The Enterprise Center, a private non-profit organization in Chattanooga, invites applications for the position of President and CEO. The successful candidate will provide visionary and innovative leadership for the organization and will ensure operational excellence in delivering on its commitments for all constituents.
The Enterprise Center (TEC)
The vision of the Enterprise is to create lasting change and a better quality of life for everyone in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, by bringing together people, organizations, and technology. We leverage technology to create opportunity for all residents, especially those who have not had equitable or adequate support to grow and develop.
Position Summary
TEC operates at the intersection of technology, equity, knowledge, and opportunity, so the ideal candidate is one comfortable with rapid change, who brings community voice to the table, and who effectively engages with local, regional and national stakeholders to improve the quality of life for all residents in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
The President and CEO of TEC will report to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. The President and CEO has the overarching responsibility to ensure that TEC:
- Leads with an active vision for its long-term future, a cohesive and clear mission that will fulfill the vision, and strategic goals and objectives that deliver measurable progress on that mission guided by continuous evaluation and fresh thinking.
- Creates and nurtures a wide range of strategic partnerships and relationships at the local, regional, and national levels, reflecting the nature of the work that requires high level cooperation, collaboration, information sharing and combined resources.
- Manages its programs, assets, and finances with operational excellence and fiscal stewardship to achieve desired community impacts.
- Continues to be properly resourced, managed, and in compliance with all laws and grant requirements from both a financial and human capital perspective.
- Provides clear communication and effective support for the Board of Directors, the Board’s Executive Committee, and for the TEC staff and contractors.
Specific Responsibilities
Executive Leadership & Management
- Lead the ongoing development, evaluation, and communication of TEC’s strategies in alignment with its mission.
- Recruit, develop, and manage staff and consultants to create high performing, collaborative, and innovative work teams.
- Ensure TEC follows all applicable and appropriate human resource requirements, policies, and procedures.
- Steward ongoing evaluation of all programs, partnerships, and initiatives for rapid and flexible program changes and mid-course corrections.
- Assure that appropriate goals are set that align with the mission, objectives, and strategies. Manage staff to meet these expectations.
- Lead organizational and programmatic level plan for effective and timely collection of impact data.
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the organizations and perform general management duties.
Support Board Governance
- Identify and actively engage with board members helping to ensure a high-functioning, collaborative board that is broadly representative of local stakeholders.
- Meet quarterly with TEC’s full Board of Directors to provide updates on the organization’s activities, achievements, and financial position and to obtain Board guidance for TEC’s programs and opportunities.
- Convene and communicate effectively with TEC’s Executive Committee monthly, providing any relevant and timely information about programs, partners, team, and finances.
- Implement the Board of Directors’ policies and procedures.
External Relations & Communication
- Function as TEC’s primary communicator and spokesperson.
- Lead efforts to further tell TEC’s story through a strong brand, story, and impact metrics.
- Create and nurture top-level partnerships and collaborations locally, regionally, and nationally.
- Serve as a primary resource to local officials on matters related to the innovation economy, workforce development, and digital equity.
Program Development & Delivery
- Leverage strategic frameworks to determine the development of new programs and/or the sunsetting of existing programs.
- Steward a culture of operational excellence, ensuring that programs meet or exceed expectations and grant requirements.
- Ensure program managers support the timely and appropriate collection of program level impact data.
Resource Development & Financial Management
- Maintain an effective annual budget cycle from all sources ensuring alignment with the mayor’s office on the process.
- Develop an annual budget, approved by the Board.
- Seek ongoing support from existing funding sources and pursue grants and investments from new sources.
- Analyze sources of funding and secure grants and investments as appropriate.
- Ensure that there is adherence to sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures.
- Administer funds according to an approved budget and monitor monthly cash flow.
- Provide timely and accurate financial reports to the TEC Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Preferred Qualifications
- A reputation as a capable and visionary leader.
- Experience leading and managing an organization where technology-driven innovation was a focus for community benefit.
- Demonstrated success in driving digital equity and inclusion.
- Success obtaining grants and governmental funding.
- Experience developing, refining, and implementing organizational objectives and strategies.
- Demonstrated financial management ability.
- National exposure to similar organizations.
- Experience working with the public and private sectors, as well as foundations and nonprofits.
- Strong collaboration and communications skills in a diverse set of communities.
- Demonstrated understanding of researchers, research institutions, and community-based opportunities for research is desirable but not required.
- Proven people management experience, including performance management.
- A passion for staff development.
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent career experience.
The Enterprise Center’s History & Future
Below are excerpts from the organization’s recent strategic plan completed in 2023 that reflect the evolution of the organization.
The Enterprise Center’s current focus was born in early 2014 alongside the establishment of The City of Chattanooga’s Innovation District. The vision for the Innovation District was to leverage Chattanooga’s advanced digital assets in service of the city’s culture of ingenuity and entrepreneurship. This would allow the city to improve the district, create novel uses for technology, and support a knowledge-based economy.
The Enterprise Center’s early work focused on supporting the development of the Edney Innovation Center, as well as a vibrant community and public space in the surrounding area. The Enterprise Center also focused on digital equity for all Chattanoogans through Tech Goes Home and a partnership with Hamilton County to bring the internet into school childrens’ lives, homes and education. In these early days, The Enterprise Center was building one of its distinctive competences: bringing together diverse organizations to ensure that everyone can benefit and gain opportunity from technology.
Over the next several years, The Enterprise Center grew its programs and established Chattanooga as a testbed for the development of next-generation smart products, processes, and services. Through partnerships with UTC, EPB, Co.lab, Erlanger Health, Hamilton County, and the City of Chattanooga, The Enterprise Center led the formation of the Chattanooga Smart City Collaborative.
In 2020, COVID-19 upended lives and established systems around the world and highlighted what The Enterprise Center and those involved in digital equity had always known: broadband access and digital literacy are a basic human right and are integral to everyone’s opportunity to succeed and grow. The Enterprise Center immediately mobilized its strong partnerships to accelerate its work in research and development, the Innovation District and digital equity. The resulting efforts connected students at home, brought healthcare to people through telemedicine, supported entrepreneurs and small businesses, and created hope in the local community. At the same time, digital equity became a national and global conversation and The Enterprise Center was positioned to broaden its impact through partnerships and deepen its commitment to a just society.
The Enterprise Center is now at the epicenter of a national goal to provide broadband as an enabling technology to provide opportunities to everyone. Through years of commitment and hard work, The Enterprise Center is highly regarded as a valuable partner with a unique ability to create and manage collaborations that deliver results. Community members and partners see a strong role for The Enterprise Center in the future and view the organization as a key strategic partner.
The Enterprise Center stands at an inflection point. Significant funding and attention are flowing to our work and the demand for services and expertise is high. We want to be deeply intentional about how we fulfill our mission and vision to improve the lives of residents through technology; how we interact with the community and partners; and how we create a high-performing team that will spur growth in communities across the region, at The Enterprise Center, and beyond.
Compensation
This is a full-time, fully in-person position with competitive benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) contributions. The salary range is $150,000-$175,000.
Application Process
The Search Committee will begin accepting applications on March 4, 2024 with a deadline date of April 17, 2024. Applicants must submit a current resume and a cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position. Submission of materials via email is strongly encouraged. Nominations should include the contact information of the nominee.
Applications or questions should be sent to ceosearch@theenterprisectr.org.
