Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Position:                                   Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Reports To:                              NAEP Board of Directors

Supervisory Responsibility:       Yes

Employment Classification:       Exempt/At Will

Reporting to the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP or Association’s) Board of Directors, the  CEO is employed as the Association’s senior executive officer and works closely with the NAEP Chair and Board of Directors to advance the mission and define the strategic direction of the Association. The CEO is expected to be forward-thinking and visionary and is responsible for the direct execution of the Association’s strategic plans.  In cooperation with the Board of Directors, membership, and key stakeholders, they will set the course to actualize the Association’s strategic plan and assure NAEP’s success and sustainability.  The CEO is responsible for personnel administration, financial management, and day-to-day operations of the Association including the NAEP Office. The CEO functions without direct supervision and is responsible for providing administrative continuity and support to the Association and to volunteer leaders. They will serve as an Ex Officio on the Board of Directors.

Summary of Position Duties

A) Advances the Strategic Priorities of the Association  

Ensures that Procurement professionals have strategic input in the ongoing discussion of important issues in education. Acts as a thought leader, representing the views of the Association and the procurement profession to external groups and stakeholders, and serves as the Association’s “voice” with critical partners. Represents NAEP at allied professional activities and assumes leadership for increasing awareness of NAEP throughout the procurement profession and builds bonds and strategic relationships with the leaders of other closely related associations and organizations.

Identifies and provides insight into innovative and effective professional advancements that could be incorporated into the Association’s strategic plans and push the procurement profession forward.   Additionally, assists in the collection of data through assessments and evaluations of current programs and services to share with key stakeholders to set an agenda for future directions. 

Supports the Board of Directors by providing subject matter experts and/or industry-recognized consultants to assist in the collection of data, review of new technologies, services, and programs, and/or facilitation of group development for strategic planning and other on-going needs.

Is responsible for Association membership retention and growth. Develops and implements strategic membership recruitment and retention programs that include measurable outcomes. Evaluates results and recommend to the Association Board policies, procedures, and actions to achieve membership goals. Anticipates member needs and initiates programs and services to meet those needs.

Ensures that the Association continues to value a multiplicity of perspectives offered by membership with a wide range of interests, concerns, levels of expertise, backgrounds, and experience.

Works with educational institutions, agencies, and associations in response to political and social agendas that affect education.

B) Supports the Board of Directors and Volunteer Leadership  

Provides counsel and advises the NAEP Board Chair in the performance of duties including planning meeting agendas and developing background materials for meetings of the Board of Directors and all pertinent work groups.

In conjunction with the Board of Directors:

• Works collaboratively to provide creative and visionary leadership which reflects the needs of the Association and its members.
• Develops, supports, and broadly communicates a shared vision for the future of NAEP.
• Creates and devises short and long-range goals and objectives, policies, and operating plans for the Association and the NAEP Office.
• Builds understanding around the current mission and implements initiatives adopted by the Board of Directors.
• Aligns resources in order to carry out the strategic plan utilizing effective management practices in order to focus the direction of the Association.
• Collaborates with strategic partners and always represents the Association’s best interests to generate financial and thought leadership resources for the betterment of the procurement profession and education.

Assists in the recruitment, nurturing, and development of volunteer leadership, ensures that the Association is developing diverse and inclusive member expertise and leadership, and motivates and encourages volunteer participation.

Regularly communicates with volunteer leadership on Association activities, programs, and services. Develops real-time dashboards and reporting mechanisms that facilitate volunteer engagement in the analysis of established performance indicators.

Provides consultation and direction to various Association workgroups assisting them in their efforts to implement and carry out their goals and activities.  

Works with the Board of Directors leadership in developing training and orientation programs for the successful transition of new members of the Board of Directors to their positions and materials preparing all new volunteer leaders for the Association.

C) Directs the Administration of the NAEP Office  

Provides leadership to the Association’s professional staff through knowledge of issues and matters of importance to procurement professionals including topics related to education, society at large, governmental policies, trends in business and other related fields, and the provision of key services to institutions.

