Executive Director (Trade Association)

Keller Executive Search•North Chicago, IL

23h

About The Position

A well-established national trade association is seeking an Executive Director to lead its next stage of growth. The association serves a diverse B2B membership of manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and operators through industry events, education, networking, and advocacy. It has a stable organization and an engaged, supportive Board, and is ready to modernize, expand membership into adjacent markets, and build a stronger member-centric culture. This is a builder role focused on establishing systems and processes, developing a lean team, and translating strategy into measurable results. The Executive Director owns financial performance for an operating budget in the low seven figures, drives membership recruitment and retention, grows net revenue, and diversifies revenue through sponsorships, programs, events, and new member offerings. The role leads modernization, including a brand refresh and the development of scalable processes, systems, and member-data capabilities. It leads and develops a small staff, recruits key hires, and builds a collaborative, high-performing culture. The Executive Director serves as executive lead for major annual industry trade shows produced with partner organizations and a contracted show-management firm, and oversees year-round education, awards, and an annual member meeting. The role works with the Board and committees on strategic, generative governance and reports on progress, finances, risks, and opportunities. As a visible ambassador, the Executive Director engages members, partners, allied associations, media, and government officials, and coordinates legislative and regulatory efforts with counsel and lobbyists. The role also oversees finance, compliance, HR, technology, and administration, including budget development with the Finance Committee, internal controls, and the annual audit.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
10+ years of senior leadership experience in a trade association or nonprofit.
A proven track record of growing membership and net revenue.
Experience leading an organization through major structural or strategic change.
A history of revenue diversification and building member-centric programs.
A strong working understanding of the partnership between a chief staff executive and a volunteer Board.
Knowledge of nonprofit finance, budgeting, and legal practices, and comfort negotiating contracts.
A data-informed approach to member intelligence, including experience with association management or CRM platforms.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and media relations.
A relationship-centric, hands-on leadership style, with demonstrated strength in team building and change management.
Willingness to travel approximately 15 to 20% of the time, including for multi-day industry events.

Nice To Haves

A CAE or other association-related certification.
Experience with small-staff associations ($5M+) and a diverse mix of member types.
Direct experience producing or managing a trade show or large industry event, including exhibitor sales, sponsorships, and contractor management.
Experience managing events or programs in partnership with other organizations.
Legislative or regulatory advocacy experience at the state or federal level.
Background in the entertainment, hospitality, leisure, or consumer products sectors.

Responsibilities

Own financial performance for an operating budget in the low seven figures.
Drive membership recruitment and retention and grow net revenue.
Diversify revenue through sponsorships, programs, events, and new member offerings.
Lead organizational modernization, including a brand refresh and development of scalable processes, systems, and member-data capabilities.
Lead and develop a small staff, recruit key hires, and build a collaborative, high-performing culture.
Serve as executive lead for major annual industry trade shows produced with partner organizations and a contracted show-management firm.
Oversee year-round education, awards, and an annual member meeting.
Work with the Board and its committees to implement strategic, generative governance.
Report clearly to the Board on progress, finances, risks, and opportunities.
Represent the association and its industry with members, partners, allied associations, media, and government officials.
Coordinate legislative and regulatory efforts with counsel and lobbyists.
Oversee finance, compliance, HR, technology, and administration.
Develop the budget with the Finance Committee and oversee internal controls and the annual audit.