President and Chief Executive Officer
Client Overview
The Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) is conducting a search for its next President and CEO. Founded in 1989, AESP is a member-based association dedicated to improving the delivery and implementation of energy efficiency, demand-side management, and demand-response programs. AESP provides professional development programs, access to a network of energy practitioners and promotes the transfer of knowledge and experience. The organization has a revenue budget of nearly $2.6 million, a staff of 10 and around 2,000 members. AESP is headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. This position may work either from the headquarters location or virtually, with a preference for candidates who can easily travel up to 1-2 times per month to work in the Phoenix office as needed. Sterling Martin Associates is assisting with this search.
For more information on AESP, please visit https://www.aesp.org.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The President and CEO is responsible for the overall strategic vision, administration, and management of the organization including all member programs and business operations. S/he is responsible for strategic planning and organizational performance and provides oversight of operations, policy development, personnel and fiscal management, public and member relations, and coordination of Board activities. Direct reports to the CEO include the Chief Operating Officer, Vice President, Finance & Administration and the Vice President, Content & Research.
The President and CEO partners with the AESP Board of Directors (Board) who are together responsible for the success of AESP. The Board and CEO assure AESP’s relevance to the North American energy efficiency/services industry and the energy efficiency community. The CEO ensures the accomplishment of AESP’s mission, vision, and goals, and the accountability of AESP to many diverse constituents.
The AESP Board delegates responsibility for management of day-to-day operations to the CEO along with the authority to carry out those responsibilities. The CEO provides processes, direction, guidance, and counsel enabling the Board to carry out its functions of governance and planning. The CEO is directly accountable to the Board of Directors through its elected Board Chair.
Responsibilities
Innovation, Vision, Leadership Planning:
- Responsible for developing and leading strategic innovation to uncover ways to improve member value and productivity.
- Leads marketing, communication and innovative outreach to members and stakeholders to improve AESP’s strategic and financial future.
- Guides Board of Directors activities in strategic planning, operational planning, and creation of vision, mission, and goals. Provides regular, periodic reporting to ensure the Board can carry out its fiduciary, leadership, and organizational responsibilities.
Management and Administration:
- The CEO provides general oversight of all AESP activities, managing day to day operations to ensure an efficient, effective, smoothly functioning organization. S/he is responsible for overseeing and administering the association’s activities, programs, and services, including:
- Providing strategic counsel and support to the Board of Directors.
- Overseeing execution of educational events, conferences, and multi-modal learning opportunities.
- Building sustainable organizational infrastructure to support AESP’s growth, development and influence including supporting regional chapters and Topic Committees.
- Assuring an effective work environment in order to recruit, retain, support, develop, motivate, and evaluate quality staff. S/he provides leadership to the staff, administers Board approved personnel policies, recruits staff and sees that appropriate salary structures are developed and maintained.
- The CEO is responsible for creating and maintaining specific accountabilities tied directly to the Association’s strategic and operational plans for all staff.
- The executive ensures proper hiring and termination procedures are in place, oversees any and all disciplinary actions and provides for adequate supervision and evaluation of all staff and volunteers.
- The President and CEO is responsible for overseeing the fiscal activities of the organization including budgeting, reporting and the audit. S/he ensures financial stability, regulatory and financial compliance. Specifically, the CEO:
- Provides financial oversight of the annual operating budget.
- Oversees legal compliance.
- Develops and oversees operational policies.
- Approves expenditures and association obligations.
- Provides regular financial reports to, and works closely with, the Treasurer and Finance Committee.
- Stays informed of developments in human resources, nonprofit management and governance, philanthropy, and industry activities.
Mission, Policies, Procedures and Goals:
- Responsible for carrying out organizational goals as approved by the Board.
- Responsible for monitoring and evaluating AESP’s relevance, effectiveness, and results.
- Keeps the Board informed on AESP’s standing in the industry.
- Assures organizational stability and quality programs.
- Provides oversight of all volunteer activities including local chapters and committees.
Governance:
- Guides and works closely with the Board and Board Committees to draft and institute policies and procedures.
- Helps the Board articulate its role and accountabilities and that of its committees.
