Job Description

Summary

La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking a strategic and collaborative Chief Executive Officer to champion local business, drive economic and community development, and serve as a business advocate for the Greater La Crosse Area. This high-impact role will be responsible for leading the organization, building strong partnerships, and shaping La Crosse’s business landscape.

Strategic Leadership

• Deliver visionary and forward-thinking leadership that establishes the Chamber as a key catalyst for regional economic growth and business innovation.
• Develop and implement strategies to build leadership capacity across all levels of the organization.
• Proactively seek out and apply industry trends and best practices to drive innovation and organizational excellence.
• Lead initiatives that align with and advance the organization’s mission, balancing a strategic, big-picture perspective with effective oversight of daily operations.
• Oversee marketing strategies that directly meet sales goals for the organization and indirectly enhance the Chamber’s brand.

Financial Leadership & Sustainability

• Implement cost controls and identify areas for strategic savings and revenue enhancement.
• Oversee Chamber’s budget and assets with a focus on transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability, ensuring efficient operations and responsible use of resources.
• Provide timely, accessible financial updates to executive leadership, the board, and key stakeholders.
• Explore diverse funding streams, including grants, partnerships, and earned revenue opportunities.

Member Engagement/Community Leadership

• Maintain a visible leadership presence by regularly participating in community events and actively promoting awareness of the Chamber’s role and impact within the community.
• Establish collaborative and strong relationships with business and community leaders by understanding their needs.
• Engage in community conversations to understand public perception and the evolving needs of local businesses and Chamber members, using these insights to strengthen member retention and drive membership growth.
• Approach issues with a balanced, bipartisan perspective to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups.

People Leadership

• Lead with honesty, transparency, and clear communication.
• Provide strong leadership by developing, mentoring, and evaluating team members to ensure individual and organizational success.
• Effectively manage and inspire staff to deliver high-quality programs that meet the business community's needs and drive member engagement.

Board Governance

• Serve as the key liaison and collaborator between the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, staff, and committees.
• Coordinate with the Board and committee chairs to plan agendas, establish priorities, and provide regular updates on the progress of strategic goals and organizational health.
• Oversee financial planning and governance by working with the Finance Committee to develop fiscal policies, budgets, and asset management, while managing an annual Board operating calendar for effective meeting and planning cycles.

Required Qualifications & Demonstrated Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in a professional discipline relevant to Executive Leadership.
• Minimum of 10 years in a leadership role, with experience in the not-for-profit sector.
• Successful experience in a sales-driven, goal-oriented work environment is desired.
• Proven servant leadership guided by the highest standards of integrity.
• Demonstrated skills in managing, coaching, and supporting staff to achieve high performance.
• Proven ability to work independently with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and sustain respectful, high-trust relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong professional presence with excellent communication skills, including strong interpersonal abilities and clear, effective written communication.
• Skilled at navigating high-pressure situations and responding to criticism with professionalism and resilience.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects efficiently and simultaneously.

Location: This position is expected to be primarily in-office during the initial onboarding and training period to support collaboration and team integration. A hybrid work schedule may be considered after this period, based on performance and business needs.

Target Start Date: September 15th, 2025.

Compensation: This position offers a salary range of $105,000 – $120,000, based on experience and qualifications, and includes a comprehensive total benefits package.

Application Deadline: July 18th, 2025, at 4:00 pm.

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