The President will plan, organize, execute, and control the business of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation and the leadership program it supports with the direction of the Board of Directors. The President will be responsible for achieving excellence in the following areas: management of office and staff; coordination of Board activities; fund raising; programming; and public relations.
Responsibilities
Management
- Effectively lead, direct, and oversee all office operations
- Exhibit exemplary leadership to motivate and guide office staff
- Implement all personnel recruitment, manage their progress, and determine all terminations
- Approve budget expenditures and actively participate with the Treasurer, Finance Committee, and Finance Director in making financial decisions
- Act as Foundation agent and liaison to the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Alumni
- Exhibit personal and Foundation growth through participation in professional societies
Board of Directors
- Work closely with Executive Committee through monthly meetings, either by telephone or in person
- Provide encouragement and direction in the administration of all committee meetings and assume responsibility for minutes of these meetings, either personally or through delegation
- Plan and execute Board meetings in close cooperation with the Chairman and supervise preparation of meeting minutes through staff
- Effectively communicate activities of the Foundation and its program and staff to all members of the Board of Directors through monthly operational updates and other necessary reports
Fundraising
- Lead, plan, initiate, and support the Foundation’s development activities with the cooperation and assistance of the Planning and Development Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Executive Team Members
- Meet with Planning and Development Committee Chairperson monthly to update and coordinate essential activities
- Develop, generate, secure, and maintain financial support for the Foundation
- Prepare proposals and implement appropriate follow-through strategies to enable the Foundation to maximize available funding opportunities
- Control and upgrade the development process through work with outside professional consultants
Programming
- Plan and implement strategies in cooperation with the Education Committee and Executive Team Members
- Organize and supervise program implementation and evaluation and report on results
- Monitor program quality through seminar participant evaluation and speaker feedback
- Develop rapport and interact with program participants
- Stimulate interest throughout the state for new participation in the program
- Oversee program recruitment and selection procedures and actively participate in selection of program participants
- Evaluate and update curriculum regularly to ensure continuation of a high quality program
Public Relations
- Maintain the Foundation’s image of excellence at all levels
- Continue to work closely with alumni and donors to further their interest in and involvement with the Foundation
- Effectively represent the IALF in developing linkages and promoting the program with agricultural organizations, universities, current donors, and all other potential participants and donors
- Oversee and provide guidance for all printed materials of the IALF
Qualifications
- Demonstrated expertise and success in fund raising activities
- Proven management abilities
- Willingness to travel extensively, including have a valid passport and ability to obtain necessary visas
- Comprehensive understanding of leadership and its development
- Possession of strong networking relationships with agricultural associations and the agribusiness community
- Demonstrated success in program and project development
- Exceptional organizational and planning skills
- Demonstrated ability to establish good working relationships with international and national organizations and individuals
- Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate cooperation and accomplishment of tasks through other people
- Excellent writing and speaking skills
- Broad knowledge of agriculture and business, and awareness of key policy issues affecting agriculture
Accountability
The President is responsible to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Experience and/or Training
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, plus experience in public relations, program development, and fund raising.
Interested applicants may send their resume or vita to Foundation Board chair Dan Kelley at dkelfarm@gmail.com prior to August 10, 2017.