LCA

Lambda Chi Alpha

 Chief Executive Officer

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity (ΛXA) has retained Sterling Martin Associates to search for its next Chief Executive Officer. The position is located in Carmel, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis.

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, a 501(c)(7) nonprofit organization, is a college fraternity in North America that was founded in 1909. It is one of the largest men’s fraternities, having initiated more than 280,000 members with active chapters and colonies at 195 universities. The youngest of the fifteen largest social fraternities, ΛXA has initiated the third highest number of men ever, based on North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) statistics. The purpose of the fraternity is to promote and support affiliated chapters and colonies by providing educational, leadership, and risk management programming, maintaining the international headquarters, preserving the Fraternity’s historical documents, and preparing fraternity periodicals and educational materials.

ΛXA’s governing board, known as the “Grand High Zeta,” consists of 15 members. A Student Advisory Committee (SAC) provides the collegiate members’ perspective to the Grand High Zeta and headquarters staff, discusses topics facing the Fraternity, and often develops legislation to be submitted to the General Assembly. Lambda Chi Alpha’s budget is in the $6M range.

In addition to four Recruitment Specialists and eight Education Leadership Consultants, ΛXA is managed by 25 professional staff members who serve the organization from the international headquarters. The staff provides the highest ethical and professional service to ΛXA’s undergraduate and alumni members in a spirit of unity and enthusiasm by: (1) developing quality programs, publications, and services; (2) using Fraternity resources responsibly; (3) committing to excellence in chapter standards; and (4) advancing and promoting the ideas and principles of the Fraternity as a complement to the educational experience of its members.

The Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational tax-exempt organization, separate and independent from the Fraternity, whose sole purpose is to serve as an educational resource for the brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Dollars raised go toward educational programming and initiatives, such as the Stead Leadership Seminar and Lambda Chi Alpha’s TRUE Brother Initiative to help build and invest in Lambda Chi Alpha’s future leaders. A separate, 24-member Board of Directors governs the Foundation; the professional staff is led by a President and CEO.

For more information about Lambda Chi Alpha and the Foundation, please visit www.lambdachi.org.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lambda Chi Alpha serves as the top executive of the Fraternity. The CEO reports directly to the Board Chairman (the Grand High Alpha) and serves at the direction of the Fraternity’s Board of Directors on all fraternity matters. The CEO is responsible for the organization, planning, coordination, supervision, direction and management of the headquarters staff and for overseeing Lambda Chi Alpha’s day-to-day business. In cooperation with the ΛXA staff, the CEO also oversees the Fraternity’s programs and activities which include providing services to the chapters and colonies and ΛXA alumni, publishing the Fraternity magazine and ΛXA’s electronic newsletters, raising funds, organizing meetings, and managing physical and financial resources. He works in close cooperation with the CEO of the Educational Foundation to advance the Foundation’s purposes.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Grand High Zeta, the CEO has overall responsibility for implementing ΛXA’s mission and vision. He also has the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Strategic Direction

• In partnership with the Grand High Zeta, develops and executes a Strategic Plan to advance the mission of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity; develops and maintains a short-term (one-year) operational plan to complement and support the Strategic Plan.
• Serves as lead driver in the successful attainment of benchmarks and objectives of Strategic Plan. Ensures alignment of annual/operational plans, and prioritization of investment therein, with the Strategic Plan.
• Balances a respect for the Fraternity’s history and traditions with a willingness to embrace change in furtherance of the Fraternity’s Strategic Plan.
• Maintains an organizational structure sufficient to execute the Strategic Plan.

Governance

• Coordinates, plans and schedules with the Board of Directors all board meetings, including agendas and other materials to be distributed in advance of the meetings.
• Serves as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Directors and serves as Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors.
• Participates as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, attending all meetings and teleconferences.
• Participates as an ad hoc member of all board committees as well as other committees or task forces that may be established from time to time; may delegate responsibility for committee liaison activities to ensures that all board committees are adequately staffed and managed.
• Communicates on a regular basis with the Grand High Zeta on ΛXA activities, condition of finances, and media relations.
• Prepares and submits to the Board of Directors an annual written plan of goals and objectives with an execution plan for the coming year.
• With the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, engages in donor prospecting, research, cultivation, and recognition.

