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Executive Director
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ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Nebraska needs to continue to grow a thriving, unified technology sector to drive its economy, compete for top talent and prepare to solve the challenges of tomorrow. A solid foundation has been built: Nebraska outputs nearly $4.5 billion in GDP from the information technology sector. Despite ambitious goals by government and business leaders to grow technology businesses and add jobs, Nebraska’s technology community isn’t yet reaching its full potential.
Enter Tech Nebraska. Formed in 2023 in partnership with the NE Chamber, Tech Nebraska will convene technology partners, foster a more diverse and inclusive technology workforce and advocate for pro-growth, tech-focused public policies spanning from Scottsbluff to Omaha, Valentine to McCook.
Among the group’s initial key goals are:
Tech Nebraska’s mission is Cultivating Nebraska’s tech community to drive collaboration, growth and policy.
To achieve this mission, it will:
Enter Tech Nebraska. Formed in 2023 in partnership with the NE Chamber, Tech Nebraska will convene technology partners, foster a more diverse and inclusive technology workforce and advocate for pro-growth, tech-focused public policies spanning from Scottsbluff to Omaha, Valentine to McCook.
Among the group’s initial key goals are:
- Convening and connecting Nebraska’s tech community and leaders;
- Promoting growth in Nebraska’s technology and business communities;
- Promoting greater technology innovation and enablement of Nebraska’s core industries;
- Growing DEI efforts in the technology landscape of the state
- Influencing legislation on federal, state and local levels
Tech Nebraska’s mission is Cultivating Nebraska’s tech community to drive collaboration, growth and policy.
To achieve this mission, it will:
- Convene technology leaders to create an agenda that is pro-growth, pro-technology and pro-business
- Create statewide partnerships and efforts that advance the above organizational goals Influence legislation on federal, state and local levels to foster an environment that creates new technology businesses and jobs
THE POSITION
Executive Director of Tech Nebraska
The Executive Director of Tech Nebraska will provide strategic leadership for the organization and has primary responsibility to support growth, sustainability and global competitiveness of Nebraska’s technology-based economy through advocacy, collaboration and education. With an eye to educating, uniting, influencing and building Nebraska’s technology community statewide, the Executive Director of Tech Nebraska is a key player in driving innovation and growth.
The Director is responsible for delivering programs that align with the needs of member businesses, organizations and their technology leaders; developing key partnerships between industry, academia, philanthropic, and government institutions; and developing programming for Tech Nebraska’s future. He or she is also responsible for growing membership.
This role is for a leader who seeks to make an impact throughout the region by meeting the changing needs and challenges of its diverse membership. The Executive Director must be comfortable with assessing and recommending changes, both internal and external, to the organization in its foundational years. He or she will be a positive force, overseeing and cultivating positive employee culture focused on collaboration, creativity and innovation. The Executive Director is both visionary and hands-on. He or she will have an inclusive style to listen and respond to pressing issues throughout the organization and Nebraska.
The Executive Director of Tech Nebraska will provide strategic leadership for the organization and has primary responsibility to support growth, sustainability and global competitiveness of Nebraska’s technology-based economy through advocacy, collaboration and education. With an eye to educating, uniting, influencing and building Nebraska’s technology community statewide, the Executive Director of Tech Nebraska is a key player in driving innovation and growth.
The Director is responsible for delivering programs that align with the needs of member businesses, organizations and their technology leaders; developing key partnerships between industry, academia, philanthropic, and government institutions; and developing programming for Tech Nebraska’s future. He or she is also responsible for growing membership.
This role is for a leader who seeks to make an impact throughout the region by meeting the changing needs and challenges of its diverse membership. The Executive Director must be comfortable with assessing and recommending changes, both internal and external, to the organization in its foundational years. He or she will be a positive force, overseeing and cultivating positive employee culture focused on collaboration, creativity and innovation. The Executive Director is both visionary and hands-on. He or she will have an inclusive style to listen and respond to pressing issues throughout the organization and Nebraska.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
● Strategic Leadership
● Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a strategic plan in conjunction with the NE Chamber, executive and independent steering committee and staff, that provides clear priorities to protect and grow the technology industry in Nebraska. Develop and oversee excellence in yearly planning and the operation of the strategic plan.
