President/CEO

On behalf of our client, The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP), Decision Associates is actively recruiting for the role of President/CEO. The ERCGP is seeking a President/CEO who will work closely with the staff and Board of Directors to help achieve its mission of promoting economic growth and community development in Erie County and the broader Northwest Pennsylvania region. ERCGP is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving as a catalyst for business expansion, innovation, and regional collaboration.

The ERCGP is seeking an accomplished President/CEO with demonstrated success in strategic execution, operations planning and oversight, financial management, revenue generation and business advocacy. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial well-being of the organization. The President/CEO will provide leadership for the organization by tapping into the expertise of the staff, collaborating with stakeholders, and leveraging the support of member organizations, in achieving its goals. The President/CEO will work collaboratively with the board of directors to first develop the future state of the organization and then create and implement critical initiatives in order to accomplish the established goals. The President/CEO will serve as the principal spokesperson for the organization. This role reports directly to the Board of Directors.

The successful candidate will have a proven track record of providing mature and balanced oversight of an organization, while integrating and soliciting input regularly from internal and external stakeholders.  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Mission and Planning

• Collaboratively envision, plan, and lead efforts to align economic and community development activity in Erie County to increase effectiveness and attract more external funding.
• Reinvent, rebrand, and reposition the ERCGP in accordance with peer community best practices and current initiatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Carry out the mission of ERCGP at the direction of and in conjunction with the Board.
• Lead new economic development initiatives, including research of potential projects that fit with the organization's mission, financial viability, resource development and obtain Board approval to act.
• Maintain an awareness of governmental, management, industry trends, and other relevant developments. This should be attained by structured research, contact with federal/state/local officials and participation in relevant conferences, meetings, and events.
• Manage business development, financial, operational, organizational, and public affairs strategies and goals in accordance with the ERCGP Strategic Plan.
• Coordinate prospective inquiries from new business or industry with key partners to provide current, tailored information to meet operational requirements.
• In collaboration with ERCGP Board and staff, establish well-defined yearly operating priorities to include capital, administrative and legislative priorities. Identify goals and critical success factors to ensure the ERCGP is seen as a regional asset.
• Monitor progress toward and achievement of goals to keep the Board updated on the execution of annual priorities.

Financial Management

• Direct and oversee management of ERCGP’s finances, including revenue and expenses. Identify new sources of revenue and manage expenses to ensure financial stability of the organization.
• Prepare and recommend annual budgets to the Board of Directors.
• Develop key metrics to monitor the financial performance of the ERCGP that can be tracked through a dashboard. 
• Update Board of Directors on the financial performance of the organization. This includes providing accurate monthly income and expense reports.
• Ensure the ERCGP's accounting systems and internal controls are in compliance with the requirements of the applicable audit.
• Develop a financial forecast to support operational and strategic decision making. Use financial analysis to evaluate and create strategic choices and options.
• Apply for available grants and execute grant documents as authorized by the Board of Directors.

Government and Community Relationships

• Manage relationships and communicate with key constituencies, including the Board of Directors, government officials, community leaders, funding sources, media, and employees and other economic and development partners which will stimulate regional cooperation.
• Represent the ERCGP on related committees, panels, community, public and private meetings in response to the projects, mission, goals and objectives of the ERCGP.
• Ensure the ERCGP website is updated and relevant.
• Take necessary steps to inform the business community and the public of ERCGP’s economic development initiatives.
• Serve as ERCGP's primary contact with the media. Prepare news releases and keep media informed on ERCGP activities as required.
• Represent the ERCGP before legislative, public and private groups. Attend meetings pertinent to ERCGP interests.

Team Leadership

• Coach, mentor and guide staff to assist with the succession of the ERCGP. 
• In collaboration with ERCGP Board, review and modify as necessary ERCGP’s staffing and resource allocation to ensure efficiency in the operations.
• Provide vision, motivation and leadership to all ERCGP team toward the achievement of the mission, strategy and goals.
• Select and develop all team members. Responsibilities include placement, motivation, training and required action to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Delegate, review, or evaluate employee performance regularly.
• Prepare, maintain, and implement the ERCGP's Personnel Policy Manual as approved by the Board of Directors.
• Ensure accurate and detailed job descriptions are maintained for all ERCGP positions.

Requirements

• Bachelors' degree in business, technical discipline or related field. Minimum of 10 years in business/operations leadership.
• Comprehensive knowledge of economic principles and practices, social development theories and the role of a Chamber in the community. 
• Skilled in quickly analyzing and resolving complex issues. Understanding membership-based organization’s interests and balance them to achieve ERCGP goals in addressing these challenges, all while adapting rapidly to changes in order to maintain organizational resiliency and reliability.
• Ability to identify and communicate key objectives and tactics in methods that will create and promote positive relationships both internally and externally. 
• Excellent public speaking skills in order to promote the positive work of the ERCGP both internally and externally, improving connectivity and community relationships.
• Capacity to craft a future vision and strategy for the organization by securing stakeholder input, as well as the ability to execute the strategy to achieve the established goals and objectives. 
• Must be a collaborative team player with the ability to partner with others internally and externally to advance the ERCGP.
• Receptive to constructive criticism and feedback.
• High entrepreneurial spirit and passion for serving community needs.
• Self-starter with the ability to work in a fast paced and ever-changing environment.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to present findings and recommendations to the Board.
• Ability to foster a culture of investment and engagement in the organization's mission and generate funding for immediate and long-term goals. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group and manage a diverse range of expectations.

Benefits

The role offers an attractive base salary, incentive, and a full benefits package.

The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership is an equal opportunity employer.