External Relations | Communications | Membership & Meetings

• Serves as an external face and primary spokesperson for Lambda Chi Alpha to all stakeholder constituencies, including the media.
• Presents a visible and engaging presence at appropriate fraternity conferences, meetings and gatherings.
• Maintains a keen awareness of the fraternity industry, of changes in higher education generally, and of the nature of today’s college student; understands the fraternity’s role as a co-curricular entity.
• Serves as an advocate for the value of the college fraternity experience today, including the ability to deal with hostile environment with respect to fraternities; serves not just as a leader of Lambda Chi Alpha, but of the fraternity world in general.
• Communicates with administrators at all colleges and universities where Lambda Chi Alpha is represented.
• Oversees and approves communications with all chapters, undergraduates, and alumni members.
• Participates in interfraternity organizations to improve the fraternity system and individual fraternities.
• Supports interfraternity efforts to influence the course of legislation and regulations affecting fraternities.
• Ensures that the Fraternity’s policies relative to illegal drugs, alcohol, hazing and other concerns of a sensitive nature are communicated to administrators at each institution.
• Builds trusting relationships with key partners, stakeholders and donors, including undergraduates, alumni, and host institutions.
• Ensures that services and programs are provided to all chapters and colonies in an effective, timely and professional manner.
• Identifies, develops and refines efforts to foster increasing alumni engagement in chapter and undergraduate support, in philanthropic support, in career and mentorship services, and in lifetime brotherhood.
• Inspires the organization to achieve demonstrative excellence, always keeping the undergraduate brothers at the heart of the organization.
• Consistently strives to enhance organizational value for ΛXA’s members, including program development, evaluation and elevation.
• Oversees the development of services and programs to alumni members and alumni groups.
• Oversees the organization of all Fraternity meetings, including General Assemblies, Leadership Seminars, and Conclaves.
• Serves as Managing Editor of the Cross & Crescent magazine.
• Oversees the development of a comprehensive communication and public relations program.

Management & Administration

• Attracts, trains, and employs the professional staff for the Fraternity in order to manage the financial, administrative, chapter services, alumni relations, communications and the publication of a quarterly magazine.
• Oversees the creation and management of the annual budget.
• Distributes regular in-house financial operating reports, and annual audited financial statements, to the Board of Directors.
• Works as Assistant Secretary with the Board to ensure that the funds of the organization are invested prudently.
• Develops and maintains for each staff position a job description with standards of performance to be revised as needed throughout the year.
• Performs staff reviews biannually, with written appraisals and mutually agreed upon goals for each.
• Oversees the physical plant and the purchases of all supplies and services.

Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation

• In partnership with the Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, participates in fundraising activities.
• Works with the Foundation CEO to cultivate current and potential donors.
• Works with the Foundation CEO to identify and develop potential Foundation Board members.

Ideal Background & Experience | Qualities & Characteristics

Qualified candidates for the position of Chief Executive Officer will be visionary leaders and inspirational spokespeople with a successful record of accomplishment. Candidates will be expected to understand, embrace, and advance ΛXA’s Seven Core Values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service and Stewardship, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage and to appreciate and support the role that ΛXA plays in the lives of its brothers. All candidates will also be expected to present the following:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a focus on business, marketing, communications or related area; master’s degree preferred.
• Current (good standing) membership in Lambda Chi Alpha strongly preferred.
• Current Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation a plus. If not a current CAE, willingness to become involved in the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and to pursue the CAE designation.
• Seven to ten years of successful management experience and significant experience in nonprofit administration.
• Ability to support the responsibilities of the Grand High Zeta in a spirit of total transparency while regularly seeking its advice and counsel. Implement best practices in Board engagement.
• Experience developing strategic plans in cooperation with a governing board.
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of fiscal, program, and staff management.
• Demonstrated ability to build and advance relationships with constituent stakeholders, including prospective and current donors, other Greek letter organizations, professional organizations, and volunteers.
• Evidence of quality leadership that is effective, creative, and stimulating and evidence that the individual acts as team player.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development, conference participation, publication, and professional education.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft® Word®, Excel®, PowerPoint® and an understanding of database software.
• Willingness and ability to commute to or relocate to Carmel, Indiana, near Indianapolis.
• Ability to travel frequently and to participate in evening and weekend meetings and events.

Compensation

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity offers a competitive compensation package to attract the right candidate. The organization offers stimulating work and professional development opportunities, encouraging all Lambda Chi Alpha team members to generate innovative ideas to further the goals of the organization. Lambda Chi Alpha also provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

To apply, please send a cover letter and current résumé (Microsoft Word® format preferred) to [email protected]. A well-crafted cover letter outlining how your background and experience relate to the position is considered an important part of the candidate review process. All applications will be acknowledged.

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity in the workplace.

For more information, please contact:

Sterling Martin Associates 1025 Connecticut Avenue | Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202.327.5485 www.smartinsearch.com

David S. Martin | Managing Partner [email protected]

Leigh Beal | Senior Associate [email protected]