ABC - GREATER HOUSTON CHAPTER OFFICE

Position Title:	President & CEO
Location:	Houston, Texas
Salary Range:	$150-$175K

 

TO APPLY: send resume to [email protected]. 

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade association with more than 23,000 members based on the principles of merit shop construction and free enterprise. ABC Greater Houston is consistently recognized as one of the top ABC chapters and represents over 450 members including commercial and industrial general contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, and associates. Houston, Texas is one of the most diverse and fastest-growing cities in the United States and the ABC Greater Houston chapter reflects the community in both diversity and growth.  Houston is home to the world’s largest medical center, NASA, amazing museums, and theaters, and is also considered the energy capital of the world.  ABC members make the growth in Houston possible by building the infrastructure, buildings, manufacturing facilities, schools, churches, hospitals, etc. that make this city so strong.

Basic Function:

The President will help lead ABC Greater Houston to be the most powerful pro‐business, pro‐free enterprise advocate for the construction industry, and lead the association to consistently deliver value to its members and the construction industry.

Position Summary:

Provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure that the mission, goals, and objectives of the Chapter are achieved in an efficient and cost-effective manner.  Develop and implement the strategic plan in partnership with the board of directors.  Provides hands-on leadership of all areas of the Chapter including governance, staff, membership, association, and finances. As the spokesperson and face of the Chapter he/she will be an executive who will tell the merit shop industry's story in a credible and passionate way that enhances the business climate and adds value to ABC's members.

Critical Competencies for Success

• Strategic Visionary: The President will be an executive who will tell the merit shop industry's story in a credible and passionate way that enhances the business climate and adds value to ABC's members. The President will be experienced in anticipating issues and building consensus around policy positions and be an active listener who cultivates and leverages a network of relationships to advance the industry's agenda. The President will work with the Board of Directors to balance long‐term strategic thinking with short‐term goals. The President will work collaboratively with the national association leadership in the alignment of strategy with the ABC Association Wide Strategic Plan.
• Leadership and Management: The President will work with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors to ensure the association's continued operational strength. The President will demonstrate a transparent and inclusive style, build consensus around key issues and initiatives, and promote a culture of passion and urgency among the staff.
• The President reports to the ABC Greater Houston Board of Directors.

Membership

• Is responsible for membership growth and retention by providing value and enhanced services to the Chapter. 
• Uses various mediums to communicate and drive the value proposition to membership.
• Reaches out to make and cultivate relationships with membership to improve member satisfaction. Proposes, coordinates, and presents high-quality and relevant content to membership at events and activities to cultivate member competencies. Research legislation, data and trends in the industry and interprets implication to members. Recommends best practices.
• Assists with the structure, design, scope, and administration of membership surveys. Analyzes responses and formulates and communicates findings.
• Develops and promotes services for members to insure membership growth, as well as member retention.
• To the extent possible, get to know members and visit members making them aware that the Chapter is available to assist them.
• Involvement in Membership recruitment and retention programs.
• Promotes all aspects of member involvement. Effectively communicate with membership, whether by email, social media and newsletter keeping members informed of Chapter developments, including but not limited to, educational opportunities, social events, public relations, and legislative activities.
• Develops and promotes programs to assist members in workforce development and health and safety.

Chapter Governance

• Plays the lead role in the implementation of the Chapter’s strategic plan. Monitors progress of objectives delegated to key staff to ensure completion.
• Engages and communicates regularly with the Board of Directors to keep them apprised of progress towards established goals. Provides the board with sufficient internal, economic, legislative & industry updates to enable them to make sound decisions for the Chapter.
• Attends regular and executive board meetings as a matter of business and special meetings as required.
• Researches, proposes, and implements changes to policies, by-laws, and programs approved by the Board of Directors that will improve the financial or value position of the Chapter.
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with Chapter Officers, Chapter Counsel, committees, task forces, trusts, and all key partners & stakeholders.

