The Enterprise Center, a private non-profit organization inChattanooga, invites applications for the position of President andCEO. The successful candidate will provide visionary and innovativeleadership for the organization and will ensure operationalexcellence in delivering on its commitments for allconstituents.

The Enterprise Center (TEC) The vision of the Enterprise is to create lasting change and abetter quality of life for everyone in Chattanooga and HamiltonCounty, by bringing together people, organizations, and technology.We leverage technology to create opportunity for all residents,especially those who have not had equitable or adequate support togrow and develop.

Position Summary TEC operates at the intersection of technology, equity,knowledge, and opportunity, so the ideal candidate is onecomfortable with rapid change, who brings community voice to thetable, and who effectively engages with local, regional andnational stakeholders to improve the quality of life for allresidents in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

The President and CEO of TEC will report to the ExecutiveCommittee and the Board of Directors. The President and CEO has theoverarching responsibility to ensure that TEC: Leads with an active vision for its long-term future, acohesive and clear mission that will fulfill the vision, andstrategic goals and objectives that deliver measurable progress onthat mission guided by continuous evaluation and freshthinking.Creates and nurtures a wide range of strategic partnerships andrelationships at the local, regional, and national levels,reflecting the nature of the work that requires high levelcooperation, collaboration, information sharing and combinedresources.Manages its programs, assets, and finances with operationalexcellence and fiscal stewardship to achieve desired communityimpacts.Continues to be properly resourced, managed, and in compliancewith all laws and grant requirements from both a financial andhuman capital perspective.Provides clear communication and effective support for theBoard of Directors, the Board’s Executive Committee, and for theTEC staff and contractors. Specific Responsibilities Executive Leadership &ManagementLead the ongoing development, evaluation, and communication ofTEC’s strategies in alignment with its mission.Recruit, develop, and manage staff and consultants to createhigh performing, collaborative, and innovative work teams.Ensure TEC follows all applicable and appropriate humanresource requirements, policies, and procedures.Steward ongoing evaluation of all programs, partnerships, andinitiatives for rapid and flexible program changes and mid-coursecorrections.Assure that appropriate goals are set that align with themission, objectives, and strategies.

Manage staff to meetthese expectations.Lead organizational and programmatic level plan for effectiveand timely collection of impact data.Oversee day-to-day operations of the organizations and performgeneral management duties. Support Board GovernanceIdentify and actively engage with board members helping toensure a high-functioning, collaborative board that is broadlyrepresentative of local stakeholders.Meet quarterly with TEC’s full Board of Directors to provideupdates on the organization’s activities, achievements, andfinancial position and to obtain Board guidance for TEC’s programsand opportunities. Convene and communicate effectively with TEC’s ExecutiveCommittee monthly, providing any relevant and timely informationabout programs, partners, team, and finances.Implement the Board of Directors’ policies andprocedures.

External Relations & CommunicationFunction as TEC’s primary communicator and spokesperson.Lead efforts to further tell TEC’s story through a strongbrand, story, and impact metrics.Create and nurture top-level partnerships and collaborationslocally, regionally, and nationally.Serve as a primary resource to local officials on mattersrelated to the innovation economy, workforce development, anddigital equity. Program Development & DeliveryLeverage strategic frameworks to determine the development ofnew programs and/or the sunsetting of existing programs.Steward a culture of operational excellence, ensuring thatprograms meet or exceed expectations and grant requirements.Ensure program managers support the timely and appropriatecollection of program level impact data.

