Submit resumes to RCoCSearch@gmail.com First review of resumes - March 1, 2024
SUMMARY
The Rockdale Chamber of Commerce is seeking resumes from qualified individuals for the position of Executive Director.
The Chamber is seeking an entrepreneurial person to help grow our local business community, bring the Chamber to its fullest potential through the implementation of its newly developed mission statement, vision statement, and strategic plan.
The current director, who has been in this position for 10 years, is retiring and will transition to a part-time support role to assist thenew director.
THE COMMUNITY
Rockdale, Texas, is located in the ‘Texas Triangle’, equidistant from the major markets of Austin, Bryan/ College Station, and Waco.
Rockdale was home to an ALCOA aluminumsmelting plant - at one time the largest in NorthAmerica. The ALCOA plant closed in 2008 and thenearby coal-fired power plant closed in 2013. The community struggled to recover from this economic setback.
In Fall 2021, Samsung announced the selection of nearby Taylor, Texas, as the location of their new semiconductor chip fabrication complex. Additionally, the 31,000 acre former ALCOA property sold to a development group. This has triggered investment interest in Rockdale. The Rockdale Municipal Development District, the economic development organization for Rockdale, is working with a private developer to activate a new 550 acre industrial park. A new 672-unit subdivision recently broke ground and will soon begin construction of the first phase of new homes - the first major residential development in Rockdale in nearly 45 years.
The population of Rockdale is expected to reach 30,000 within the next 20 years.
The City is undertaking efforts to improve its appearance in order to attract investors and new residents.
Rockdale will also be celebrating its 150th anniversary as an incorporated city in the summer of 2024. The Chamber is hosting a drone light show in lieu of its bi-annual Independence Day fireworks show.
Executive Director Search
THE CHAMBER
The mission of the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce - a membership organization - is to deliver value-based membership service through the implementation of its vision: strengthening local business and community through advocacy, education and support.
In conjunction with promoting local businesses, the Chamber hosts a multitude of community events, specifically the Rockdale
Farmers Market, Easter Egg Hunt, the bi-annual Fourth of July Celebration, and the annual Christmas parade . The Chamber is staffed by the full-time Executive Director and one part- time position.
As part of the rebranding of the Chamber, the Board recently approved a new strategic plan that emphasizes member services, advocacy, sustainability, and governance. In preparation of its rebranding, the Chamber solicited feedback from its members and is implementing quarterly lunch-and-learns for members on business-related topics, increased networking opportunities, member visitations, and outreach. The goal of the rebranding is to gain
recognition as an energetic organization who is connected to the community and delivers value to its members.
The Chamber currently receives a large portion of its funding from the City of Rockdale’s Hotel Occupancy Taxes (HOT) and operates the Visitor’s Center at its office.
Finally, the Board realizes that the organization needs to be financially sustainable to reduce its dependence on local HOT funds. As such, the new strategic plan includes evaluating the profit of each event and activity sponsored by the Chamber. Through this evaluation, the Board will continue to make recommendations on the continuity of current events, fundraising activities, and the recently implemented membership investment structure. Each of these factors are critical to the future of the Chamber.
The new Director will be charged with executing on this strategic plan and bringing a high level of energy and enthusiasm to reinvigorate the organization.
The Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors who oversees the Executive Director and who is currently tasked with the recruitment of this position. The Board will be making the hiring decision for the position.
Executive Director Search
ROCKDALE SCHOOLS
Rockdale ISD’s mission is to Empower and Challenge all students to Achieve personal excellence for college and career success.
The Rockdale community is served by the Rockdale Independent School District and provides a great education for all students.
Rockdale ISD operates four campuses:Rockdale Elementary School (grades PK-1),Rockdale Intermediate School (grades 2-5), Rockdale Junior High (grades 6-8), and Rockdale High School (grades 9-12).
Rockdale ISD currently has a classification of 3A and enrolls approximately 1,500 students..
In May 2023, Rockdale ISD voters approved a $30 million bond issue to pay for school campus improvements. Approximately half of the bond proceeds will be used to renovate the Junior High campus. The balance of the money will be used for security upgrades and other maintenance items.
Major campus improvements are expected to occur in the future along with construction of a new elementary campus at the new subdivision.
