The New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, based in Wilmington, Delaware, is seeking a dynamic leader to become its next President. The Chamber’s mission is to accelerate business growth by creating business development opportunities for its members, leading impactful economic development initiatives, and advocating for a strong and stable economic climate at the Local, County and State levels.

Primary Duty: The President & CEO is ultimately responsible for all operations of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and the Emerging Enterprise Center (ECC). Primary duties include effectively collaborating and communicating with the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and community stakeholders, leading the Chamber team, increasingly growing the membership year-over-year, and overseeing the operation of a small business incubator, and organization’s strategic plan. As the organization’s leader, The President & CEO fosters a positive, and collaborative work environment that inspires employees to actively work toward shared goals. As a community thought-leader, the President & CEO works to unite stakeholders, providing vision and direction that moves New Castle County towards economic growth and prosperity for all.

Status: At-will employee, full-time, exempt

Supervision & Reporting Structure: The Presidentof the Chamber reports to the Chair of the 23-member Board of Directors and the Board’s 6-member Executive Committee. The President also serves as: President of the Chamber’s 501c3 affiliate, The Emerging Enterprise Center (a business incubator housed at the Chamber’s facility), President of the Chamber’s for-profit affiliate, Benefits Connection, Inc. (which markets insurance products to businesses); and Chair of the Chamber’s Political Action Committee.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Acting as the public face of the organization, the President & CEO is responsible for the Chamber public image, which includes communicating the purpose and message(s) of each division of the organization to the public.
2. Builds and maintains strong relationships and an open dialogue with the
   Chairman of the Board, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors.
3. Partners closely with the New Castle County and the State of Delaware governments, and other stakeholders to create a shared vision for marketing the community while ensuring responsiveness to their needs and respect for differing views.
4. Fosters an organizational culture of mutual respect, creativity, and shared decision-making.
5. Oversees the organization’s finances and management of resources, including by planning the budget, allocating resources towards strategic initiatives, and overseeing expenditures.
6. Performs other duties as required by the board and success of the organization.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of executive level experience at a scale that demonstrates the ability to effectively manage an organization with over 10 employees, and 900 member businesses. Previous experience working with multiple stakeholder groups, especially including local political officials, and experience in advocating, is preferred.

Required Education and Certifications:

 The position requires a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, political science, or a related field. Equivalent experience, education, and training may be considered as a degree substitute. An advanced degree in a related field is preferred, but not required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics:

1. High standards of personal character, including the ability to lead with confidence, humility, transparency, and integrity.

2. Familiarity with the Delaware business and legislative community is a great recipe for success in this role. 

4. Ability to collaborate and resolve conflict between various governmental organizations and businesses to create a shared vision for the economic growth of the community and the prosperity of its residents.

5. Understanding of legislative affairs and economic development.

6. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to persuade, challenge, and inspire.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay range: Negotiable.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Stipend for local travels

Please send cover letter and resume to wilmington@pridestaff.com.