EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OUR ORGANIZATION

Mission

The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, Inc. (AICCW) exists to promote economic development in Wisconsin Indian Country through directed service delivery to American Indian entrepreneurs. Since our inception in 1991, we have remained committed to providing statewide advocacy, networking, one-to-one business management counseling and access to financial products and services to Wisconsin-based American Indian professionals. More specifically, the AICCW is committed to empower Wisconsin’s Native American Nations, Tribal Enterprises, and entrepreneurs through delivering and advocating for business, community, and economic development initiatives.

 

Our primary objective is to increase the effectiveness and success of Native American entrepreneurs and businesses. We promote education, advocate for strong policies, create programs fostering membership development, and advance the status of tribal member businesses and Native Nations throughout the state. The AICCW works in collaboration with our sister organization, the First American Capital Corporation, Inc. (FACC), which is a certified Native Community Development Financial Institution and SBA Intermediary Lender.

 

What We Do

We mentor our membersthrough the start-up of new businesses and at every stage of the business lifecycle. We provide one-on-one management counseling and host regular business development events throughout the state. Our members enjoy access to a wide range of resources, which include financial products/services, networking opportunities with community business leaders and fundraising events to support special initiatives.

 

AICCW facilitates several economic development seminars throughout the state to reach out to potential entrepreneurs in the rural communities of Wisconsin Indian country. These seminars are designed to provide insights, best practices, direction, resource access and support for opportunities for business development, such as: business planning; financial management; marketing; professional networking.

 

This is an exciting time to join the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin. AICCW has been awarded with funding for the Diverse Business Assistance Project. This is a limited term and narrowly focused project of assisting businesses and tribal enterprises recover and build resilience among those disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, that will serve to enhance AICCW’s reputation and standing within the business community.

 

OUR LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

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• Communication - fosters an environment of inclusion, where diverse thoughts are freely shared, respected, and integrated. Adjusts communication and management style according to needs of individual stakeholders.

• People Management - Sets clear goals and expectations. Motivates team toward performance excellence. Manages the workflow.

• Strategic Execution - Demonstrated ability to develop and implement programs that improve organizational performance. Adept at translating strategies into actionable tasks.

• Performance Management - develop staff by engaging in professional and career development discussions. Seeks learning opportunities for team members and provides stretch assignments and coaching.

• Strategic Thinking - Demonstrated ability to frame projects, daily activities, and solutions within the context of the organizational strategy. Considers and communicates the organization’s priorities, competitive advantage, external landscape, and long-term outlook when approaching work and communicating decisions.

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THE ROLE

The Executive Director (Director, ED) is the face of AICCW, and an entrusted leader to make organizational decisions that bring our mission to reality. The role provides direction and oversight for key stakeholders at all levels. The responsibilities of the Director, places emphasis on creativity, initiative, communications (both internal and external), and relationship building. The Director will promote a positive image of the Chamber and will serve as a spokesperson to its members, trade organizations, and our communities.

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The ED leads the daily operations of the organization, including implementation of policies, provide guidance on established by-laws, programs, and procedures. The Director will have oversight of staff and service providers, administration, and external vendors. The Executive Director will report directly to the Chairman and Board of Directors.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership, Design & Transformation | ONGOING

• Provide the ongoing design, implementation of AICCW’s organizational strategy, ensuring alignment with vision and goals; ensure high-quality execution of programs and further develop the organization’s plan for evaluating impact on volunteer, partner organizations, and their clients

• Oversee ongoing analysis and evaluation of program data to assess program effectiveness, improve performance, and drive future programming

• Collaborate and provide guidance with stakeholders, programs, and AICCW community experience

• Lead annual budget development process for all programs; oversee ongoing reporting to ensure accountability

• Provide transformational leadership to staff; managing professional development, and coaching to support a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team, and culture

• Serve as key leader of AICCW contributing to the execution of organizational strategy and goals

• Build consensus, inspire ongoing support and participation with members, key stakeholders, and the community

• Foster strategic, cross-functional collaborations with competencies and values that uplift AICCW’s mission

• Serve as the primary liaison to the AICCW Board of Directors

 

FUNDRAISING & BUSINESS EXPANSION | 70%

• Build and sustain relationships with key funders and external partners to drive membership and revenue growth

• Identify opportunities for cross collaboration with current and prospective partner organizations

• Develop a best-in-class membership program, sustain, and recruit new members to increase AICCW’s brand recognition

• Lead the Board of Directors in the development and the implementation of long-range strategies, to guide decisions and actions

• Cultivate public/tribal/private partnerships to external stakeholders, tribal elected officials, and state legislatures.

