The President/CEO will report to a talented and committed Board of Directors consisting of successful and highly visible business leaders in the State. With a decidedly pro-business leader in Governor Chris Christie, the Board sees this as being a rare window of opportunity for the Chamber to promote initiatives critical to its members' abilities to grow and prosper. However, since the political landscape is always changing, the next President/CEO must be able to think and act quickly, garner the support of the Chamber's current membership, and grow its membership ranks without delay. With strength in numbers, it is clear that building membership will be critical to the next President/CEO's success.
Therefore,
we are seeking talented business leaders, with outstanding interpersonal,
public speaking and relationship-building skills as candidates for this
outstanding opportunity. Candidates should be intelligent, with a minimum of a
Bachelor's degree and Master's degree (preferred), a minimum of 10 years
business or membership organization leadership experience, high energy,
enthusiasm and a deep commitment to advancing the business environment in the
State of New Jersey. The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce has
retained Amrop Battalia Winston to assist with this search. All applications and inquiries should be
addressed to: Lyn Brennan, Partner, or Lisa Forsberg, Senior Associate,
Amrop Battalia Winston. Email: lbrennan@amropbw.com; or lforsberg@amropbw.com.
Electronic
submission of credentials is strongly encouraged.
Background
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber staff represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington. The organization also links the State's local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network.
The economic landscape of the Garden State has changed considerably since Thomas Edison and other business leaders signed the original charter of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. Although the state has transformed from an industrial society to a technological one, the State Chamber's goal has always remained the same - to represent the varying interests of their members and to help them clear burdensome regulatory hurdles that stifle growth. The Chamber's membership has always been broad-based, ranging from single person home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies with thousands of employees. Throughout the Chamber's rich history, the organization's talented leaders have always provided the guidance necessary to develop proactive solutions to the important and tough issues of the day.
The State Chamber's headquarters is just a stone's throw from the State House, which enables its staff to mobilize and react quickly to the rapid events that often unfold in the State's Capital. The Chamber's team of lobbyists interact daily with key legislative players in Trenton and their reach extends to Washington, where they represent their members in the halls of Congress and at the White House.
The Context of the Search
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, a vital organization in the economic and business landscape of New Jersey since 1911, is at a unique point in its nearly 100-year history. Approaching its centennial anniversary with the State facing unprecedented and ongoing economic uncertainty, but bolstered by a pro-business State legislature and governor, the Chamber is poised to have a great impact on the business climate of the State. In order to dramatically impact the future of the State of New Jersey, the Chamber must exert its strength and that strength comes from numbers. The Chamber currently has approximately 1,600 members, a number that the Board agrees needs to increase, particularly in the area of larger and corporate memberships.
The Chamber's former President/CEO recently resigned to pursue other opportunities. While this resignation creates a void at a critical time for the Chamber, it also creates opportunity. The Board has seized this opportunity to redefine and re-emphasize the critical measures of success for the next President/CEO, specifically emphasizing growth of the organization.
The Role and Responsibilities
The President/CEO will report to the Board of Directors of this 501(c)(6) membership lobbying organization, and will be responsible for both the day-to-day leadership and management of the organization and the development and implementation of longer-term plans for the ongoing growth and success of the organization. This includes protection of the organization's assets, financial and otherwise; revenue generation; and compliance with board directives and applicable federal and state requirements. The President/CEO will provide leadership for all phases of the Company's operations, with special emphasis on long range goals, growth, profit, and return on investments for members. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Ø Achieves and is personally responsible for a defined level of annual membership sales, member upgrades, and sponsorships, with an emphasis on the State's largest corporations and most prestigious business leaders.
Ø Works with business development/sales staff to ensure membership sales to middle and small companies, and various events; generate targeted revenues; reviews and evaluates the results of program activities and events.
Ø Performs the duties consistent with a head lobbyist for the Chamber advocating for business issues; builds relationships with the governor and cabinet members, elected and appointed officials in counties and municipalities, and with legislators and legislative staffers; delivers testimony as required.
Ø Works with Board members and staff to select, recruit and train Board members; promotes a culture of professionalism among Board members; secures an acceptable level of organizational support from board members; requires board members to adhere to an established code of conduct.
Ø Interacts with other personnel and organizations, including associations and nonprofits, large and small corporations, business leaders, and the press.
Ø Leads the development of short and long?term organizational goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures for operations. Establishes plans to achieve goals set by the Board of Directors and implements policies, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
Ø Oversees all accounting functions, including those necessary for auditing, budgeting, financial analyses, capital asset and property management, and payroll in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, board policies and procedures, and all other applicable rules and guidelines.
Ø Maintains and supports various subcommittees of the Board, such as an ethics committee and a nominating committee.
Ø Works with the nominating committee and business development/sales staff to ensure diversity on the Chamber Board and in Chamber membership.
Ø Promotes a culture of professionalism among staff; ensures that all staff are provided with appropriate support systems and responsive human resource functions.
Ø Ensures that all aspects of human resource management are in place, including but not limited to hiring and termination, developing position descriptions, setting compensation, and applying board?approved employee policies and benefits in accordance with federal and state requirements.
Ø Supervises senior staff members/heads of various departments within the organization.
Ø Analyzes and evaluates vendor services, particularly for insurance, employee benefits and management of funds to determine programs and providers that best meet the needs of the Chamber and its employees. Makes recommendations to the Board, as appropriate; negotiates services, terms and premiums and executes contracts with benefit plan providers, supply and service vendors, and auditors and consultants; oversees payroll and benefits programs.
Ø Assumes responsibility for contracts management; coordinates with financial and legal advisors to finalize agreement terms; monitors progress of contracts with documentation and ensures fulfillment of agreement terms.
The Ideal Candidate
This is clearly an outstanding opportunity for a business leader or membership-organization with a passion for the State of New Jersey and specifically a passion for driving the success of business in the State. Candidates may come from a variety of backgrounds, including the not-for-profit to the corporate sector. Regardless of the industry sector, candidates must have a demonstrated track record of driving organizational growth through sales, membership and/or a significant value-added proposition. Candidates must be comfortable in the public eye, and must be a dynamic, charismatic and convincing orator and have the ability to build coalitions and collaboration among a diverse group of constituents.
Specific experience and skills we are seeking include:
Ø Minimum of 10 years business leadership experience with demonstrated success in driving organizational growth and the delivery of value-added services
Ø Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree strongly preferred
Ø Strong business acumen, financial and strategic planning skills
Ø Outstanding interpersonal and public speaking skills
Ø Strong executive presence and the ability and comfort to work with a wide range of businesses
Ø High energy, enthusiasm and deep commitment to the business environment in the State of New Jersey
Ø Impeccable integrity
To Apply: All inquiries, nominations, and resumes may be submitted to:
Lyn Brennan, Partner
Amrop Battalia Winston
212-308-8080
email:
lbrennan@amropbw.com
or
Lisa Forsberg, Senior Associate
Amrop Battalia Winston
732-549-8200
Electronic submission of credentials is strongly encouraged.
SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 09/14/10
