President and CEO

Jorgenson Pace has been retained to conduct this search.

About the Chamber

The New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, at 501(c)(6), is the driving force that unites the New Mexico business community to make the state a leader in industry, innovation, economic competitiveness, and overall quality of life. As the statewide business advocate, the Chamber gives its members unmatched opportunity to access and engage the state government in the decisions that affect their businesses and the economy.

Mission: Through the leadership and vision of the New Mexico business community, NMCC will drive positive change by developing and advocating for effective public policy initiatives.

Strategy: Policy, Advocacy, Education and Outreach

Motto: The Voice of New Mexico Business

Purpose: New Mexico’s near-term prosperity and long-term growth depend on a vibrant private sector. No advocate can speak better on the needs of the private sector than the private sector.

Vision: NMCC is a driving force that unites the New Mexico business community to make our state a leader in industry, innovation, economic competitiveness, and overall quality of life.

Values:

• Effective – NMCC is focused on results that benefit our member businesses and their employees throughout New Mexico
• Non-partisan – NMCC works across party and ideological lines to create positive change for New Mexico
• Inclusive – NMCC seeks out and incorporates voices from across New Mexico: from the North to the South, from rural to urban, from large industry to small business
• Ethical – NMCC’s work will be done with integrity, honesty, transparency and professionalism

The President and CEO Position

The position requires a dynamic and creative leader committed to the role of the private sector in growing the state’s economy. The ideal candidate will be able to work with the Chamber Board of Directors to execute their fiscal and policy priorities. The role also supports Chamber staff that manage the New Mexico Center for Economic Opportunity (NMCEO), and the Chamber’s 501(c)(3) foundation, which helps operate “Be Pro Be Proud,” a statewide CTE engagement program in partnership with the Department of Workforce Solutions. The position will also work with the New Mexico Organized Retail Crime Association board, a program of NMCC, to support retail and law enforcement efforts to reduce retail crime.   

NMCC was founded in 1959 and has long enjoyed an excellent reputation for promoting and lobbying for sound policy and legislative actions. The position is responsible for developing budget recommendations to the board and executing revenue goals through membership dues, event sponsorships, investment initiatives, as well as other programs. The position is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and there are currently five full time staff in addition to the President/CEO.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Serve as spokesperson and advocate for business and industry throughout the state;
• Develop long term goals and strategies for NMCC that position the organization to be a transformational leadership and advocacy organization over the next decade;
• Build an effective, executable strategy to support improvements for New Mexico’s business climate, infrastructure, innovation ecosystem and workforce and education systems;
• Maintain and grow NMCC’s leadership on organized retail crime;
• Support and grow NMCEO, the Chamber’s 501(c)(3) foundation;
• Build strong alliances with other trade, business and industry associations to facilitate a unified voice for business;
• Maintain NMCC’s reputation as a non-partisan advocate for the business community and a growing economy;
• Manage a large volunteer base and lead the efforts to keep volunteers focused and on message;
• Grow and maintain a strong membership and revenue base.

Major Duties and Responsibilities Minimum Qualifications

• Advise executive committee and board of directors on strategic direction and priorities;
• Manage and make budget recommendations to accomplish strategic priorities;
• Establish and maintain a sound organizational structure for both NMCC and NMCEO;
• Manage and align the staff to execute the Board of Director’s priorities;
• Travel the state to educate and collaborate with business leaders on key issues;
• Serve as the primary media spokesperson for NMCC;
• Support member retention through regular communication;
• Serve as a lobbyist on behalf of NMCC;
• Provide leadership for revenue generation;
• Lead on member development and recruitment.

Ideal Characteristics

• A leader with extensive experience working with all levels of government;
• A visionary leader with foresight and experience in growth management, planning and resource prioritization;
• An excellent public speaker and communicator who is willing to travel the state to representing NMCC and the business community;
• A skillful manager with extensive experience working with financials and budgets;
• A community-minded leader who is experienced at fostering and developing partnerships with business and industry, with special attention to the expansion and success of workforce, economic, and entrepreneurial programs
• A fundraiser adept at cultivating donors and new revenue streams;
• Experience working with and for a Board of Directors / executive committee;
• An individual of impeccable integrity who is an exceptional listener, open-minded, trustworthy, honest, has high moral and ethical standards and is receptive to new ideas;
• An individual with experience working with and speaking to the media.