The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

Principal Responsibilities:

• The President & CEO provides strategic leadership and executive management consistent with DEMA’s the strategic plan and the direction of the board.
• Manages and leads the professional staff and day-to-day operations of the association to achieve the association’s mission.
• Develops and nurtures strategic relationships and represents the association to the media, lawmakers, and other publics.
• Achieve financial and operational objectives while advancing the association’s mission.
• Governance: Advise and support the board of directors in governing the organization; participate fully in deliberations of the board, board and program committees, and other elements of governance.
• Produce DEMA Show, the association’s annual convention, maintaining its stature as the diving industry’s premier business-to-business conference; deliver outstanding attendee experiences, and achieve budget targets. Production of DEMA Show includes maintaining exhibitor relationships while providing excellent exhibitor experiences, maintaining legal and ethical requirements of a non-profit trade-only event, an understanding of the exhibit and attendee sales process, selection of education providers/speakers, and managing show-related vendors.
• Participate in the development of DEMA’s strategic plan.
• Provide the board with regular reports, including an annual report directed to the DEMA Membership.
• Provide thought leadership, data, analysis and recommendations to assist in governance and strategic thinking.
• Develop, propose and execute the annual Plan of Work and DEMA’s annual Budget as adopted by the DEMA Board.
• Develop Board and Operational Policies; New program and service opportunities; amendments to the by-laws and other governing documents.
• Hire, develop, review, and terminate the professional staff.
• Establish a member-focused staff culture that supports innovation, continuous improvement, career-long learning and professional development.
• Support the growth and development of DEMA Committees and ensure that the committees comply with the association’s by-laws, agreements, standards, policies and procedures.
• Provide stewardship of the association’s assets, including cash, investments, tangible property and intellectual property.
• Maintain a strong and effective Visual Identity Standard, protecting the association’s trademarks and service marks.
• Produce additional meetings of the DEMA Board, and other conferences and activities as required by the DEMA Board of Directors.
• Develop, implement, and market other products, programs, and services.
• Serve as publisher of the association’s Public Policy Digest, GoDiveNow Marketing Digest and other publications.
• Lead policy advocacy and lobbying efforts for state, U.S. federal, and international as needed: oversee research, media outreach, legislative education and member engagement in the policy process. Manage alliances and relationships with other organizations that support advocacy efforts. Ensure compliance with all regulations.
• Select, engage, and supervise vendors and contractors and other service providers.
• Evaluate and sign contracts and other agreements.
• Work closely with professional advisors to the board, such as the general counsel and official auditor.
• Develop and manage relationships with sponsors, partners, advertisers, strategic allies, and others.
• Inform the board regarding the condition and operations of the organization and trends, events, or emerging issues that can impact the association’s success.
• Manage the office, infrastructure, systems, policies and procedures necessary to administer the headquarters operation, serve members and ensure consistent, high-quality, professional operations.
• Serve in various roles with related subsidiaries, such as Associations West (formerly CalSAE), The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and others.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 15 years of work experience with at least 5 years in a senior executive management position. Previous U.S. non-profit trade association CEO experience is preferred.
• Experience and qualifications in marketing, business research, use of social media, membership recruitment & retention, and education.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience with Association/Relationship Management databases.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to new technologies and systems.
• Knowledge of the recreational scuba diving industry is highly desirable.
• This is a hybrid position, with offices in San Diego, CA.

Personal Characteristics:

• Spokesperson, ambassador, and enthusiastic advocate for the association.
• A leader able to develop credibility with the membership, staff, and board.
• Experience engaging with a diverse, global constituency.
• Personable, self-confident, and positive.
• Self-reflective and excellent written communicator.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30-50 percent of the time domestically and internationally on behalf of the association.
• Trustworthy; operates with the highest level of integrity and ethical behavior.
• Skilled in interpersonal and organizational conflict analysis, management, and resolution.
• Open, candid management style.

About Diving Equipment & Marketing Association

The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association is a (501 (c) 6) non-profit trade association. DEMA provides members and the Industry with tangible benefits that are funded by earnings from the Industry’s participation in the annual DEMA Show, sponsorships, and from DEMA membership dues. Importantly, DEMA channels earnings BACK INTO the Diving Industry, creating market and industry research, guiding legislation and regulatory issues to help the Industry, developing marketing and PR programs, and producing other Industry efforts, all for the benefit of DEMA Members. Description of DEMA Worldwide trade association for the recreational diving and snorkeling industries; Includes more than 1,100 business members worldwide. DEMA’s Mission Bringing businesses together to grow the diving industry worldwide.

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