President

Stone Group of Companies•Spokane, WA

23h•$170,000 - $180,000

About The Position

The President is the Spokane Business Association’s chief executive and public face, reporting to the Board of Directors. The President runs the organization day to day, sets its advocacy calendar, represents the business community before public and governing bodies, and keeps members informed, engaged, and prepared to act. This is a hands-on role involving daily communication, testimony, issue campaigns, and analysis, supported by a small staff and an engaged Board. The retiring founding President will support the transition by making introductions, handing off active files, and assisting the new President during the first months. The President represents and advocates for Spokane’s business community; serves as the SBA’s primary spokesperson; researches and analyzes policy issues; leads issue and ballot-measure campaigns as directed by the Board; and builds relationships with elected officials, partner organizations, members, and the press. The role also leads member communications and engagement, fundraising and sponsorships, events, budgeting, staff and contractor oversight, compliance, and Board coordination. The preferred candidate has a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, though substantial relevant experience may substitute, and at least five years of senior management experience. Relevant backgrounds include public policy, government affairs, public agencies, campaigns, journalism, advocacy, chamber, or nonprofit management. The position offers starting wages of $170,000–$180,000 per year, medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and a 401(k).

Requirements

At least five years of experience in a senior management role.
Executive-level advocacy and fundraising and sponsorship experience.
Broad business skills, including financial planning and projections, budgeting, and operations.
Knowledge of and ability to use standard office software, including Microsoft Office.
Comfort using modern research and AI tools.
Strong oral and written communication and people skills; the President writes most of the SBA’s published materials.
Ability to communicate persuasively, advocate effectively, and take and defend public positions in print and in person.
Strong organizational skills, fundraising ability, creativity, and enthusiasm.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, public policy, communications, journalism, nonprofit management, marketing, or a related field; substantial relevant experience may be considered instead.
Experience in public policy, government affairs, a public agency, a campaign, journalism, an advocacy organization, chamber management, or nonprofit management.
Demonstrated experience working with Boards of Directors, business executives, elected officials, committees, and the public.

Responsibilities

Represent and advocate for Spokane’s business community before the Mayor, City Council, Board of County Commissioners, Spokane Transit Authority, and other relevant boards and commissions.
Serve as the SBA’s primary spokesperson in public meetings, the press, op-eds, and editorials.
Set and maintain an advocacy calendar tied to City, County, and State activities.
Research and analyze issues, obtain public records, run analyses, and publish briefings, policy papers, and position statements.
Lead issue and ballot-measure campaigns as directed by the Board, including messaging, coalition building, earned media, and member mobilization.
Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, senior staff, partner organizations, and government organizations.
Collaborate with allied organizations and lead initiatives where the SBA is best positioned to do so.
Create and implement Board-approved position statements, action plans, campaigns, and other initiative tools.
Build the SBA’s visibility and credibility through member communications, website and resource-page updates, and local media presence.
Engage members to identify business-community needs, ideas, and opportunities for support.
Educate members, policymakers, business partners, and other stakeholders on key issues.
Publish regular member communications and issue alerts explaining developments and their business implications, and describing the SBA’s response.
Mobilize members to advocate for policy by providing direction, tools, education, talking points, testimony templates, meeting requests, and calls to action.
Maintain regular communication and opportunities for collaboration and involvement, including the Annual Dinner and member briefings.
Convene members and partners to respond to community needs, including coordinating business relief when needed.
Lead fundraising by renewing and growing the member and investor base, cultivating major contributors, and securing event and program sponsorships.
Deliver the Annual Dinner and other events that engage members, raise funds, and showcase the SBA’s work.
Report to contributors on the use and impact of their contributions, including positions taken, outcomes, and next steps.
Develop and implement Association policies and guidelines as approved by the Board.
Develop a fiscally responsible annual budget, manage to it, and report financial results to the Board quarterly.
Develop a staffing plan as needed, supervise staff, and manage contract relationships.
Ensure legal and regulatory compliance, including lobbying, campaign-finance, and public-disclosure rules applicable to a 501(c)(6) and any affiliated political committee.
Prepare Board agendas and materials with the Board Chair, and keep the Board informed between meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.