Alaska Chamber seeks new President and CEO

Anchorage, Alaska — The Alaska Chamber is looking for a new President and CEO. This is a critical leadership position for the Chamber. It is an outstanding, highly visible opportunity to provide leadership and advocacy on behalf of the business interests of Chamber members.

The President and CEO serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization and is responsible for the development and implementation of plans to accomplish the priorities of the Chamber as defined by the Board of Directors and Chamber members. The principal role is to advocate on behalf of the members, for the organization, to ensure that the concerns of Alaska’s businesses are known and properly considered in the creation and implementation of State and Federal laws and regulations. The position is also responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing programs that will benefit Chamber members. The position reports to the Board of Directors through the Executive Committee of the Board.

The Chamber is a non-profit, membership funded advocacy organization founded in 1953. The Chamber membership is comprised of companies, associations, and individuals from every business sector in Alaska. The Chamber’s core mission is to make Alaska the best place to do business through its advocacy for and defense of sound business policies based on the principles of free enterprise, personal responsibility and limited government.

Essential Functions

Leadership

• Lead the Chamber in a philosophy that is well understood, widely supported, consistently applied and effectively implemented.
• Accept, communicate, and promote the Chamber’s mission, underlying principles and goals.
• Encourage Board, staff, member and program development.
• Lead efforts to develop and manage coalitions involving other business associations and advocacy groups to achieve Chamber goals.

Chief Advocate

• Work with members, committees, and the Board of Directors to guide the development of Chamber policy on issues confronting business at the state and national levels.
• Coordinate and guide the work of staff, lobbyists, retained counsel, committees and volunteers in marshaling and expressing the Chamber’s business perspective on public policy issues.
• Study legislation, taxation, and other matters to determine effect on business interests, and make proactive recommendations based on advocacy platform and the principles of free enterprise, personal responsibility and limited government.

Communications

• Serve as the chief spokesman for the Alaska Chamber. Use written and spoken communications clearly and persuasively to present the story of the Chamber and its members.
• Encourage and listen to the viewpoints of others, ask questions.
• Stimulate business and economic goals of the Alaska Chamber by writing and giving speeches.
• Represent the Chamber at public, social, and business events, and before governmental agencies.

Chief Finance Officer

• Ensure financial integrity of the Chamber.
• Prepare annual budget for approval.
• Supervise Chamber income and expenditures.
• Responsible for assuring adequate income while anticipating and adjusting as necessary to conduct Chamber business successfully.
• Serve as the primary fundraiser for the Chamber securing financing in-kind sponsorships for events, underwriting, and special projects.

Chief Administrative Officer

• Responsible for staff recruitment and performance.
• Manage Chamber staff in accord with all applicable laws.
• Establish, maintain, and update employee policies and procedures as necessary.
• Responsible for mentoring, directing, and overseeing all Chamber team members.
• Conduct regular reviews for each team member with a focus on achieving Chamber goals and advancing professional goals of team member.

Desired Experience and Qualifications

• College degree or equivalent experience, legislative or governmental affairs expertise, chamber, association and /or business management experience and training.
• Extensive knowledge and experience with local, state, and federal government operations and legislative process.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse Board, staff, committees, elected and appointed officials, and the media.
• Analytical, written, oral, presentation and computer skills are required.

Application Deadline and Submission Instructions
Individuals interested in being considered for this position should email the following to jobs@alaskachamber.com by February 22, 2019:

• A cover letter addressed to: Cory Baggen, Alaska Chamber Chair
• Resume
• References: three (3) personal and three (3) professional with contact information
• Two (2) to three (3) writing samples

The Alaska Chamber is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 
About the Alaska Chamber
The Alaska Chamber is a non-profit founded in 1953 working to promote a positive business environment in Alaska. The Chamber is the voice of small and large business representing more than 800 businesses, manufacturers, and local chambers from across Alaska. Our member companies employ over 100,000 hard-working Alaskans. The Chamber supports and encourages a positive investment climate that provides certainty and stability for Alaska. View a list of our current priorities and positions at alaskachamber.com/priorities-and-positions.