experience in managing community-based, non-profit organizations or significant experience in related for-profit business will be considered. 

Experience working with sourcing, managing and recognizing volunteers.

● Experience in developing and successfully implementing strategic organizational plans.

● Relevant experience that demonstrates leadership in the management of complex and dynamic organizations as well as broad exposure to fiscal management.

● Demonstrated experience in general management, budgeting and financial management, marketing, human resources management, and Board/volunteer relations.

● Demonstrated ability to influence and understand electoral and governmental processes.

● Strong oral and written communications skills with a large focus on excellent public speaking skills.

● Must be proficient or familiar working with the following: Microsoft Word, Excel, Email, Internet; Google Suite for Nonprofits, project management software; and social media platforms (examples are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram)

● Experience working with Chambermaster membership software and Basecamp project management software is preferred.

Salary

Salary is commensurate with experience.

How to Apply 

Applications will be accepted through 5 PM Central Time on Friday, July 6, 2018. For confidential consideration please submit your resume, letter of interest with salary requirements, introductory video (three-minute maximum) and preferred methods of contact via email to: recruiting@nashvillelgbtchamber.org. Phone inquiries will not be accepted.