- Oversee all communication and marketing campaigns to make sure they align with strategic priorities and the overall vision of Tech Nebraska.
- Create strategies that drive influence regarding state policy and funding to ensure ongoing growth and development of the technology industry in Nebraska.
- Set a strategy for organizational advancement.
- Develop all of Tech Nebraska’s initiatives aimed at cultivation, procurement and maintenance of the organization’s industry investors and sponsors, and maintain those relationships and initiatives.
- Participate in the growth and retention of a member base, while also generating new and innovative offerings to create connections, expand the technology ecosystem and build strong, successful relationships.
- Act as the chief spokesperson for Tech Nebraska, communicating on issues that support the organization’s goals and priorities.
- Create valuable connections and strong consensus both inside Tech Nebraska and across the state, act as an advocate for technology and create greater visibility among the constituents of the technology industry throughout the state.
- Establish credibility, build trust, balance, and support technology industry interests throughout Tech Nebraska and within statewide stakeholder groups.
- Develop a committee structure to optimize performance, goal achievement and engagement.
- Foster diversity in steering committee membership and build a succession plan.
- Prioritize key relationships among community partners and stakeholders.
- Build support from government, education and community leaders and institutions.
- Manage financial functions, including an annual budget, allocation of funds and mid- and long-term forecasting and planning.
- Demonstrate management of complex organizational and administrative issues while maintaining a strong course toward the mission and core values of Tech Nebraska and its key stakeholders.
- Enable personal growth of staff and retention metrics.
- Work well with the NE Chamber leadership, as well as the Tech Nebraska steering committee, to create and execute operational plans that involve the systems, processes and personnel needed to advance the organization and its goals.
- The Executive Director reports to the steering committee of Tech Nebraska while also being a part of the NE Chamber organization, coordinating with the NE Chamber President. The director will be responsible for building out the initial team, including the development of roles such as operations, marketing, communications and administrative functions.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Executive Director will bring proven leadership, business acumen and relationship management skills to Tech Nebraska. They will have a commitment to the mission. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and characteristics:
● Essential Qualifications
● Essential Qualifications
- More than ten years of senior management experience in a non-profit, for-profit or government organization.
- Bachelor’s Degree required; MBA or Master’s degree preferred
- Ability to direct the organization’s financial and budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, maintain positive outcomes and increase efficiency.
- Fiscal planning and management experience.
- Ability to cultivate a strong external presence through community involvement.
- Ability to create, direct, plan and implement policies, objectives and activities of the organization to ensure continuing operations, maximize return on investment and increase impact and successful outcomes.
- A high degree of ethical conduct, integrity, confidentiality and professionalism.
- Passion for and/or experience in the technology industry.
- Interest or experience leading a member or professional organization.
- A commitment to the value that member organizations bring to the community.
- Proven experience growing an organization on a regional scale.
- Experience with lobbying and government relations.
- Ability to develop excellent relationships with members and recruit and retain member organizations across technology types.
- Passion for evolving member needs, interests and ideas for learning, connection and change.
- Skills in working with a steering committee and other constituents with a high ability to cultivate relationships.
- Thought leadership in the technology space.
- A spirit of lifelong learning.
- A leadership style of awareness, presence, authenticity, empathy and clarity.
- Experience in building an organizational culture with a high level of coaching, employee engagement and collaboration.
- A positive approach to taking an organization through change.
- Outstanding communications skills.
- Excellence in external relations, including public speaking to a variety of audiences.
- Ability to build and retain strong, cross-functional teams.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Office space, equipment and standard employee benefits offered through the NE Chamber. Insurance options provided include health, dental, basic and supplemental life, and long-term disability. Other benefits included are 401(k) plan, vacation, sick leave, and competitive wage package.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information and to apply for the position, please contact:info@nechamber.com