- Works with the Board Chair to enable the Board to fulfill its governance functions.
- Works with the Board officers and committee chairs to maximize the involvement of each Board member.
- Recommends volunteers to participate on the Board and its committees.
Board Relations:
- Assists the Board Chair in planning the agenda and preparing materials for the Board meetings.
- Initiates and assists in developing policy recommendations and in setting priorities.
- Facilitates the orientation of new Board Members.
- Staffs Board committees as appropriate.
- Assigns and manages staff liaisons to Board Committees.
Industry and Member Relations:
- Ensures AESP’s position of relevance in the Energy Efficiency/Services Industry through the effective use of media, public relations, communications, member services and strategic partnerships with other organizations.
- Serves as the primary spokesperson for the Association.
- Engages and communicates with members and keeps Board informed of any problem areas.
- Initiates, develops, and maintains cooperative relationships with key constituencies.
- Works with legislators, regulatory agencies, volunteers, and representatives of the nonprofit sector to promote legislative and regulatory policies that address the issues of AESP’s constituencies.
Key Interactions:
The CEO represents the Association’s interests through interacting with a wide range of entities, including:
- Association staff
- Federal, state, and local policymakers and regulators
- Utilities
- Consulting organizations
- Related industry associations/organizations
- Stakeholders
- Other interested parties
Qualifications:
The President and CEO should present the following qualifications:
- Strategic leadership – Demonstrated ability to identify, develop and execute effective organizational growth and value strategies.
- Financial acumen – Demonstrated ability to manage a multi-million-dollar budget.
- Operational planning skills – Develops plans that are executed on time and on budget.
- Team commitment – Possesses a constructive, supportive management style that enables the staff to succeed, grow, and thrive.
- Personal and professional growth – Demonstrates past history of personal and professional growth for both self and professional staff.
- Tactical skills – Has effective project management, critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills.
- Nonprofit expertise – Possesses knowledge of association governance issues in order to provide leadership of the Association, Board, and Staff.
- Marketing and communications – Demonstrates experience and or capability to utilize and leverage new trends and strategies to increase member value and personal reach.
- Industry knowledge – Demonstrated energy market and or/industry experience and clear knowledge of new emerging energy markets as well as demand-side management, demand response.
- Charismatic leader with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Technical proficiency – Demonstrated capability in use of MS Office products. Demonstrated track record of using technology to work virtually, such as videoconferencing.
Skills and Abilities:
- Innovation and visionary leadership – Must have a strong, clear ability to identify and lead effective strategies to strengthen the future of the AESP organization.
- Interpersonal Skills – Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills to strengthen and accelerate AESP’s market brand and reach. Establish strong and appropriate relationships with members, the Board, committees, volunteers, staff, donors, and clients. Develops highly effective and constructive relationships with executive colleagues, outside agencies, organizations, and individuals. Manage staff in a supportive, constructive manner.
- Flexibility – This position requires flexibility in setting a work schedule to meet the demands of the position. S/he should be creative and self-motivated with an ability to multi-task effectively and operate under pressure to meet deadlines.
Personal Traits/Characteristics:
- Strategic, innovative thinker
- Collaborative, purposeful leader
- Effective connector, influencer, and communicator
- Interpersonally dynamic, engaging, approachable
- Action-oriented, results-focused
- Agile, flexible, comfortable with change
Education and/or Experience
A Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree a plus. 5+ years of experience in an executive leadership role in the energy and/or demand side management sector or closely related industries or association experience in a related industry/trade association is highly desirable. Approximately 25% travel required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Certified Association Executive a plus.
Compensation
A competitive compensation package will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate.
To apply, please send a cover letter and current résumé (Microsoft Word® format preferred) to [email protected]. A well-written cover letter, outlining how your experience fits the requirements of the position, will be an important factor in considering your candidacy.
AESP is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to inclusion and cultural diversity in the workplace. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, age, disability, religion, national origin, sexual preference, genetic information, or any other protected class.
For more information, contact:
Sterling Martin Associates
1025 Connecticut Avenue | Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
David S. Martin | Managing Partner
202-257-1627
Manmeet Singh Fox | Senior Consultant
240-463-6042