Resource Development & Financial ManagementMaintain an effective annual budget cycle from all sourcesensuring alignment with the mayor’s office on the process.Develop an annual budget, approved by the Board.Seek ongoing support from existing funding sources and pursuegrants and investments from new sources.Analyze sources of funding and secure grants and investments asappropriate.Ensure that there is adherence to sound bookkeeping andaccounting procedures. Administer funds according to an approved budget and monitormonthly cash flow.Provide timely and accurate financial reports to the TECExecutive Committee and Board of Directors. Preferred QualificationsA reputation as a capable and visionary leader.Experience leading and managing an organization wheretechnology-driven innovation was a focus for communitybenefit.Demonstrated success in driving digital equity andinclusion.Success obtaining grants and governmental funding.Experience developing, refining, and implementingorganizational objectives and strategies.Demonstrated financial management ability.National exposure to similar organizations.Experience working with the public and private sectors, as wellas foundations and nonprofits.Strong collaboration and communications skills in a diverse setof communities.Demonstrated understanding of researchers, researchinstitutions, and community-based opportunities for research isdesirable but not required.Proven people management experience, including performancemanagement.A passion for staff development.Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent career experience. The Enterprise Center’s History & Future Below are excerpts from the organization’s recent strategic plancompleted in 2023 that reflect the evolution of theorganization.

The Enterprise Center’s current focus was born in early 2014alongside the establishment of The City of Chattanooga’s InnovationDistrict. The vision for the Innovation District was to leverageChattanooga’s advanced digital assets in service of the city’sculture of ingenuity and entrepreneurship. This would allow thecity to improve the district, create novel uses for technology, andsupport a knowledge-based economy.

The Enterprise Center’s early work focused on supporting thedevelopment of the Edney Innovation Center, as well as a vibrantcommunity and public space in the surrounding area. The EnterpriseCenter also focused on digital equity for all Chattanoogans throughTech Goes Home and a partnership with Hamilton County to bring theinternet into school childrens’ lives, homes and education. Inthese early days, The Enterprise Center was building one of itsdistinctive competences: bringing together diverse organizations toensure that everyone can benefit and gain opportunity fromtechnology.

Over the next several years, The Enterprise Center grew itsprograms and established Chattanooga as a testbed for thedevelopment of next-generation smart products, processes, andservices. Through partnerships with UTC, EPB, Co.lab, ErlangerHealth, Hamilton County, and the City of Chattanooga, TheEnterprise Center led the formation of the Chattanooga Smart CityCollaborative.

In 2020, COVID-19 upended lives and established systemsaround the world and highlighted what The Enterprise Center andthose involved in digital equity had always known: broadband accessand digital literacy are a basic human right and are integral toeveryone’s opportunity to succeed and grow. The Enterprise Centerimmediately mobilized its strong partnerships to accelerate itswork in research and development, the Innovation District anddigital equity. The resulting efforts connected students at home,brought healthcare to people through telemedicine, supportedentrepreneurs and small businesses, and created hope in the localcommunity. At the same time, digital equity became a national andglobal conversation and The Enterprise Center was positioned tobroaden its impact through partnerships and deepen its commitmentto a just society.

The Enterprise Center is now at the epicenter of a nationalgoal to provide broadband as an enabling technology to provideopportunities to everyone. Through years of commitment and hardwork, The Enterprise Center is highly regarded as a valuablepartner with a unique ability to create and manage collaborationsthat deliver results. Community members and partners see a strongrole for The Enterprise Center in the future and view theorganization as a key strategic partner.

The Enterprise Center stands at an inflection point.Significant funding and attention are flowing to our work and thedemand for services and expertise is high. We want to be deeplyintentional about how we fulfill our mission and vision to improvethe lives of residents through technology; how we interact with thecommunity and partners; and how we create a high-performing teamthat will spur growth in communities across the region, at TheEnterprise Center, and beyond.

Compensation This is a full-time, fully in-person position with competitivebenefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k)contributions. The salary range is $150,000-$175,000.

Application Process The Search Committee will begin accepting applications on March4, 2024 with a deadline date of April 17, 2024. Applicants mustsubmit a current resume and a cover letter describing relevantexperience and interest in the position. Submission of materialsvia email is strongly encouraged. Nominations should include thecontact information of the nominee.

Applications or questions should be sent to ceosearch@theenterprisectr.org. PandoLogic. Keywords: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Location: Chattanooga, TN - 37402

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