• Identify incremental organizational needs, by developing fundraising alternatives for special projects and budgets in collaboration with the Board and staff

• Serve as networking leader for all AICCW’s affairs, corporate partnerships, scholarship awards, outings, federal and state conferences

• Partner with Chamber Committee members in evaluating, recommending and implementation of new services

• Explore membership growth in various industry sectors, to increase the diversification of revenue streams and expand organizational reach beyond current markets and channels.

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FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION | 10%

• Lead AICCW’s financial administration; budgeting, grants, contracts, fundraising and events

• Serve as primary liaison with auditors, financial consultants, and federal partners

• Manage financial compliance with the DOA, U.S. Dept. of Treasury, and the Diverse Business Assistance Project

• Provide leadership to internal staff on record retention, bookkeeping and day to day procedures

 

PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | 20%

• Engage with leaders in the sector to share insights and best practices, staying abreast of new priorities and initiatives and contributing to the broader field

• Lead as an influencer to cultivate new partnerships for AICCW

• Expand current AICCW relationships to drive future revenue

• Serve as the point of contact to news media, business, and industry representatives, civic groups, service organizations, and government officials.

• Develop communications plan to expand AICCW’s brand within the community

• Advocates on behalf of the Chamber's Legislative Agenda to be of value to Native American Nations and businesses

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THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILL EXHIBIT THE FOLLOWING KSA’S (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Political Awareness: Relationship builder with key business and civic leaders and utilize contacts in a productive and effective manner; identifies issues that impact initiatives; approaches issues with a systematic perception of organizational and political realities; recognizes or anticipates the impact of actions; demonstrated application of common-sense logic and critical thinking.

• Influencer: Interest in and experience with connecting among Legislators, business professionals, creative thinkers, leaders, and entrepreneurs; draws upon the wisdom of contacts within the area business community for the benefit of AICCW members and economic development practitioners statewide; knows the steps in earning the respect of diverse groups and stakeholders.

• Change-Agent: Experienced with driving and/or facilitating change within organizations; generating enthusiasm about enhancing effectiveness and innovation that maximize success; thoughtful collaborator who rallies others with trust, and integrity; work group dynamics that builds consensus; excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills; history of implementing strategic priorities and business plan creation.

• Business Acumen: Understands businesses operations; tracks current and future trends, practices, technology, and information that impacts businesses operations; efficient and decisive at applying operational tactics.

• Drive for Results: High drive to implement plans and actions that results in a high likelihood of meeting or exceeding goals; consistently elicits top performance from those around them; assesses the impact of projects and actions based on performance indicators.

• Community and Economic Development: Experienced forging partnerships with the private sector; a catalyst for change leadership and action; tenacity to get deals done; understanding and respect of regionalism; understands and leads diverse economic development activities.

 

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S QUALIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or Advanced degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration or Business; and/or 20 years of experience leading into a leadership capacity

• 10 years’ of progressive experience leading the strategic execution of programs, community building, economic development, and administration

• Knowledge of financial and operational metrics resulting in an understanding of performance potential verses actual results

• Analysis and categorization of data and information, to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives

• Exceptional communication skills, verbal and written with a high level of emotional intelligence

• Leadership skills that exemplify a teacher and learners mindset

• Proven track record of success in designing and implementing programs and scenario mapping

• Experience with Tribal Nations; members, communities, businesses, and enterprises

• Servant leader with strength in coaching, developing and empowering team members to show up as their best selves

• Ability to gain consensus as a trusted leader that welcomes feedback at all levels with intellectual humility

• Technical Proficiencies: Microsoft Suite; Word, Excel, PowerPoint; cloud-based tools, co-develop/implement digital products/platforms

• Experience navigating the chamber landscape and/or native communities

• Passion for the mission, vision, values, and communities within AICCW’s network

 

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter and resume to: Careers@aiccw.org