President & CEO

Associations West; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Long-term disability

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce is seeking a visionary, strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization, advance regional priorities and advocate for business across Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, and West Richland.

Reporting to the Board, the CEO will drive sustainable revenue, oversee operations, mentor staff, and unite diverse stakeholders around a shared regional vision while representing the chamber at local, state and national levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in relevant organizations.
• Graduate of IO&M program preferred but not required.
• Experience leading complex organizations with multiple revenue streams.
• Experience in fundraising, sponsorship development, membership growth or business development.
• Strong understanding of public policy, government relations and advocacy.
• Proven ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, public speaking and relationship-building skills.
• Strong financial management and strategic planning experience.
• Experience leading teams and managing organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership: partner with the Board to set and execute the Chamber's strategic vision and long-range goals; position the Chamber as leading regional business organization.
• Advocacy and public affairs: provide executive oversight of the Chamber's public policy program and staff; serve as the lead voice for business at local, regional and state levels.
• Revenue generation and financial stewardship: lead a diversified revenue strategy across membership, sponsorships, events, foundation support and grants; oversee budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Membership and stakeholder engagement: strengthen member recruitment, retention and value; maintain partnerships with economic development, education, workforce, municipal and nonprofit partners.
• Events and programs: oversee signature events, leadership programs, policy forums and recognition programs; drive innovation to meet evolving member needs.
• Organizational leadership: lead, mentor and develop staff; ensure operational excellence, effective governance and strong Board communication.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Advocacy

Public speaking

Relationship-building

Financial management

Education

Bachelor's degree / advanced degree

Institute for Organization Management

Job description

ABOUT THE CHAMBER

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit and 5-Star accredited chamber serving as the voice of business in the Tri-Cities region of Washington State. The Chamber represents approximately 850 member businesses with a professional team of 7, a $1.4 million annual budget and a board of 25-40 directors.

The Chamber is truly regional in scope, serving four cities - Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and West Richland - across two counties, Benton and Franklin. Each jurisdiction brings its own council, priorities and business character, which adds real complexity to programming, member outreach and public policy.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chamber seeks a visionary, strategic and relationship-driven Chief Executive Officer. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, operations, financial performance, advocacy efforts, community engagement and organizational success of the Chamber, and serves as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the business community.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished executive who understands how to build sustainable organizations, generate diverse revenue streams, lead high-performing teams, navigate public policy and unite diverse interests around a common regional vision.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic leadership: partner with the Board to set and execute the Chamber's strategic vision and long-range goals, and position the Chamber as the leading regional business organization.
• Advocacy and public affairs: provide executive oversight of the Chamber's public policy program and its staff, while serving as the lead voice for business at the local, regional and state levels.
• Revenue generation and financial stewardship: lead a diversified revenue strategy across membership, sponsorships, events, foundation support and grants; oversee budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Membership and stakeholder engagement: strengthen member recruitment, retention and value, and maintain partnerships with economic development, education, workforce, municipal and nonprofit partners.
• Events and programs: oversee signature events, leadership programs, policy forums and recognition programs, and drive innovation to meet evolving member needs.
• Organizational leadership: lead, mentor and develop staff; ensure operational excellence, effective governance and strong Board communication.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a chamber of commerce, business association, economic development organization, nonprofit, government agency, private-sector company or related organization.
• Graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management preferred, but not required.
• Demonstrated success leading complex organizations with multiple revenue streams.
• Experience in fundraising, sponsorship development, membership growth or business development.
• Strong understanding of public policy, government relations and advocacy.
• Proven ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, public speaking and relationship-building skills.
• Strong financial management and strategic planning experience.
• Experience leading teams and managing organizational change.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES

• A relationship builder who earns trust quickly.
• A regional thinker who values collaboration over competition.
• A visible community leader comfortable serving as the face of the organization.
• A strategic, entrepreneurial executive who understands both mission and margin.
• A skilled advocate capable of navigating complex policy discussions.
• A consensus builder who can unite business, government, education and community leaders around shared goals.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Competitive salary plus bonus in the range of $150,000 - $190,000, based on the candidate's level of professional experience, with a benefits package including paid holidays, paid time off, medical and dental insurance, long-term disability, life insurance and a retirement plan. The chosen candidate is expected to live within either Benton or Franklin County once employed.

Chamber Concepts has been retained by the Tri-City Regional Chamber Board of Directors in their nationwide search for a new President & CEO. More information: chamberconcepts.com and tricityregionalchamber.com.