Associated Builders And Contractors Illinois Chapter

Job Title: President

Location: Elk Grove, Illinois

The President of Associated Builders & Contractors – Illinois Chapter serves as the association's chief executive and exercises general responsibilities to ensure the association operates in compliance with applicable laws, bylaws, and policies. This position ensures and maintains fiscal balance while keeping the chapter board of directors fully informed. This person is responsible for providing leadership necessary to build consensus around member-driven vision and implement that vision by planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the staff, programs, and activities of the association. The President is responsible for overseeing the association’s external relations and government relations efforts. This position reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Executive of Association Staff

• Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, firing, and selection of staff.
• Maintain appropriate office facilities to assure adequate service to members and advise the board of directors of the need for major changes and/or additions.
• Provide cost-effective training programs for the Vice President through personal leadership and assistance, education courses, & conferences

General Responsibilities

• Assures that all Association activities are carried out within the limits of the Chapter bylaws and conform to state and National ABC policy.
• Keep the Board of Directors fully appraised of all National policy positions proposed and continuing programs, objectives, and schedule of events.
• Attend all board meetings, executive committee meetings, committee meetings & chapter functions when possible
• Develop the annual chapter budget, in conjunction with the Vice President, and the assistance of the Treasurer. Is responsible for ensuring the Chapter has adequate income through membership increase, membership retention, and non-dues income (including tuition and programming) to maintain the budget in balance and build chapter equity
• The President/CEO, as the Authorized Administrator, oversees the Executive Vice President’s ministerial duties related to the day-to-day operations of the Training Trust. This includes, to, evaluating and managing service providers hired and approved by the Trustees. The position ensures all parties are acting in compliance with ERISA, DOL standards, and state and federal apprenticeship guidelines, and ensures that all financial and operational policies and procedures are followed by chapter staff and various service providers in accordance with the professional services agreement between ABC Illinois and the ABC Illinois Apprenticeship & Training Trust.

Leadership

• Recommends in conjunction with the nominating committee, upon request of the Board of Directors, candidates for board members and trustees
• Evaluate and develop members as future leaders of the association
• Plan necessary state leadership conferences in cooperation with the chair-elect
• Determine benefits to chapter and make recommendations as to chapter involvement in National ABC, as well as other business, professional and association program activities
• Represent the chapter at all National meetings and national association business.

Legal and Labor Relations

• Understand basic concepts related to labor relations and be able to advise members on the same. Including, but not limited to, union organizing, union pressure on construction owners, jobsite control, union contracts and rates of pay, salting and union organizing.
• Understand basic concepts related to legal issues commonly faced by ABC Illinois members. Including, but not limited to, construction delivery methods, wage and benefit comparisons, employee reviews, hiring/firing, lien law, open records, public works contracts, competitive bidding process, and standardized bid documents.

Public Affairs

• Represent the Illinois Chapter and its members’ interests to ABC National in daily affairs and at association events
• Act as an advocate for Merit Shop and for the members of the association
• Have and develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of construction issues
• Work with appropriate parties on the coordination and evaluation of image campaign. Includes development of advertising copy, production of ads, and placement of ads with print, broadcast or electronic media
• Develop and maintain relationships with key media representatives around the state.Write letters to the editor and Op-Ed articles on an as-needed basis. Work with other staff to educate media on merit construction.

Government Relations – Legislative Affairs

• Determine the impact of legislation on members of the association and the construction community
• Develop and communicate association’s positions to elected officials
• Provide oversight and leadership on PAC / conduit fundraising, disbursements and reporting
• Be responsible for Ethics Board reporting and compliance related to the association’s lobbying efforts
• Conduct lobbying efforts in compliance with state lobby laws
• Act as Staff Liaison to chapter Legislative Committee

Government Relations – Regulatory Affairs

• Analyze administrative rules and determine their effect on association members and the construction industry
• Understand the administrative rules process and how best to affect that process
• Develop and implement strategies to provide for the successful outcome of administrative rule development

Government Relations – Political Affairs

• Be responsible for meeting political fundraising goals
• Distribution of political funds in accordance with association policy and applicable law
• Supervise administration of PAC and conduit accounts
• Conduct candidate surveys and candidate endorsements in accordance with association policy

Experience and Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Marketing, Labor Relations, or other similar field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience required with some experience in executing strategic business initiatives.
• Previous construction, engineering or architectural industry experience.
• Previous business/membership development experience using a variety of mediums (newsletters, websites, social media, etc.), particularly in a non-profit organization or association.
• As a merit shop advocate, has a solid understanding of the current construction industry environment.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability and willingness to travel to National Conferences throughout the year as well as between the two ABC Illinois offices (Chicago Region and Central IL Region) and across the state of Illinois to meet with members, prospects, and industry stakeholders.
• Innovative, visionary and critical thinker with proven ability to manage day-to-day operations.
• An inspiring and inclusive leadership style with experience in effectively developing teams.
• Understanding of nonprofit accounting, including development of budgets and review of financial statements
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
• A credible, confident, genuine, humble, positive yet persuasive professional
• Excellent professional writing skills
• Strong project management, detail and organizational skills.
• Familiarity with OSHA regulations and applicable labor law.