Chief Executive Officer - Emergency Nurses Association

Spano Pratt•Schaumburg, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization through its next phase of strategic evolution. This appointment comes at a pivotal time, requiring a leader who can strengthen governance alignment, enhance member value and drive disciplined financial performance while positioning ENA for sustained global relevance. Reporting to the ENA Board of Directors, the CEO is accountable for executing the association’s strategy, optimizing operational performance and ensuring long-term sustainability. This includes stabilizing and advancing governance–management partnerships, modernizing the membership value proposition and aligning resources to deliver measurable impact for emergency nurses. The CEO serves as the principal representative of ENA, engaging credibly with members, partners and policymakers. Success in this role will require a balance of strategic clarity and operational rigor, with a demonstrated ability to lead through complexity, build trust across diverse stakeholders and translate mission into tangible outcomes.

Requirements

Advanced degree or equivalent professional experience
Minimum of 5 years in senior executive or officer-level leadership role within a nonprofit, association or similarly complex global organization, with demonstrated success in driving strategic growth and organizational impact
Proven financial and business management experience, including oversight of multimillion dollar budgets and diversified revenue streams, and improving global engagement with members and partner organizations
Experience leading complex, member-driven organizations with active volunteer governance structures
Builds high-trust, effective partnerships with boards, grounded in transparency and shared accountability
Clearly delineates governance and management roles, strengthening decision-making effectiveness
Aligns organizational structure, resources, and priorities to strategy
Engages and mobilizes a complex, global volunteer workforce
Drives organizational clarity, focus and resilience
Champions a culture of accountability and member service excellence
Translates strategy into clear priorities, execution plans and measurable outcomes
Demonstrates strong financial stewardship, including disciplined cost management and long-term financial resilience
Brings deep understanding of nonprofit and association business models
Drives sustainable revenue growth through diversification of education, partnerships, sponsorships and global markets
Applies ROI analysis to programs, products and strategic investments
Balances mission impact with commercial viability and long-term growth
Oversees enterprise risk management and financial controls
Translates mission and vision into tangible, measurable outcomes
Serves as a credible, visible advocate
Demonstrates deep understanding of emergency care and health care systems
Influences policy and sector priorities through strategic engagement
Represents the organization with authority across global forums and stakeholders
Builds collaborative relationships that extend organizational reach and impact
Positions the organization for future relevance through innovation and digital enablement
Modernizes membership value propositions to meet evolving needs
Identifies and capitalizes on new market and global growth opportunities
Anticipates industry, workforce and health care system trends
Expands strategic partnerships and external collaborations
Evolves business models to remain competitive and sustainable

Nice To Haves

Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential
Awareness of regulatory requirements and industry trends in the health care sector

Responsibilities

Translate ENA Board-approved strategy into measurable outcomes. Lead the development and execution of multi-year priorities that strengthen member value, advance emergency nursing practice and position ENA for sustained global relevance.
Establish a high-functioning, strategic partnership with the Board of Directors, ensuring clear delineation between governance and management. Provide timely, transparent information to the Board President, Executive Committee, and full Board of Directors. Anticipate emerging risks, frame critical issues and enable informed thought-leadership decision making.
Be accountable for organizational performance across all operations, programs and services. Anticipate and identify market trends, emerging risks and other issues that threaten near-term operational success. Ensure disciplined financial management, including revenue diversification, cost control and long-term sustainability. Maintain robust internal controls, compliance and risk oversight.
Drive expansion of ENA’s revenue base through scalable education, partnerships, sponsorships and global market opportunities. Modernize the association’s business model to ensure relevance, competitiveness and financial resilience.
Redesign and operationalize a data-driven, lifecycle-based member value strategy to drive measurable growth in acquisition, engagement and retention across all career stages. Build and sustain high-impact partnerships that extend ENA’s influence across health care systems and international markets.
Serve as the principal representative of ENA, advancing its policy agenda and professional priorities with credibility. Engage effectively with policymakers, industry leaders and global stakeholders to shape issues impacting emergency care and the nursing workforce.
Lead the development of a high-performing, accountable executive team. Embed a culture of performance, inclusion and service excellence, with clear expectations for leadership capability, succession planning and workforce development.
Guide the organization through periods of transformation with clarity and discipline. Ensure consistent, transparent communication and alignment across the enterprise, enabling agility in response to industry, workforce and technological change.
Ensure full compliance with all regulatory, legal and ethical requirements. Maintain enterprise-wide risk management practices that protect organizational reputation, financial integrity and stakeholder trust.