Rockdale ISD acquired the old hospital and isplanning to convert the facility to a new College andCareer Academy with Temple College, who will also operate a satellite campus.
Rockdale High School was renovated in 2009, adding new classrooms and labs as well as a new gymnasium.
Executive Director Search
HOUSING AND RESIDENCY
Housing costs in the Rockdale area are below the market rates found in the Austin and Bryan/College Station area.
D.R. Horton will soon begin construction on the new subdivision with the first batch of homes ready for purchase around June 2024. This new subdivision has a 13 acre reserved site for a future elementary school.
Residency in Rockdale is not a requirement for the position, but residency in the greater Rockdale/Southwest Milam County area is encouraged.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for this position is someone who brings a high degree of enthusiasm and passion to the Chamber and Rockdale area. We are seeking someone who is not afraid to challenge the Chamber’s status quo in order to move the organization forward. We want someone who thinks entrepreneurially and has the ability to increase revenue for the Chamber through increased membership, services, and events.
Ideal candidate features:
Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or related field from an accredited college or university.
Between 3-7 years experience working in a rural or suburban Texas Chamber of Commerce, either as a senior staff member or Director. The desired experience will be in membership development, event planning and promotion, community advocacy, business development, and community promotions.
Possessing some form of Chamber of Commerce certification is preferred but not mandatory. The Board is committed to selecting someone who has the desire and ability to expand their skills and actively pursue additional Chamber knowledge and certifications. Further, the Board is committed to paying the costs of continuing education, which includes, but is not limited to: conference attendance and travel, education materials, and certification test fees, if applicable.
Executive Director Search
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NETWORKING
The Board desires a Chamber Director who is known and connected. The Board will pay the costs of attending professional conferences for Chamber professionals. As a component of this position, the Executive Director is expected to visit existing and future business members as well as networking with peers among neighboring Chambers.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director will serve as the face of the Chamber and an ambassador for the community. The following is a representative list of the Executive Director’s job duties:
Initiate activities in support of the strategic plan, including but not limited to the creation of an annual Program of Work
Hire/terminate all staff, as necessary
Allocate Chamber resources, including staff time, to accomplish the Program of Work
Manage the affairs of the Chamber
Provide orientation sessions for the Board, Officers, and committees
Keep Chamber policy documents current
Draft the Board and committees agendas
Advise the Board Chair and keep them informed of issues affecting the Chamber
Provide the Board with monthly activity reports
Maintain effective internal and external public relations
Utilize partnerships with local agencies, as appropriate
KEY SKILL SETS REQUIRED
The successful candidate will be able to have demonstrated skills and expertise in the following areas:
Communication skills - both written and verbal, including the ability to communicate across multiple media such as social media, video, audio, email, and newsletters.
Membership development - the ability to get into the community and communicate the value of Chamber membership so that businesses and individuals will want to become involved in the Chamber.
Membership services - possessing an awareness of the different types of services that Chambers can bring. Remaining current on trends affecting Chamber membership including new membership service offerings.
Board relations - experience working with a diverse board of directors and providing leadership to the group.
Event planning - planning and executing large and small community events. This will include the ability to create an event concept, plan through execution, and evaluation of the event.
Computer skills - knowledge of computer hardware and software such as Microsoft Office, internet research, Quickbooks.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary for this position is based on skills and qualifications with an expected salary range between $45,000 to $60,000.
Based on performance, a generous bonus package will be offered at the end of the year to supplement the base salary. Vacation and holidays are included in the employment package with a relocation reimbursement stipend up to $2,500.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants interested in applying for the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director position should email a cover letter and resume to RCoCSearch@gmail.com.
Executive Director Search
HIRING PROCESS
The Board of Directors desires to make a decision quickly and have the new Executive Director start as soon as possible.
The deadline for submitting resumes is March 1, 2024. The Board will review the resumes and invite a group of candidates to submit short written answers to a series of questions. Upon review, the Board may further narrow the candidates by conducting virtual interviews with the finalists invited to in-person interviews.
The goal of the Board is to offer the position to the new Executive Director no later than March 31 with the start date at or near the annual Chamber banquet on April 25.
QUESTIONS
All questions relating to the Executive Director search should be addressed to Jim Gibson at jimgibson95@gmail.com