Position Title: President & Economic Development Partnership Director

Position Overview

The Westmont Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau (WCCTB) is a business focused membership organization based in Westmont, Illinois.

The vision of WCCTB is to be the source, the voice, and the choice for serving the Westmont area business community. The mission of the WCCTB is to promote, connect and support business and tourism in the Westmont area. WCCTB is the:

• Source for new business relationships and community information
• Voice for identifying and expressing the concerns of the business community
• Choice for promoting and marketing Westmont
• Leader in business retention and new business development

The WCCTB is an engaged Member of the US Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, West Suburban Chamber of Commerce Executives, and in addition WCCTB manages the Westmont Chamber of Commerce Educational Foundation and the Westmont Economic Development Partnership.

The President of the Westmont Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau serves as the chief executive officer responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, operations, and initiatives of the organization. This role requires a dynamic leader with exceptional communication skills, a strategic mindset, and a deep commitment to promoting the interests of local businesses and fostering economic growth within the community. We are seeking an individual who shares our core values of community service and volunteerism.

• Provide visionary leadership to the Chamber of Commerce, guiding the development and execution of strategic plans to advance the organization's mission and objectives.
• Report to and collaborate with the Board of Directors to set strategic goals, establish policies, and allocate resources effectively.

Membership Engagement and Development:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective members, ensuring their needs are met and their voices are heard.
• Develop initiatives to attract new members and enhance the value proposition of Chamber membership.
• Lead membership and sponsorship sales campaigns and support.

Advocacy and Government Relations:

• Represent the interests of the business community to local, regional, state, and federal government entities, advocating for policies and initiatives that support economic development and entrepreneurship.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the Chamber on legislative and regulatory issues affecting businesses, participating in relevant forums and committees.

Programing, Services, and Event Management:

• Oversee the planning and execution of programs, services, events, and networking opportunities designed to promote business growth, professional development, and community engagement.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to ensure high-quality, impactful events that contribute to the Chamber's objectives.

Economic Development Services & Programs:

• Coordinate the Economic Development Partnership between the Westmont Chamber of Commerce and Village of Westmont.
• Promote and facilitate business attraction to Westmont.
• Promote and facilitate the retention and expansion of existing businesses in Westmont.
• Promote and facilitate development tools and incentive programs in support of the Village’s Comprehensive Plan.
• Promote and facilitate travel and entertainment spending in Westmont.
• Cultivate a diverse local economy.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with developers and brokers.
• Maintain a database of available properties.
• Maintain open communication between the business community and local, county and state governing bodies.

Financial Management and Resource Development:

• Manage the Chamber's financial resources responsibly, overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal controls.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, sponsorships, and partnerships to support Chamber programs and initiatives.

Public Relations and Communication:

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the Chamber, representing its interests in media interviews, public forums, and community events.
• Develop and implement effective communication strategies to engage stakeholders, promote Chamber initiatives, and enhance the organization's visibility and reputation via multiple platforms/distribution channels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, public administration, or a related field.
• Proven leadership with 3-5 years experience in a similar role within a chamber of commerce or business association.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans, manage organizational change, and drive results.
• Strong understanding of economic development, public policy, and issues affecting the business community.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking, writing, and interpersonal communication.
• Proficiency in financial management, budgeting, use of Quickbooks and resource allocation.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, including members, government officials, community leaders, and partner organizations.
• High standards of integrity, work ethic, trustworthiness, and personal responsibility.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time position with occasional evening and weekend hours required to attend events and meetings.
• Travel within the local area and occasional regional travel may be necessary for conferences, meetings, and advocacy efforts.

Application Instructions

To apply for the position of President at Westmont Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, please submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references to Larry Forssberg, via email at: LForssberg@westmontchamber.com or via mail to:, 1 South Cass Avenue, Suite 101, Westmont, IL 60559. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Westmont Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau (WCCTB) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. WCCTB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you are an applicant with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting WCCTB.