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The Executive Vice President, Affiliate Relations is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of ICBA's relationships with affiliated state associations, ensuring strong partnership, engagement, and alignment in support of ICBA's mission and objectives. Serving as the primary liaison between ICBA and its affiliate network, this executive fosters trusted relationships with state association leaders, promotes collaboration around shared priorities, and helps strengthen the collective voice and impact of community banking at both the state and national levels.

The EVP develops and executes strategies, programs, and initiatives that enhance affiliate engagement, support revenue growth, advance organizational priorities, and create value for affiliated state associations. Working closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams across the organization, the role drives enterprise-wide collaboration, aligns affiliate interests with ICBA's strategic plan, and helps inform organizational decision-making through affiliate insights, industry perspectives, and emerging trends.

Additionally, the EVP leads the State Relations team, providing coaching, direction, and performance oversight while ensuring the successful execution of key initiatives and projects. The position is accountable for measuring results, evaluating organizational impact, strengthening volunteer leadership engagement, and continuously enhancing the value delivered to affiliated state associations and the community banking industry. This is a highly relational and strategic role that requires exceptional communication skills, political awareness, diplomacy, servant leadership, and a deep understanding of association management.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and oversee strategies that strengthen relationships, engagement, and collaboration between ICBA and affiliated state associations in support of shared priorities and the success of community banking.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to ICBA leadership by providing insight into affiliate priorities, emerging issues, industry trends, and opportunities impacting state associations and their member banks.
• Ensure the perspectives, needs, and priorities of affiliated state associations are effectively communicated and considered in organizational discussions, planning, and decision-making.
• Foster an environment of trust, communication, and partnership that strengthens relationships among affiliated state associations and ICBA.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to senior leadership and volunteer leaders regarding affiliate engagement, relationship health, and opportunities to enhance collaboration

Affiliate & Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as ICBA's senior relationship leader with affiliated state associations, building trusted partnerships based on mutual respect, transparency, and shared success.
• Partner with state association executives, volunteer leaders, and boards to strengthen relationships, address opportunities and challenges, and identify areas for collaboration that support community banks.
• Act as a resource, connector, and advocate for affiliated state associations by helping align affiliate needs with ICBA resources, expertise, and support.
• Represent ICBA at affiliate meetings, conferences, board meetings, and industry events while maintaining a visible and accessible presence among affiliate leaders.

Enterprise Collaboration

• Champion affiliate engagement across ICBA and help ensure affiliate perspectives are incorporated into organizational initiatives, programs, services, and member-facing activities.
• Partner with senior leaders across ICBA to strengthen coordination, communication, and collaboration with affiliated state associations.
• Promote alignment around shared priorities while respecting the independence, governance, and unique needs of each affiliated state association.
• Foster a culture of partnership, service, responsiveness, and continuous improvement throughout ICBA's affiliate relationships.

Organizational Performance & Team Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the State Relations function, ensuring resources, priorities, and activities align with the needs of affiliated state associations and ICBA's mission.
• Lead and develop the State Relations team, fostering a culture of service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Establish objectives, engagement goals, and success measures for affiliate relations efforts and evaluate results to strengthen relationships, organizational effectiveness, and overall impact.
• Analyze affiliate feedback, performance metrics, and organizational outcomes to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and enhanced service to affiliated state associations.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 5+ years of executive leadership experience required; advanced degree and/or Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation preferred.
• Significant leadership experience working with state associations, affiliate organizations, membership organizations, trade associations, or the financial services industry required; community banking experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of association management, governance practices, and volunteer leadership structures.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership experience with the ability to build partnerships, develop collaborative solutions, and achieve organizational objectives.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, listening, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with executives, boards, volunteer leaders, and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships, foster collaboration, and work effectively with diverse stakeholders while respecting the unique cultures, priorities, and operating models of affiliated state associations.
• Strong commitment to servant leadership and a demonstrated ability to develop, coach, and lead high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated business and financial acumen, including budgeting, resource management, and strategic planning.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to translate information into practical solutions and actionable strategies.
• Understanding of technology platforms and data systems that support relationship management, organizational effectiveness, and member engagement.
• Provide leadership to direct reports by setting clear goals, managing performance through regular coaching and feedback, and fostering an inclusive, high performing team culture.

• Ability to travel nationally up to 30%.

We recognize that candidates may not meet every qualification listed. If your background and experience are close to what we’re seeking, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits of Working at ICBA

• Generous and competitive benefits package
• 401(k) savings plan offering 100% employer match of up to 6% of annual earnings.
• Hybrid work environment, monthly work from home stipends, and flexible work hours
• Fitness discounts, telemedicine, on-demand therapy, and work-life balance tools
• Tuition reimbursement and allowances for professional development
• Frequent company social events
• Friendly and inclusive workplace culture

The target annual salary range for this role is currently $175,000 to $215,000 based on a regular, full-time schedule. The amount of compensation offered will be determined by several factors, including but not limited to experience, qualifications, location, market data and internal equity.

ICBA is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. ICBA does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)’s guiding mission is to create and promote environments where community banks flourish. We are:

•     Dedicated advocates providing community bankers, policymakers and the public with authoritative insights and resources to support and strengthen community banking.

•     Knowledgeable, applying their expertise to offer personalized service that addresses the distinct challenges and opportunities facing community banks.

•     Community-centered, driving meaningful change that strengthens community banks and the communities they serve. We turn commitment into action and deliver real results.

ICBA’s workplace culture is built on our core values:

•     Caring -We support and prioritize your well-being and professional growth.

•     Connected - We foster strong relationships that create meaningful impact.

•     Collaboration – We are team-oriented and results driven where diverse perspectives are valued, and innovative ideas are encouraged to achieve our common goals.

Join ICBA and further your career while making a lasting impact!