IABC Re-opens Search for Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATORS

IABC has reopened the search for a visionary leader to serve as its Executive Director. The selected candidate will demonstrate a passion for the communication profession and the drive to lead boldly.

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of communications professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more than 15,000 members in 80 countries. As the leading resource for effective communication practice, IABC provides products, services, activities and networking opportunities to help people and organizations achieve excellence in employee communications, marketing communications, public affairs, public relations and other forms of communication. People around the world – in every industry and in the public and non profit sectors – have taken advantage of our resources to advance their careers and meet organizational objectives.

IABC’s membership is incredibly diverse under the umbrella of “business communicators”. Our members hold positions in public relations/media relations, corporate communications, public affairs, investor relations, government relations, marketing communications, community relations, writing, editing, advertising, photography and video production, graphic design, human resources/internal communications, teaching. While nearly 40% of our members work in a corporation, we have significant numbers of members in agency environments, in government, in the military, in not-for-profits and in educational institutions. This diversity allows IABC members to tap into a professional network, which provides skill development, new ideas and fresh insights into seemingly familiar problems and even connections between potential employers and employees or clients and consultants. For more information, visit http://www.iabc.com.

Position Summary

IABC seeks a visionary leader to serve as its Executive Director. The selected candidate will demonstrate a passion for the communication profession and the drive to lead boldly. The Executive Director will be a polished, engaging spokesperson, serving as one of the key “voices” of the association, and our industry, for the future.

S/he will be tasked with designing, promoting and executing strategies and programs to communicate the association’s objectives and priorities to both current and potential members.

Based in the IABC headquarters in San Francisco, CA, this leader will also be responsible for managing all of the IABC staff members (roughly 30 professional and administrative staff), and for directing the programs, administrative functions and operations of the association based on the current strategic plan. The position reports to IABC’s International Executive Board, an international, volunteer board of directors.

The Executive Director is expected to foster a service-oriented culture among staff members, and should personally demonstrate the qualities of a servant leader, focused on members and the greater good of the association. The ideal candidate will lead enthusiastically while working alongside staff to deliver new, revenue-generating products and services that support a growing global profession. This person will pursue innovative programs, curricula, technology tools and other resources to benefit IABC members. The Executive Director will seek opportunities to grow IABC membership and develop new chapters globally. The new leader will engage with current and potential sponsors and service providers to build and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships.

Job Requirements – Ideal Experience

• Minimum of five years experience in leadership of a significant (more than 10 professionals) high-performing team, as well as budget or profit and loss responsibility.
• Experience in a professional or trade association, either as part of the staff or as a board member is desired.
• Demonstrated understanding of strategic business communication’s impact on the ability of an organization to succeed in reaching its strategic goals.
• Proven capability of operating in a global economy – sensitive to and appreciative of global cultural differences. Proficiency or fluency in additional languages is desired.
• Experience in fundraising/development within an association, foundation or non-profit organization is a plus.
• Outstanding written (including editorial) and verbal communication skills, with a need to demonstrate the ability to relate sophisticated information and concepts in plain English are a must. Experience as a public speaker is desired.

Critical Competencies for Success – Creating and Implementing Strategic Plans

The Executive Director will work with the International Executive Board and senior management team to develop and articulate a clear and compelling vision of where the organization is headed. This person will need to not only communicate the vision in bold and persuasive terms to external and internal constituencies, but also translate these over-arching business goals into specific objectives for each member of the IABC staff. As such, the Executive Director will need to work to prioritize board direction and staff resources appropriately.

Building Relationships and Using Influence

This individual must possess well-developed diplomatic and negotiating skills to work with strong personalities in a variety of internal and external constituencies, including a volunteer board of directors, current and past chapter and association leaders, partners, staff, as well as the p and the media. S/he will be an engaging and influential communicator and presenter, readily connecting with others and able to build and sustain excellent relationships at multiple levels in the organization. This person will also prove able to use their internal and external networks strategically to accomplish the objectives of IABC.

Managing and Developing Teams

The Executive Director must inspire, coach and develop a diverse team of people with multiple perspectives and talents. S/he will be both motivating and collaborative; seeking input actively from a variety of sources. Moreover, this leader must be committed to fostering an open, inclusive association ad workplace culture.

Client/Member Focus

This person will seek to develop new ways of delivering value to the membership by soliciting and then acting on feedback from board members, current and past chapter and association leaders and current and potential members to ensure that opportunities have been evaluated and/or issues have been resolved.

Driving for Results

The Executive Director will translate the strategy and goals of the organization into actionable and quantitative plans, using best-in-class benchmarks and his/her own direct experience as catalysts for improvement of the association. S/he will utilize creative and innovative methods to solve issues that arise in the organization. This leader must also be a doer; willing to work alongside staff, board leaders and committee members to accomplish tasks and produce results.

Compensation

The Executive Director will operate within the terms of a contract between the executive director and the International Executive Chair of IABC. In addition to offering a competitive salary, IABC provides a comprehensive package of health, financial and income protection benefits.

For more information, contact:

Michael J. Patiño
Patiño Associates, LLC
8200 Greensboro Drive, Suite 900
McLean, VA 22102
T: (703) 293-6333
E: michael@patinoassociates.com

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