Oversees the recruitment, selection, training, evaluation, and supervision of NAEP Office staff including establishing organizational, departmental, and personnel reporting structures.  Aligns resources and sets the course for implementation of the Association’s strategic plan. Provides clear guidance and direction for the workflow of projects and all administrative operations of the NAEP Office.

Manages the business and resources of NAEP in conformity with sound financial and management principles consistent with generally accepted accounting practices, the Internal Revenue Service, and applicable Federal and State laws including the effective use of current resources and the identification of new sources of revenue.

Assures that the Association’s structure and budget will allow the Association to achieve its short and long-term goals. Responsible for developing the annual budget and managing investments. Responsible for overseeing operating expenses, and the financial reporting and audit process to appropriate government agencies on behalf of the Association. Authority to approve expenditures within the parameters of the Board-approved budget. All expenditures not previously contemplated by the Board, and valued in excess of what could reasonably be defined as routine business expenses, shall be submitted for Board approval. Ensures the Association treasurer and finance committee are informed of all major variances and risks and provides options for remediation to the finance committee and/or Board of Directors.

Negotiates and executes all contracts within his/her authority and secures outside resources, if necessary, to provide counsel on matters of Association business. 

Provides administrative oversight to the processes for:

Membership - including recruitment, records, services, and dues.

Conferences and Programs - including site selection, planning, design, content, logistics, and execution.

Education – including content development, call for programs, management of learning management system, ongoing webinars, virtual and in-person Academies.

Publications - including the Educational Procurement Journal, NAEP Pulse, white papers, and other special publications.

By-Laws - including researching and recommending changes to by-laws, policies, and procedures and overseeing elections.

Association Resources and Services - including , Career Center, RFP Library, and other services and member benefits provided by the Association.

Communication and Technology - including marketing and promotion of services, programs, and membership benefits, and the use of technology to continually increase the efficiency of Association operations.

Business Development – including finalizing agreements, fulfillment, identifying prospective business partners, and prospectus development.

Qualifications

A master’s or other advanced degree is preferred, a bachelor’s degree is required, with demonstrated progressive leadership experience in a multifaceted management setting, preferably in Educational Procurement, but may include association management, private procurement, institutional auxiliaries or business administration, the non-profit sector, or a similarly complex work environment. Designation as a Certified Association Executive and experience in  business development are also preferred. The CEO will demonstrate:

• Broad leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Strong non-profit financial and budget experience.
• The ability to supervise, train, and develop a diverse a remote staff.
• Strong understanding of the dynamics of working with volunteer association leadership.
• The capacity to lead and manage organizational change.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills presenting to both small and large groups, with a high level of emotional intelligence.
• The ability to synthesize issues and ideas and convincingly present them to constituent groups and others.
• An understanding of education trends, legislation, and legal issues.
• An understanding of the procurement profession within and outside of education.
• Expertise in translating membership priorities into programs and services.
• Ability to interact with individual members of the Board of Directors in order to develop consensus on various important issues.
• Ability to trace and attend ALL currently planned annual meeting dates.  Travel requirements may vary based on schedules, and time of year.  The anticipated average travel is 25%, ranging up to 50% I more busy periods while attending annual, regional, and partner association meetings. 
• C.P.M., C.P.S.M., CPPO, or CPPB strongly preferred.

The Association actively encourages participation by members of underrepresented groups based on ethnicity, age, sex, gender identity and expression, religious preferences, sexual orientation, and disability in all NAEP and institutional activities.

We recognize that not everyone enters the world of work with the same advantage, opportunity, and privilege.  This is why your skills and experiences are important to us.  Take the leap and apply, you just might be the person we are looking for!

First Review of Applications will occur June 11th

Screening Questions:

Describe your leadership experience in procurement, higher education, or non-profit professional associations.

Describe your experience in developing and operationalizing a strategic vision.

How do you recruit, engage and motivate volunteers?

Please provide the following document with your application :

Cover letter

Resume 

List of references

Responses to screening questions