South Shore Chamber of Commerce c/o Waverly Partners
Application
Details
Posted: 25-Oct-24
Location: Rockland, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Categories:
President/CEO
Preferred Education:
4 Year Degree
The South Shore Chamber of Commerce, founded over 100 years ago, has over 1,100 member organizations and serves 25 distinct communities in the South Shore region of Massachusetts. As the 3rd largest chamber in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Chamber’s mission is to create a stronger South Shore through membership, economic growth, advocating for a vibrant business climate, working to help members succeed, and helping these local communities thrive. The commitment to this mission has led the Chamber to achieve multiple years of 5-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a distinction granted to only the top 1% of chambers in the country.
As a 501(c)6 organization, the Chamber focuses on member and business development through programs such as education, relationship building, business development, community engagement and advocacy for the region and members. In addition to the CEO, the Chamber has 7 staff members who, together with key volunteers, develop and offer over 80 meetings, networking, business development and advocacy events each year while operating a $1+MM budget. The South Shore Chamber’s other affiliate entities include the South Shore Economic Development Corporation, formal affiliate and support relationships with local chambers in the communities of Braintree, Hanover, Marshfield, Rockland and Weymouth along with the Hingham Business Council and the South Shore Young Professionals and the South Shore Education Foundation.
Peter Forman has served as the Chamber’s CEO for 20 years and is completing a long-range strategic initiative. As such, he has decided to pass along the Chamber’s next phase to a new CEO. The Chamber’s Board of Directors has therefore launched a search for a new President & CEO to continue to lead the Chamber in the years to come. For more information about the South Shore Chamber and its affiliates, please visit www.southshorechamber.org.
The President & Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) reports to the Chair of a 9-member Executive Committee of a 39-member Board of Directors and supervises 7 staff members. The CEO will also interact with the 25-member Board of Trustees of the South Shore Economic Development Corporation as well as with the Board of the Chamber’s Foundation, once that group is formally appointed. Other important working relationships include: city, town and municipality, county, state and national elected officials and their staffs; owners and executives of member businesses and other companies and organizations with current operations in the South Shore region; executives at other chamber and economic development organizations in the region and other parts of the Commonwealth; education leaders; and members of the media.
This executive provides leadership, direction and management for all aspects of Chamber activities and is responsible for seeing that the strategic initiatives and policies of the Board of Directors are effectively implemented. The CEO serves as a non-voting member of the Board’s Executive Committee and reports directly to the Chair of the Chamber’s Board, communicating on a regular basis. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for maintaining continuity of the Chamber and all affiliate organizations. The President & CEO advises the Board and committees regarding policy, programs, and other key initiatives and serves as the principal advocate and spokesperson for the Chamber in conjunction with the Chair. This executive works closely with a wide range of constituencies in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to build support and coalitions consistent with the Chamber’s overall vision, mission, current goals, and priorities.
The Board is responsible for developing the Chamber’s strategic plan and priorities for the organization, in conjunction with the CEO. The CEO is then responsible for implementing and monitoring the strategic initiatives and policies by developing, implementing, and monitoring operating plans (business, financial, marketing, and operational plans). The CEO is responsible to the Board for the full range of management activities: coordination of the planning efforts, organizational structure and procedures, income and expenditures, maintenance of membership, employment, training and supervision of staff, interpretation of policy, and maintenance of facilities.
Outstanding opportunity for an established executive to lead a well-respected, successful 5-Star chamber of commerce in Massachusetts’ most vibrant regional markets. The new CEO will have the benefit of working with an engaged Board of Directors, experienced staff, and invested community partners who are eager to move the South Shore region forward.
The ideal candidate must have a proven track record of success and may come from a variety of backgrounds such as: currently serving as a top executive within a progressive comparably sized chamber of commerce, or related significant business association, or private sector enterprise, or economic development-focused organization. Alternative experience as another senior-level executive within a large complex organization as noted above will also be considered. At least 5 years of progressively responsible leadership positions is required with demonstrated experience working with the public sector and elected officials. A bachelor’s degree is preferred. However, a combination of education, lived and learned experience will be valued and considered. If a candidate brings experience in the chamber industry, then a graduate of U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management or Certified Chamber Executive designation is desirable.
About South Shore Chamber of Commerce c/o Waverly Partners
WAVERLY PARTNERS is a national retained executive search firm with consultants located in strategic regions across the country. We have been designated as the only "preferred provider" of executive search services by ACCE. WAVERLY PARTNERS is a generalist search firm, serving nationwide clients including chambers of commerce, economic development and other nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Fortune 1000 service and manufacturing corporations, privately held entrepreneurial growth companies, hospitals and healthcare organizations, and professional service firms.