Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Working with the Association and Foundation Boards and staff, the President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for implementing and evolving a strategic vision that maintains and builds upon the Association’s position as the national voice of and the premier trade association for the restaurant industry, and the go-to source of training and certification for restaurants, restaurateurs and allied members and their employees. He/she has responsibility and accountability for the financial, administrative and programmatic activities of the Association, its operating divisions and its subsidiaries. The President and CEO is a public face of the Association, serving as a chief advocate and a primary spokesperson for the restaurant industry. 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to The Association Board of Directors through the Association Executive Committee and the Board’s Chair
• The Foundation Board of Trustees through the Foundation Executive Committee and the Board’s Chair
• Direct reports Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Financial and People Officer
• General Counsel
• President, Foundation
• Executive Vice President, Public/Government Affairs
• Manager, Executive Office Operations
• Association Board of Directors
• Foundation Board of Trustees
• Council of State Restaurant Association Board
• State Restaurant Association Executives
• Current and prospective members
• Other related national trade associations
• Relevant NGOs and other external stakeholder groups
• Relevant legislators and regulators
• Key restaurateurs, including CEOs of major US restaurant companies

DESIRED OUTCOMES

 Execution (and, where appropriate over time, enhancement) of the Association’s strategic plan to achieve growth, build reputation and expand influence by 

o delivering effective advocacy, member engagement, core business growth, new business development and strategic investment identification and implementation, 

o ensuring a sustained financial model that supports and enhances the Association’s advocacy agenda and an efficient and appropriate infrastructure, and 

o promoting the industry to multiple stakeholders, including members, prospective members, industry leaders and allies, government representatives, media, and consumers. 

 Execution (and, where appropriate over time, enhancement) of the Foundation’s mission to attract, empower and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice leaders by leading the multilevel workforce development initiatives for the industry. 

 Retention, development and, as needed, attraction of extraordinary talent.

 Working with State Restaurant Associations, continue to build the unified leadership and representation of the industry. 

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

• 15+ years of senior management experience; strong business acumen
• A track record of success driving the financial sustainability of an organization of comparable scale, scope, and complexity 
• Association (or equivalent) leadership experience
• Leadership experience in a membership organization context, resulting in the ability to proactively galvanize diverse groups of stakeholders with sometimes disparate views and interests around an agenda 
• Political savvy
• Experience/knowledge of the political process, with established relationships and credibility at the highest levels in Washington, DC 
• Experience serving as a spokesperson
• Effectively and credibly communicates to a range of external stakeholders, including relevant policymakers and regulators, the Boards, members, coalitions, NGOs, and media 
• Undergraduate degree required
• Advanced degree preferred

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Strategic Thinking

 Works with the Boards and the broader membership to align around the strategic plan and translates that plan into a clear direction for the team and all stakeholders. Drives its successful execution using Boardapproved dashboard metrics. 

 Anticipates future challenges and opportunities and proactively considers the implications of environmental dynamics and marketplace realities for current and potential members. 

 Engages the State Restaurant Associations in a partnership to serve the needs of the mutual members, fostering a true business and political partnership that leverages the collective power of the industry. 

 Serves as a counselor and thoughtful provocateur on questions of governance and best practices, while modeling the traits of a “servant leader” – someone who builds consensus and leads all constituencies to advance the Association and Foundation’s vision and mission. 

Collaborating and Influencing

 Plays a leadership role in the industry’s overall political strategy, in consultation with the Board and the Board’s Advocacy Strategy Committee; represents and advances the Association’s agenda on the Hill, with the Administration, and with key regulatory agencies. 

 Nurtures the Association's political ties with the existing and future Administrations, positioning the Association to be successful in a bi-partisan environment. Partners with State Restaurant Associations to advance the industry’s legislative and regulatory challenges at the state and local levels. 

 Effectively navigates sometimes competing interests to drive consensus among a diverse and large group of stakeholders (members, State Restaurant Associations, relevant business partners) on the Association’s and industry’s priorities. 

 Builds and leads coalitions with like-minded organizations as appropriate.

 Serves as a credible and compelling spokesperson before the media, policymakers, regulators, current and prospective members, advocacy organizations and other key stakeholders on behalf of the organization and the industry. 

 Articulates the Association and Foundation’s value in a thorough yet concise way that compels new and existing members at the highest levels to stay – or become – invested and engaged. 

Business Acumen

 Accountable for the successful delivery of business results for the margin-producing portion of the enterprise that represents the preponderance of the Association’s revenue base; emphasizes performance improvement, productivity and bottom-line results in line with well-thought-out multiyear business plans. 

 Creates an entrepreneurial environment that fosters the development of programs, products and services that position the Association to enhance its value proposition and relevance to its members. 

 Leverages technology and best business practices throughout the organization to enhance efficiencies and financial success. 

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 Unquestioned integrity and ethics; an individual of strong character who will build the trust of others both within the Association and Foundation, among the member companies and across the industry. 

 High energy level and a strong work ethic; driven by the mission and the fundamental societal importance of the industry. 

 An exceptional and patient listener; ensures every voice is heard and respected with the ability to synthesize sometimes divergent input. 

 Understands and emulates the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the industry.

 Exceptional communications skills, with the ability to educate, motivate, and influence constituencies to action, and to persuade audiences and articulately convey the mission of the Association and Foundation. 

 A leader who blends charisma with humility, demonstrating a pragmatic and proactive can-do attitude.

 Bright, affable and intellectually curious, with a "soul for service." Able to be a quick study in a variety of matters impacting the industry and the organization today and tomorrow. 

 Decisive, with a bias for action, while also ensuring stakeholder alignment.

 A leader who is as comfortable talking with the President of the United States as he/she is with any restaurant employee. 

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS

If you wish to submit application materials or nominate someone to serve as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Restaurant Association and Chief Executive Officer of the National Restaurant  Educational Foundation, please email: RestaurantCEO@SpencerStuart.com