Internal Relations

• Works in conjunction with the Treasurer and respective Budget & Finance Committee in order to develop annual budgets that reinforce the mission and are financially stable. Collaborates with the Treasurer to assess and improve the financial status of the Association. With the Treasurer, authorizes all invoices, financial statements, and expenses.  Reviews and authorizes contracts as approved in the budget or as an ad hoc expenditure approved by the Executive Board. 
• Champions an exceptional member service culture by providing staff with the training, technology, equipment, facilities, and support to provide cooperative and efficient solutions to members. Proposes recommendations for improvement or purchase to the Board and implements as appropriate.
• Works with staff and volunteer committees to develop programs for our strategic initiatives in workforce development, health and safety, and political advocacy.
• Authorizes all invoices, financial statements, and expenses.  Reviews and authorizes contracts as approved in the budget or as an ad hoc expenditure approved by the Executive Board. 
• Is responsible for managing any accounting staff as well as working with the contracted CPA firms regarding regular financial bookkeeping and oversight of accounting practices, reconciliations and annual review / audit.
• Manages the maintenance of all necessary record keeping activities & requirements, including all monthly reporting and tax requirement filings.

External Relations

• Networks with and/or participates in other industry associations, commissions, professional networks, governmental agencies, legislative bodies, etc. to monitor economic, government, industry, and public and private sector activities. Maintains contact with personnel to educate and garner support for industry initiatives impacting Chapter and its members.
• Takes a lead role in Construction industry advocacy issues.
• Strategically involved in political campaigns, ABC PAC, and organizational fundraising.
• As a merit shop advocate, has a solid understanding of the area’s current construction industry environment.
• Collaborates with other ABC chapters, ABC of Texas, and ABC National.

Administration

• Manages the Chapter according to the by-laws, Chapter policies, applicable law, and best practices.
• Leads the entire human resource function. Recruits, hires, trains, engages, promotes, coaches, evaluates performance, develops, and terminates staff in accordance with Chapter policies and all federal and state labor laws.   Evaluates current competencies and performance measures and compensation to develop an effective team. Is responsible for overseeing and budgeting for all compensation and benefits.
• Administers office procedures and employee evaluations.
• Responsible for developing the staff and providing training to the staff to reach their full potential.
• Financial Management including timely monthly reports to the board.
• Assures payment of dues and submission of reports to ABC National at appointed time. 
• Budget preparation and monitoring, including development and implementation of Non- Dues Income.
• Monitors all committee activity through staff reports, constant communications with liaisons and periodic attendance at committee meetings.
• Maintains personnel and board policy manuals.
• Provide quarterly progress reports with reference to the strategic plan and 5-year vision.
• Consults and advises in the selection of Board Members, committee chairpersons, and committee members.
• Maintain Building and Property.

General

• Participates in all National ABC functions, national board meetings, conventions, leadership conferences, legislative conferences, President conferences and all other activities on a national level in maintaining the stature of the ABC Greater Houston Chapter
• The President will possess a professional background characterized by integrity, initiative, leadership, organizational skills, coalition building and public involvement. Knowledge of the construction industry, the Merit Shop philosophy and political process desired. This position reports to and works for the Board.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Passion for free enterprise system and the merit shop philosophy
• Innovative, visionary, and critical thinker with proven ability to manage day-to-day operations
• An inspiring and inclusive leadership style with experience in effectively developing teams
• Possess a thorough understanding of nonprofit accounting, including development of budgets and review of financial statements
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills essential
• A credible, confident, genuine, humble, positive yet persuasive professional
• Excellent professional writing skills
• Strong project management, detail, and organizational skill.
• Preferred familiarity with OSHA legislation and requirements

Environmental Conditions

• A normal office environment without exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise or chemicals or hazardous equipment.
• Regular travel to chapter members and for chapter functions.
• Quarterly national travel for association and industry functions.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree, experience in nonprofit management, or related field equivalent and 7-10 years experience in association management.  
• Passion for the free enterprise system and merit shop philosophy.
• At least 10 years of leadership, management, and decision‐making Experience with direct accountability for results at the executive level, with a budget and staff of comparable size and complexity to that of ABC.
• Experience building consensus among diverse groups and volunteer leaders with varied and competing interests.
• Experience in engaging, delegating & motivating both staff and volunteers in the execution & implementation of association plans, activities, events.
• Experience serving as a politically savvy face and voice of an industry or group at the state or national level; a skilled and strategic spokesperson and advocate on public policy issues and with the media.
• While experience in the construction industry is not a requirement, knowledge of, or the ability to quickly become substantively credible on, the construction industry and the issues affecting it is important.