COMPANY BACKGROUND/CULTURE
The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce (LVCC) is the largest business organization in the state of Nevada with approximately 6,000 members. The Chamber is committed to building a strong local and state economy and strengthening, enhancing, and protecting business. It does this by providing a broad array of valuable services including: legislative advocacy and political action; networking; community involvement; information access; discounts and benefits; and high profile events and programs.

Among its objectives are the following:

• Creating an environment that promotes business, thereby strengthening the community.
• Driving public policy on behalf of the business community.
• Achieving high levels of member satisfaction and loyalty.
• Continually improving the Chamber's financial position.
• Operating the Chamber with the excellence, innovation and efficiency in accordance with its values. Among these core values are the following: Being member focused; excellence; integrity; innovation; teamwork; leadership; and diversity.

With the leadership of the Government Affairs Committee, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is actively engaged in a number of key policy issues at the local, state and federal level. The Chamber also administers a Political Action Committee fund (BizPAC), an essential fundraising mechanism to aid in the advancement of the Chamber’s political agenda. The Nevada legislature convenes in alternating years for 120 days, with the next session in 2011. Among the priority issues are:

• Fiscal Responsibility
• Public Employees Pension/Benefit Reform
• Business Taxes and Fees
• Labor
• Employee Free Choice Act
• Transportation
• Education
• Energy
• Health Care
• Immigration
• Land Use
• Yucca Mountain

The Chamber is led by a 29-member volunteer Board of Trustees which is committed to advancing the mission of the organization. Its operations are staffed by more than 45 professionals with an annual budget of nearly $6 million.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The President & CEO must be a dynamic, passionate, and strategic leader who can lead the future vitality, relevance, and impact of the Chamber. S/he will be a visionary with responsibilities for the overall leadership and management of this organization and will be accountable for the effective and efficient operation of the organization including financial management. The President will have a strong external focus, serving as a key spokesperson and an advocate for the business community and will be able to successfully operate at very high levels of influence with key government, legislative and business leaders. S/he will serve as a community leader and ambassador for the region in advocating for business in Las Vegas and the State of Nevada and will collaborate closely with other business organizations with the goal of improving the business climate across the State. S/he will be charged with working closely with the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees to focus the Chamber's priorities and balance the needs of its members, including businesses that are large and small, new and established, traditional and non-traditional in current and future economies of the region.

Specifically, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Strategic Direction. In conjunction with the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees, refines and implements the long-range strategic plan for the Chamber. Facilitates the development and successful implementation of the organization’s vision, as well as strategic and operational plans.
• Board and Executive Committee Relations. Builds and maintains strong relationships and open communications with the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees. Maximizes and leverages strong Board relationships and engages Board members. Collaborates and provides counsel to the Board and committees regarding public policy, programs, and other key initiatives. Maintains regular communications with the Chairman and Executive Committee members. Plans and organizes Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meetings on a regular basis.
• Membership Growth and Development. Provides leadership in membership to ensure there is a compelling value proposition that attracts and retains members. Personally engages in membership development.
• Advocacy/Public Policy. In conjunction with the Government Affairs Committee and the Executive Committee and Board, identifies priority public policy issues and positions and leads in shaping and advancing the Chamber’s legislative and political agenda. Ensures strong, effective representation before government bodies to achieve desired outcomes. Collaborates successfully with other organizations in advocating a pro-business agenda.
• Community Leadership. Serves as a community leader, a visionary, and alliance builder to ensure a vibrant economic environment and high quality of life for both employers and their employees from companies and organizations of all sizes.
• Spokesperson. In conjunction with the Chamber’s Chairman, serves as a principal spokesperson for the Chamber in all venues, with a goal to enhance the overall brand and image of the business community in the State. Communicates the members’ position on key issues and is inclusive of member companies of all sizes in doing so. Demonstrates the many successes achieved by the Chamber to external audiences.
• External Relationships. Works closely with a wide-range of constituencies across the State, in both the public and private sector, to build and support coalitions consistent with the Chamber’s overall mission and priorities. Assures that the business community is represented on committees and organizations that are critical to the region and the Chamber.
• Administration. Attracts, develops, and retains a strong staff; develops future leaders for the Chamber; manages a highly effective and efficient organization as measured by achievement of priority goals, membership satisfaction and growth, revenue generation to support priorities, and quality programs and initiatives. Develops and effectively manages annual budgets that are aligned to the strategic goals of the Chamber. Ensures financial soundness, transparency and a balanced budget annually.

YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
In the first year, the President will collaborate with the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees to effectively:

• Ensure a smooth leadership transition;
• Facilitate creation of a future vision with achievable objectives;
• Advance the public policy priorities in the 2011 legislative;
• Advocate a pro-business agenda on behalf of its members;
• Stimulate membership retention, growth, development and engagement; instill confidence among membership in the new leadership of the Chamber;
• Operate the Chamber in a fiscally responsible and transparent manner achieving budget goals;
• Create at least one new, innovative program to enhance revenues; and
• Lead, engage, and motivate the Chamber staff.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS
Ideal candidates will have a unique combination of personal and professional qualities, including:

• 10+ years experience as a successful business leader with business acumen and the proven ability to manage budgets in excess of $5 million and staff of 25+.
• Board management experience.
• Ability to think strategically while considering new perspectives; possesses strong mental agility.
• Strong political savvy; a diplomat.
• A successful track record for engaging, partnering and building alliances with a wide range of constituencies and influencers that includes business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, elected officials and the media; strong relationship building skills.
• A track record as a proactive advocate for an organization; working knowledge of legislative and political process and environments
• Economic development experience is a strong plus.
• The ability to align diverse interest groups on issues and opportunities that will benefit the overall business community; a consensus builder with a personal style that engenders confidence.
• A stellar communicator, both oral and written.
• A motivator and advocate with genuine interest and passion for business issues and opportunities within Nevada.
• Proven experience recruiting, developing, motivatingand retaining a strong, diverse staff in a team-oriented environment; an effective delegator.

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS
Making Complex Decisions

• Can solve even the toughest and most complex of problems; great at gleaning meaning from whatever data is available; is a quick study of the new and different; adds personal wisdom and experience to arrive at the best conclusion and solution, given the situation; uses multiple problem-solving tools and techniques.

Creating the New and Different

• Is able to come up with the next great breakthrough thing to do; is creative, a visionary, and can manage innovation; is an effective strategist full of ideas and possibilities; sees multiple futures; has broad interests and knowledge; can both create and bring exciting ideas to market; comfortable speculating about alternative futures without all of the data.

Getting Work Done Through Others

• Manages people well; gets the most and best out of the people he/she has; sets and communicates guiding goals; measures accomplishments, holds people accountable, and gives useful feedback; delegates and develops; keeps people informed; provides coaching for today and for the future.

Dealing with Trouble

• Fearlessly takes on all issues, challenges, and people; comfortably confronts and works through conflict; delivers negative feedback and messages without hesitation; deals promptly and fairly with problem performers; lets everyone know where they stand; thrives in crises and is energized by tough challenges; not afraid to make negative decisions and take tough action; challenges the status quo.

Managing Diverse Relationships

• Relates well to a wide variety of diverse styles, types, and classes; open to differences; effective up, down, sideways, inside, and outside; builds diverse networks; quick to find common ground; treats differences fairly and equitably; treats everyone as a preferred customer.

Inspiring Others

• Is skilled at getting individuals, teams, and an entire organization to perform at a higher level and to embrace change; negotiates skillfully to achieve a fair outcome or promote a common cause; communicates a compelling vision and is committed to what needs to be done; inspires others; builds motivated, high-performing teams; understands what motivates different people.

Acting with Honor and Character

• Is a person of high character; is consistent and acts in line with a clear and visible set of values and beliefs; deals and talks straight; walks his/her talk; is direct and truthful but at the same time can keep confidences.

EDUCATION
An undergraduate degree is required. An advanced degree is a plus.

COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be made available to the qualified candidate

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Korn/Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis. Korn/Ferry shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the performance of duties pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state and local anti-discrimination laws to the extent applicable.