Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

FBFM; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) seeks a CEO to provide visionary leadership, strategic direction, and a unifying voice for a growing agri-business organization. Based at the Urbana campus, the CEO will report to the Board and oversee a broad team, budget, and compliance across Illinois.

The role requires experience with boards, governance, and building high-performing staff, while advancing FBFM’s mission and impact for farmers and agricultural businesses.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of leadership experience driving organizational achievement.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience leading organizational strategy, growth, and governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for Illinois FBFM.
• Develop and execute strategic plans with the Board and management.
• Oversee budget, operations, and compliance with regulations.
• Develop staff, recruit and mentor leadership, and ensure performance.
• Build partnerships and expand services to members across Illinois.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Financial analysis

Communication

Board experience

Staff development

Collaboration

Public speaking

Education

Degree in Ag Business

Accounting/Finance knowledge

Job description

FBFM Announces Leadership Opportunity

Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) seeks a visionary agri-business leader skilled in driving organizational success and empowering high performing staff. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be based at the organization’s offices on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana, IL and have overall management responsibility for a growing impactful organization with an $18 million annual budget, 37 locations, and 175 employees across Illinois.

Combining inspirational leadership and sophisticated management abilities, they will advance the organization in terms of culture, capability, processes, and impact. While working closely with the organization’s executive team, the CEO will encourage innovation and ensure that the organization is continually well equipped to advance its mission as FBFM has done for 100 years.

FBFM’s vision is to be recognized as the leading resource for financial and business consulting services to farmers and agricultural industries. Our Farm Business Consultants work with farm families to provide knowledge and education on important topics, such as accounting, financial analysis, business planning, payroll, in addition to tax planning and preparation. The Farm Business Consultant’s mission is to support Illinois farmers in their short- and long-term business success as a trusted advisor.

Position Purpose:

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is expected to provide leadership, strategic direction, and vision to the activities of Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) Association. The overall objective is to work effectively with the board of directors and staff to provide exceptional value to our members. This full-time administrative position serves as the principal representative for the Illinois FBFM organization. The CEO reports directly to the Illinois FBFM Board of Directors.

Duties:

Strategic Leadership

• Provides visionary leadership that addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with Illinois FBFM, their members, staff, partners, and other stakeholders while driving a culture of achievement.
• Works with the Board of Directors and management to develop strategic business plans, execute their delivery, and be accountable for positive outcomes.

Operations and Control Systems

• Provide advice and counsel to the Board and is accountable for executing the Board’s policies, effective operations that deliver upon the strategic plan, and maintain a strong record of compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• In cooperation with the Board, establish a leadership team that performs the necessary functions of FBFM under proper controls and standards.
• Present the annual budget for Board approval and report on progress throughout the year.
• Provide robust and effective staff professional development opportunities.

Business Development

• Identify the needs of members, partners and stakeholders for products and services. Explore opportunities to improve the quality and quantity of FBFM services while promoting excellence.
• Create and facilitate marketing, development, and partnership opportunities to expand the footprint of FBFM to more members.

Management

• Hire, evaluate, and provide professional development opportunities for the management team. Work with the management team to establish policies, procedures and training for staff development and assessment.
• Provide necessary financial and performance reports to the Board.
• Determine and deliver competitive compensation and benefit plans with appropriate work requirements for staff.

Relationships

• Develop a network of internal and external relationships that will add value to the Illinois FBFM organization as the principal representative of FBFM.
• Build a culture of trust, performance, and transparency with the board, staff, cooperators, and the leadership team.

Required Qualifications and Educational Requirements:

• Degree(s) in Ag Business, Ag Education, Accounting, Business, Finance or a related field.
• Agriculture/Farming background or a working knowledge of farm operations, the ag industry, and accounting/finance principles.
• Five years of demonstrated success in leadership experience in an organization driving a positive culture of achievement.
• Significant competence/experience (5-10 years) in organizational financial analysis.
• Strong business acumen, critical thinker, lifelong learner, and a history of visionary leadership at the executive level.
• Proven experience executing organization strategy and growth while leading a similar or larger size organization successfully.
• Proven experience working with and leading a Board of Directors and motivating people with various perspectives.
• Familiarity with diverse business functions such as Cybersecurity, Marketing, Public Relations, and Human Resources.
• Experience and success in motivating, recruiting, developing, retaining, and mentoring high performance, mission-driven, and results-oriented teams.
• Excellent written, oral, and public speaking skills; a persuasive, passionate, clear, and confident communicator with strong interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Ability to identify technology needs, benefits, costs to improve organization and staff performance.
• Demonstrated character of honesty, accountability, transparency, and service.
• Proven effective leadership of teams (5-10 years).
• Demonstrated desire/ability to build collaborative relationships.
• The position requires regular travel across Illinois and occasional travel beyond the state.