WBIA Executive Director
The Executive Director is employed by the Board of Directors (Board)of the Westbank Business & Industry Association (WBIA) and is responsible for effectively leading the organization such that it successfully achieves its mission of service to members. Specific areas of responsibility include support of positive member relations; executive support to the Board of Directors of the organization; community connecting / liaison activities; and active participation and leadership in local, regional, state and, if appropriate, national levels on advocacy activities relating to business policy, legislation, and regulation per the Board’s requests. This position reports to the WBIA Board of Directors. The general responsibilities are to direct activities of WBIA to promote business, industry, job development, and civic improvement in the community by performing the following duties personally or through board members.
Essential job functions include, but are not limited to:
- Act as the public face and leader of WBIA, ensuring the organization’s growth, impact, and sustainability.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and state leaders, and represent WBIA at key community events, government meetings, and business roundtables to advance the organization's mission.
- Develop and implement strategies to grow WBIA’s membership base and enhance the organization’s influence in the business community.
- Works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, providing strategic advice and leadership while ensuring that the board is fully informed and supported in decision-making processes.
- Manage daily operations of the office calendar and business including phone and emails.
- Implement and adhere to the budget and financial duties. Maintain accounts payable, reconciliation of operating and special events accounts.
- Promote WBIA activities, seminars, programs and services through emails, social media, and presentations at luncheons.
- Coordinate WBIA Board Meetings, i.e. venues, agenda, attendance, minutes, and General Member luncheons venues, agenda, speaker bio, presentation updates, name tags, reserved tables, etc.
- Serve as liaison with the following committees: Government & Environment, Infrastructure, Membership, Special Events, Workforce, and Legacy. This includes attending meetings, coordinating activities, reporting updates to the board.
- Coordinate Education/Workforce Partnership Programs with local Board of Education, Workforce Development Board and businesses. Publish and collect WBIA scholarship applications, evaluate with Workforce Committee Chair, and award.
- Work closely with the current President of WBIA .
- Assist with WEL Program with Membership Chair.
- Create weekly eNews {and publications for Communique’} providing articles and pictures for membership activities.
- Maintain positive relationships with the region and with state/local Officials by attending community events, council meetings, business meetings, roundtables, etc.
Qualifications:
- It is required that, at minimum, the Executive Director will have a professional discipline relevant to providing executive leadership for an organization of this type from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience.
- It is required that, at minimum, the Executive Director have 20 + years of experience in a business-related field or other leadership position.
- It is required that the Executive Director maintain a high level of professionalism and represent the organization positively in all interactions with members and the broader community
Skills:
- Ability to develop long-term strategic plans that ensure the growth and sustainability of WBIA.
- Executive director has excellent professional communication skills, including written and oral communications skills, strong listening skills, and the ability to make presentations to groups.
- Executive Director has strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan, organize, and set long-term strategy with an appropriate work plan to accomplish it.
- Executive Director be able to work collaboratively and positively with others of diverse backgrounds, opinions, and needs.
- Executive Director be able to independently identify and resolve problems or make recommendations to the Board of Directors about resolution options.
- The Executive Director must be able to apply sound problem-solving skills and make decisions that reflect the best interests of the organization.
- It is required that the Executive Director be computer literate and able to use software functions such as email, word processing and spreadsheets, and power point programs. QuickBooks is a plus.
Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- The Executive Director keeps a finger on the pulse of the organization’s members to ensure positive member relations. Ensures that services provided to members meet their needs. Is open to a review of member services at least annually to evolve the organization and remain current in terms of best practices in the field of WBIA membership services. Works diligently to anticipate and resolve legitimate member problems or issues.
- Develop meaningful connections with local and regional business leaders, elected officials, and key community influencers to drive advocacy efforts and increase the visibility of WBIA.
- Actively pursue new member recruitment, ensure high retention rates, and look for opportunities to expand WBIA’s footprint through strategic partnerships and outreach efforts.
- Regularly arranges board meetings, member luncheons, special events and networking opportunities for member businesses, as appropriate.
- Works diligently to retain members and to grow the membership base.
- Promotes and demonstrates commitment to the organization’s mission, vision, values and program of work.
- Functions well as both a team member and a team leader and uses appropriate influence to inspire and guide individuals toward organizational goal achievement. The ability to actively listen to the content and process of communications by individual members and within and between the board, the ability to facilitate meetings, and the ability to organize all logistics for WBIA meetings and special events.
Physical Demand of the Job:
- The Executive Director must be able to spend the majority of his/her day walking, sitting, standing and/or driving. There are events which will require lifting and transporting supplies as needed.
- The Executive Director may be regularly required to travel to off-site locations that may not be barrier-free.
- The Executive Director must be able to type on a computer keyboard and operate other office equipment.
- The Executive Director must be able to effectively communicate with others both verbally and in writing.
- The Executive Director must be able to work well under stress and meet deadlines.
While performing the duties of this job, the Executive Director will primarily work in an office-based setting with little temperature variance and minimal to moderate noise. There may be periods of high stress related to the responsibilities associated with the position due to deadlines.
Salary: $45,000-$55,000 dependent upon experience
Hours: 20-30 hours per week
Please send resume and cover letter to: christy@wbianola.com