The local LGBT chamber of commerce recently opened the search for its first executive director.
Independence Business Alliance is accepting applications through Aug. 28 for the newly created position.
IBA board president Rich Horrow said the new role was the next natural step for the agency, which was founded in 2007.
“The leadership of the IBA has been discussing the creation of this position over the past year,” Horrow said. “Given the organization’s vision, recent growth and plans for the future, we evaluated our current staffing needs and felt that the timing was right to create the executive-director position to lead the organization through the next phase of our growth.”
That direction includes continued organizational expansion as well as enhanced outreach.
“I think the new ED has the potential to accelerate our growth by providing leadership and vision within the organization and in the business community as well as enabling the IBA to continue to develop and expand our programming and membership outreach,” Horrow said.
The director will report to the president and board of directors and is responsible for the “successful leadership, management and administration of the organization,” according to the job description. Duties include growing IBA membership and corporate relations, working with the treasurer to develop the organization’s budget, working with the board on a strategic plan, overseeing human resources and utilizing marketing and communications tools to enhance the IBA’s visibility, among other responsibilities.
The ideal candidate has a master’s degree, although a bachelor’s degree is required; at least three years in business operations and/or nonprofit management and at least three years in demonstrated leadership positions; organizational, leadership, relationship-building and communication skills; and technology skills that include proficiency with Microsoft Office and Quickbooks.
Horrow said the board is primarily focusing on local candidates with familiarity with the LGBT community.
“Because we are a chamber of commerce, the ideal candidate will have some knowledge of the regional business community and our dynamic LGBT community,” he said. “We really value the relationships we have with our members, corporate partners and community partners, so having a candidate with the ability to step in and continue to grow these relationships would be preferable.”
The hiring process is a “very robust and organized” one, Horrow said. The board organized a search committee comprised of IBA board members, general IBA members and leaders from the organization’s community partners who have been meeting since early June to craft the application materials and conduct outreach.
He expects the final hire to be made by the end of September.
“It’s really important to the IBA that this search be conducted fairly and in a transparent manner, while maintaining our commitment to diversity,” Horrow said.
“This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time so we’re taking a leap,” he added. “We’re very, very excited to see where this process leads us.”
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé and statement of no more than 250 words responding to the question, “Why are LGBT chambers of commerce needed today and how would you seek to grow a chamber as an executive director?” to [email protected]. Applications can also be mailed to Horrow’s attention at The Philadelphia Building, 1315 Walnut St., Suite 1132, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107.
To view the full job description, visit https://www.thinkiba.com/iba-in-search-of-candidates-to-fill-new-executive-director-position/.