Job Description
Description
Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, is looking for an Executive Director to work closely with the Board of Directors for our client, the prestigious Bank Insurance & Securities Association (BISAnet.org). BISA's mission is to inspire and support member firms and financial professionals within the dedicated community of banks, credit unions, and industry partners focused on providing best-of-class, holistic life planning through wealth management, technology, investment, and insurance solutions. Successful incumbent will possess a broad understanding of the financial services industry, particularly related to sales and distribution of regulated investment and insurance products, financial planning and advisory services, and retirement income planning services provided by banks and credit unions.
At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.
The Executive Director will serve as a key face of the industry and organization, with high visibility and responsibility for developing strong relationships with senior executives. The incumbent will also demonstrate a track record of strong business development, leadership, and operational skills that will lead to continued growth and value creation for BISA.
Consider this: Smithbucklin executives run some of the most admired trade organizations in the country. They are entrepreneurial in their thinking, yet pragmatic in both the turnaround and growth of their client organizations. Managing critical issues such as membership growth, Board leadership development, diversification of organization revenues, attracting new volunteer leaders, and overall financial performance is what excites Smithbucklin executives every day. If you share this excitement and have a history of building, growing, and running a business or association, then we would like to hear from you.
Make a difference: Smithbucklin executives are the agents of change helping client organizations grow their membership, establish or maintain financial health and are recognized leaders in their prospective industries. We are looking for high-energy, high-achieving executives that can not only bring strategic, financial, operational, marketing, and talent development skills to our client organizations, but are also able to contribute internally to the overall growth of Smithbucklin.
This role would expect you to...
• Study, learn, retain, and apply subject matter knowledge related to the organization. Become adept at the issues, environment, vocabulary, and personas of membership.
• Contribute to strategic thinking and future-focused planning and prioritization efforts of the Board of Directors.
• Advise the Board of Directors on governance-related leading practices related to Bylaws, volunteer recruitment, organizational structure, policies, norms, and behaviors.
• Ensure all laws, regulatory filings, accounting practices, and other matters related to business administration are upheld and/or fulfilled.
• Drive action-planning and execution of programs, services, product development, and other initiatives which translate strategic thinking into action and outcomes.
• Work alongside leadership to drive and/or support the creation and nurturing of external partnerships (e.g. companies, associations, governmental organizations) which elevate and broaden the reach of the organization's brand and mission, and/or contribute to the organization's continued growth and financial health.
• Work with the Board of Directors and other stakeholders to develop and nurture a culture of engaged volunteers, applying best practices to recruitment, engagement, and recognition.
• Communicate effectively with leadership and all stakeholders on matters related to the organization; serve as the primary driver of communications (either directly, or through others).
• Serve as the business leader of the organization, accountable for driving strategic conversations related to the financial model and assuming overall accountability for the organization's growth, financial health, and stability.
• Drive the annual process for development of the organization's budget, including the identification, selection, and engagement of resources or solutions within the parameters of the approved budget (i.e. operational planning)..
Lead the cross-functional HQ team, and fulfill duties such as...
• Design the optimal staff (or other resources) team to execute operations and advance strategic priorities, within the parameters of the approved budget.
• Create and nurture an environment for staff to be effective and engaged, including role clarity, expectations, performance management, and overall morale.
• Implement quality assurance regarding creation, organization, and retention of documents and materials of the organization.
• Deliver service excellence by HQ staff to volunteers, members, collaborators, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a servant-leader by helping staff develop knowledge, competencies, and skills to successfully perform their roles.
• Communicate expectations; surface and resolve conflict; and reward and recognize successes across the staff team.
• Assume accountability for all staff functions, actions, and outcomes.
Perform obligations of a Smithbucklin Executive Director, such as...
• Participate within and contribute to the Executive Director community and maximize all learning, development, and sharing opportunities.
• Uphold all Smithbucklin shared VALUES.
• Actively support and advance commitments and initiatives related to people care, including commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), performance management, career development/pathing, employee relations, etc.
• Develop and maintain the confidence of the client organization - individually, and with Smithbucklin as a valued management partner.
• Maximize Smithbucklin's service model, depth of expertise, and resources in service to the organization you serve.
This role might be a great fit if you....
• Have at least 5-10 years of executive-level management experience.
• Have served in a leadership role of a volunteer-governed organization.
• Wish to join an industry-leading, widely admired, growing company that values diversity, equity, inclusion and its people as its number one resource.
• Have a passion for servant-leadership: can lead both "in front" and also "from behind."
• Possess executive-level communication skills (verbal and written)
• Effectively navigate challenging situations and/or personalities which lead to positive outcomes and mitigate organizational risk.
• Accept accountabilities that come with a leadership position.
• Invite constructive performance feedback and work in a positive manner to apply the learnings.
• Can balance and derive gratification from both administrative/operational activities as well as strategic ones.
Where Do You Fit?
Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.
Our hybrid environment offers you the option to work from home two days per week. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.
The salary range for this role is $160,000 to $215,000. In addition to base salary, performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package are available.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, ****** orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment, you must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.
Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, is looking for an Executive Director to work closely with the Board of Directors for our client, the prestigious Bank Insurance & Securities Association (BISAnet.org). BISA's mission is to inspire and support member firms and financial professionals within the dedicated community of banks, credit unions, and industry partners focused on providing best-of-class, holistic life planning through wealth management, technology, investment, and insurance solutions. Successful incumbent will possess a broad understanding of the financial services industry, particularly related to sales and distribution of regulated investment and insurance products, financial planning and advisory services, and retirement income planning services provided by banks and credit unions.
At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.
The Executive Director will serve as a key face of the industry and organization, with high visibility and responsibility for developing strong relationships with senior executives. The incumbent will also demonstrate a track record of strong business development, leadership, and operational skills that will lead to continued growth and value creation for BISA.
Consider this: Smithbucklin executives run some of the most admired trade organizations in the country. They are entrepreneurial in their thinking, yet pragmatic in both the turnaround and growth of their client organizations. Managing critical issues such as membership growth, Board leadership development, diversification of organization revenues, attracting new volunteer leaders, and overall financial performance is what excites Smithbucklin executives every day. If you share this excitement and have a history of building, growing, and running a business or association, then we would like to hear from you.
Make a difference: Smithbucklin executives are the agents of change helping client organizations grow their membership, establish or maintain financial health and are recognized leaders in their prospective industries. We are looking for high-energy, high-achieving executives that can not only bring strategic, financial, operational, marketing, and talent development skills to our client organizations, but are also able to contribute internally to the overall growth of Smithbucklin.
This role would expect you to...
• Study, learn, retain, and apply subject matter knowledge related to the organization. Become adept at the issues, environment, vocabulary, and personas of membership.
• Contribute to strategic thinking and future-focused planning and prioritization efforts of the Board of Directors.
• Advise the Board of Directors on governance-related leading practices related to Bylaws, volunteer recruitment, organizational structure, policies, norms, and behaviors.
• Ensure all laws, regulatory filings, accounting practices, and other matters related to business administration are upheld and/or fulfilled.
• Drive action-planning and execution of programs, services, product development, and other initiatives which translate strategic thinking into action and outcomes.
• Work alongside leadership to drive and/or support the creation and nurturing of external partnerships (e.g. companies, associations, governmental organizations) which elevate and broaden the reach of the organization's brand and mission, and/or contribute to the organization's continued growth and financial health.
• Work with the Board of Directors and other stakeholders to develop and nurture a culture of engaged volunteers, applying best practices to recruitment, engagement, and recognition.
• Communicate effectively with leadership and all stakeholders on matters related to the organization; serve as the primary driver of communications (either directly, or through others).
• Serve as the business leader of the organization, accountable for driving strategic conversations related to the financial model and assuming overall accountability for the organization's growth, financial health, and stability.
• Drive the annual process for development of the organization's budget, including the identification, selection, and engagement of resources or solutions within the parameters of the approved budget (i.e. operational planning)..
Lead the cross-functional HQ team, and fulfill duties such as...
• Design the optimal staff (or other resources) team to execute operations and advance strategic priorities, within the parameters of the approved budget.
• Create and nurture an environment for staff to be effective and engaged, including role clarity, expectations, performance management, and overall morale.
• Implement quality assurance regarding creation, organization, and retention of documents and materials of the organization.
• Deliver service excellence by HQ staff to volunteers, members, collaborators, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a servant-leader by helping staff develop knowledge, competencies, and skills to successfully perform their roles.
• Communicate expectations; surface and resolve conflict; and reward and recognize successes across the staff team.
• Assume accountability for all staff functions, actions, and outcomes.
Perform obligations of a Smithbucklin Executive Director, such as...
• Participate within and contribute to the Executive Director community and maximize all learning, development, and sharing opportunities.
• Uphold all Smithbucklin shared VALUES.
• Actively support and advance commitments and initiatives related to people care, including commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), performance management, career development/pathing, employee relations, etc.
• Develop and maintain the confidence of the client organization - individually, and with Smithbucklin as a valued management partner.
• Maximize Smithbucklin's service model, depth of expertise, and resources in service to the organization you serve.
This role might be a great fit if you....
• Have at least 5-10 years of executive-level management experience.
• Have served in a leadership role of a volunteer-governed organization.
• Wish to join an industry-leading, widely admired, growing company that values diversity, equity, inclusion and its people as its number one resource.
• Have a passion for servant-leadership: can lead both "in front" and also "from behind."
• Possess executive-level communication skills (verbal and written)
• Effectively navigate challenging situations and/or personalities which lead to positive outcomes and mitigate organizational risk.
• Accept accountabilities that come with a leadership position.
• Invite constructive performance feedback and work in a positive manner to apply the learnings.
• Can balance and derive gratification from both administrative/operational activities as well as strategic ones.
Where Do You Fit?
Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.
Our hybrid environment offers you the option to work from home two days per week. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.
The salary range for this role is $160,000 to $215,000. In addition to base salary, performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package are available.
Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, ****** orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment, you must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Executive Director - Bank Insurance & Securities Association - Now Hiring position is now open for candidates interested in the Bank Jobs sector. This role in Chicago offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Bank Jobs is a plus.