Overview
Experience Burlington is a growing community of member businesses and nonprofit organizations serving the greater Burlington region. The Executive Director leads the organization and serves as its principal representative to the institutions that shape the local business climate — the City of Burlington, the Town of Burlington, Racine County, the Burlington Area School District, and the region’s largest employers.
This role has been structured so that the Executive Director’s primary focus is external: building relationships, advocating for the business community, and positioning Experience Burlington as an essential partner in regional growth. Internally, the Executive Director serves as chief administrative officer with full responsibility for finances, staff, and organizational strategy, while day-to-day events, membership engagement, and marketing are delegated to staff under the Executive Director’s oversight.
The position calls for a professional who is equally comfortable representing the organization at a council meeting, in a superintendent’s office, or across the table from a major employer, and who can then return to the office and manage a budget, evaluate program performance, and develop staff. Self-motivation, poise, sound judgment, and political skill are essential, as are strong critical thinking, excellent written and verbal communication, and the ability to build consensus among parties who do not always begin in agreement.
Primary Accountabilities Government, Institutional & Business Relations (primary focus)
- Serves as the principal representative and spokesperson for Experience Burlington to the City of Burlington, the Town of Burlington, Racine County, the Burlington Area School District, major employers, and other regional institutions.
- Chairs and convenes the Building Burlington Leadership Council, the region’s cross-sector leadership table bringing together major employers, the City of Burlington, the Town of Burlington, the Burlington Area School District, and Experience Burlington. Sets the agenda, facilitates meetings, and drives shared priorities to actionable outcomes.
- Attends City and Town Council meetings, committee meetings, and public hearings as needed; monitors policy, zoning, development, and infrastructure decisions affecting member businesses and reports material developments to the Board.
- Builds and maintains working relationships with elected officials, municipal and county administrators, and department heads, including the Police Department, Department of Public Works, and Fire and EMS.
- Cultivates relationships with the region’s largest employers and anchor institutions, positioning Experience Burlington as a partner in workforce, investment, and community development priorities.
- Partners with school district leadership on workforce development, career exposure, and business–education initiatives.
- Represents Experience Burlington in economic development, tourism, downtown revitalization, and related regional efforts, and coordinates with county, regional, and state organizations where member interests are at stake.
- Advises the Board on public policy matters affecting the business community and advocates member positions once adopted by the Board.
- Leads major fund development, including anchor sponsorships, corporate partnerships, grants, and public funding opportunities.
Organizational Leadership & Administration
- Serves as chief administrative officer, accountable to the Board of Directors for the performance of the organization.
- Manages the organization within the framework of a Board-approved budget, including managing income and expenses to achieve annual net income goals and approving all financial disbursements.
- Supports the Board and Executive Committee by preparing meeting materials, financial reporting, and recommendations, and by setting agendas in coordination with the Board Chair.
- Leads strategic planning and long-range organizational development in partnership with the Board.
- Directly manages office staff, including hiring, payroll, scheduling, performance feedback, annual performance reviews, and professional development.
- Provides general supervision over work performed by volunteers, contractors, and vendors.
- Oversees all aspects of office operations, including vendor and contract management, insurance, records, and organizational compliance.
- Conducts strategic analysis of programs, events, and operations, evaluating profitability, cost-benefit, mission alignment, and member value, and makes recommendations to the Board accordingly.
Oversight of Events, Membership & Marketing
The Executive Director sets direction, approves plans and budgets, and holds staff accountable for results in these areas. Day-to-day planning and execution are delegated.
- Approves the annual master event calendar and individual event budgets; staff are responsible for scheduling, logistics, volunteer recruitment, sponsorship solicitation, and execution.
- Sets membership recruitment and retention goals and reviews performance against them; personally engages prospective anchor members and at-risk high-value accounts.
- Approves the Master Marketing Plan and reviews campaign performance against defined metrics; staff are responsible for development, implementation, and reporting.
- Oversees the organization’s website and social media presence, with content and channel management delegated to staff.
- Ensures member value is assessed on a regular cycle and that new ideas and initiatives are generated in response to member expectations and interests.
- Serves as brand ambassador for Experience Burlington throughout the business and nonprofit community.
Additional Responsibilities
- Serves as an active member of applicable community organizations.
- Establishes customer service standards for members and the general public and personally handles escalated member concerns.
- Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
Skills & Qualifications
- Outstanding public speaking, presentation, and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with elected officials, government staff, school administrators, and senior business leaders.
- Sound political judgment and discretion, including the ability to represent member interests in contested or sensitive settings while preserving working relationships.
- Excellent skills in community consensus building, negotiation, and coalition development.
- Strong executive and supervisory skills, including the ability to set expectations, delegate effectively, manage performance, and hold staff accountable for results.
- Strong business acumen, including demonstrated ability to manage a budget, analyze organizational performance, and project financial results.
- Ability to perform cost-benefit analysis of proposed ideas, projects, and events.
- Demonstrated success with, and willingness to do, fundraising and sponsorship development.
- Working understanding of digital marketing and social media platforms sufficient to evaluate strategy, set goals, and assess results.
- Strong ability to listen, receive feedback, and foster collaboration among Board members, staff, members, community leaders, and partner organizations.
- Ability to lead by personal involvement and example while using delegation wisely.
- Ability to motivate others to become champions of Experience Burlington’s initiatives.
- Ability to work a wide and flexible range of business hours, including frequent evening meetings.
Minimum Requirements
Education. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred.
Technical Skills. Competent use of Microsoft Office Suite and cloud-based software is required. Experience with GrowthZone or comparable association management software is a plus.
Experience. Prior experience in chamber, economic development, government relations, public administration, or nonprofit leadership is preferred. In the absence of paid chamber experience, volunteer leadership with a chamber of commerce or other community organization will be considered. Other relevant experience includes association management, public affairs, or business development.
Compensation
Experience Burlington offers a competitive base salary, annual bonus, eight paid holidays, and twenty days of PTO per year. This is a full-time position.
How to Apply
Please send a current resume with contact information, three professional references, and salary expectations to [email protected].
Review of applications begins immediately; the position is open until filled. Final offer contingent on successfully passing a background check.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
