Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Job Overview
The Chief Executive Officer is the senior leader and public face of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. The CEO is responsible for translating the Chamber's strategic direction set in partnership with the Board of Directors into organizational results, member value, and community impact. This is fundamentally an external-facing, relationship-driven leadership role: the CEO represents the Chamber across the Kelowna business community, builds the partnerships and advocacy influence that define the Chamber's value proposition, and ensures the organization operates with excellence internally.
Key Responsibilities
Board Relations, Governance & Strategic Leadership
- Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors, ensuring the Board has the information, analysis, and recommendations needed to govern effectively.
- Support board recruitment, orientation, and development in partnership with the Board Governance & Operations Manager.
- Ensure the Chamber meets all governance, legal, and compliance obligations as a not-for-profit organization.
- Lead the development and execution of the Chamber's strategic plan in partnership with the Board of Directors.
- Translate strategic priorities into annual operational plans, ensuring staff alignment and resource allocation support organizational goals.
- Monitor the operating environment (economic trends, business community needs, policy developments, and competitor activity) and advise the Board accordingly.
- Maintain overall accountability to the Board of Directors for organizational performance, governance compliance, risk management, and achievement of strategic objectives.
Organizational Leadership & Member Value
- Lead, support, and develop the Chamber's staff team, maintaining clear accountability structures, strong leadership capacity, and a collaborative, high-trust organizational culture.
- Provide leadership, direction, and performance oversight to the management team, ensuring organizational goals, strategic priorities, and Board directives are effectively implemented.
- Build a high-performing, mission-aligned team culture that attracts and retains talented staff.
- Hold overall accountability for membership growth, engagement, and value delivery, ensuring organizational activities remain aligned with member needs and Chamber objectives.
Financial Stewardship & Organizational Sustainability
- Lead the Chamber's financial planning processes, including the development and approval of the annual operating budget in partnership with the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee.
- Oversee financial performance against budget on an ongoing basis, identifying and addressing variances and risks proactively.
- Ensure sound financial controls, accounting practices, and compliance with CRA and regulatory requirements for not-for-profit organizations.
- Oversee the annual audit process, working with the external bookkeeper and auditors to ensure timely, accurate financial reporting to the Board.
- Approve and oversee significant contracts, expenditures, and organizational financial commitments within Board-delegated authority.
- Develop and maintain a sustainable financial model that balances membership revenue, event revenue, sponsorship, and other income streams to support the Chamber's long-term health.
- Provide the Board with clear, timely, and accurate financial reporting, analysis, and recommendations to support sound governance and decision-making.
- Identify opportunities for new revenue streams and programming that serve member needs and strengthen the Chamber's financial sustainability.
Advocacy, Government Relations & Public Affairs
- Lead the Chamber's policy and advocacy agenda, working closely with the Policy & Government Relations Advisor to develop, refine, and advance positions on issues affecting the Central Okanagan business community.
- Cultivate relationships with elected officials and government decision-makers at all levels to ensure the Chamber has meaningful access and influence.
- Act as the primary spokesperson for the Chamber on advocacy issues, policy positions, and organizational announcements, in collaboration with the Policy & Government Relations Advisor.
External Relations, Partnerships & Community Leadership
- Serve as the primary public representative of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce to members, government, media, business associations, and the broader community.
- Build and maintain strong, productive relationships with civic and regional leaders, provincial and federal government contacts, partner organizations, and key business stakeholders.
- Represent the Chamber at community events, public meetings, conferences, and forums, projecting a credible, professional, and engaged organizational presence.
- Represent the Chamber in coalitions, regional associations, and provincial/national chamber networks.
- Identify, develop, and manage strategic organizational partnerships that expand the Chamber's reach, resources, and relevance.
- Lead or support sponsorship and partnership negotiations for significant Chamber programs and events.
Qualifications
Required
- Senior leadership experience (7+ years), ideally in a nonprofit, association, membership organization, or public-facing business environment.
- Demonstrated track record of external relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, and community representation.
- Experience with policy development, government relations, or advocacy.
- Strong financial acumen, including experience developing and managing organizational budgets, reading financial statements, and overseeing annual audit processes.
- Proven experience in financial planning, resource allocation, and fiscal accountability in an organizational leadership role.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills able to speak credibly to business leaders, government officials, the Board, and the media.
- Proven ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver results in a small-to-medium organizational setting.
Preferred
- Experience in a chamber of commerce, business association, or similar membership-based organization.
- Established network within the Central Okanagan or broader BC business community.
- Experience with board governance and working with volunteer boards of directors.
- Familiarity with not-for-profit accounting, CRA compliance, and BC Societies Act requirements.
Core Competencies
- Strategic thinking and organizational leadership
- Financial oversight and fiscal accountability
- External relationship-building and community presence
- Advocacy and policy influence
- Partnership and revenue development
- Board and governance management
- Team leadership and culture-building
- Communication, credibility, and public representation
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, proudly celebrating 125 years of impact, is in the heart of stunning Kelowna, British Columbia surrounded by sparkling lakes, dramatic mountain landscapes, and a vibrant, thriving business community.
This is an exceptional opportunity to join a respected organization that champions local businesses, strengthens community prosperity, and fosters meaningful member engagement.
We thank all applicants for their interest with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; only selected applicants will be contacted for interviews.
Pay: $100,000.00-$120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
