About the position
Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company, is seeking a Chief Staff Executive to lead the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) in Washington, DC. This role is pivotal in providing strategic, financial, and operational leadership for a membership-based industry association with an annual budget of approximately $3 million. The Chief Staff Executive will collaborate closely with the Board of Directors to develop both long-term and short-term growth strategies, advocate for the window, door, and skylight industry, and engage resources to achieve desired outcomes for the organization. The position requires hands-on involvement in managing overall operations, making significant decisions, and overseeing financial, technology, and human resources. The Chief Staff Executive will also negotiate agreements and contracts, ensuring compliance with organizational by-laws and board policies. The expected results for this role include achieving the organization's vision and mission, meeting annual budgeted financial performance, growing the organization, and building strong relationships across the industry. The Chief Staff Executive will be responsible for advising the WDMA Board on long-term strategy, overseeing the development and implementation of programs to grow membership and non-dues revenue, and managing advocacy efforts at both federal and state levels. This position also involves providing governance and compliance leadership, managing relationships with key stakeholders, and leading a diverse team of senior leaders. The work environment at Smithbucklin is collaborative, with a focus on nurturing growth and advancing the missions of client organizations. The company prides itself on its employee ownership model, which empowers all team members to contribute to the success of the organization.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership for a ~$3M membership-based industry association.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop long and short-term growth strategies.
- Advocate and develop relationships to advance the window, door, and skylight industry.
- Engage appropriate resources to achieve desired outcomes for the organization.
- Manage overall operations and make major decisions affecting the organization.
- Oversee the organization's financial, technology, and human resources.
- Negotiate and/or approve agreements and contracts for the organization.
- Ensure compliance with by-laws and board policies for the organization.
- Advise, guide, and influence the WDMA Board in defining its long-term strategy and goals.
- Oversee development, implementation, marketing, and evaluation of programs and services designed to grow membership and create member value.
- Plan, direct, monitor, and analyze WDMA's finances to achieve financial objectives.
- Lead WDMA's advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels, including policy agenda formation.
- Provide governance and compliance leadership expertise to the Board of Directors and committees.
- Monitor, evaluate, prioritize, and optimize the performance of association programs against goals.
- Manage positive relationships with the Board, key strategic partners, and volunteers.
- Continue to evolve WDMA's PR and marketing strategy and messaging.
Requirements
- Minimum attainment of an undergraduate university degree; advanced degree preferred.
- Senior-level management and leadership experience is required.
- Experience with developing both strategy and operational plans to support business goals.
- Experience with budgeting and managing P&L.
- Knowledge of governance practices, financial management, and accounting is required.
- Prior experience with leading, performance management, and developing diverse staff is desirable.
- Experience in developing and implementing advocacy strategies and leading government relations efforts.
- Understanding of the role as an employee of a professional services company while working closely with volunteer leadership.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience leading an organization through change to remain relevant is a plus.
- Experience and/or familiarity with the building industry sector is highly desirable.
- Previous work in association management is desirable.
Benefits
- Employee ownership model allowing all employees to share in the company's success.
- Hybrid work environment with the option to work from home two days per week.
- Standard 40-hour work week with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.
