President and Chief Executive Officer

The Enterprise Center, a private non-profit organization in
Chattanooga, invites applications for the position of President and
CEO. The successful candidate will provide visionary and innovative
leadership for the organization and will ensure operational
excellence in delivering on its commitments for all
constituents.

The Enterprise Center (TEC)

The vision of the Enterprise is to create lasting change and a
better quality of life for everyone in Chattanooga and Hamilton
County, 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 to
grow and develop.

Position Summary

TEC operates at the intersection of technology, equity,
knowledge, and opportunity, so the ideal candidate is one
comfortable with rapid change, who brings community voice to the
table, and who effectively engages with local, regional and
national stakeholders to improve the quality of life for all
residents in Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

The President and CEO of TEC will report to the Executive
Committee and the Board of Directors. The President and CEO has the
overarching responsibility to ensure that TEC:

• Leads with an active vision for its long-term future, a
  cohesive and clear mission that will fulfill the vision, and
  strategic goals and objectives that deliver measurable progress on
  that mission guided by continuous evaluation and fresh
  thinking.
• Creates and nurtures a wide range of strategic partnerships and
  relationships at the local, regional, and national levels,
  reflecting the nature of the work that requires high level
  cooperation, collaboration, information sharing and combined
  resources.
• Manages its programs, assets, and finances with operational
  excellence and fiscal stewardship to achieve desired community
  impacts.
• Continues to be properly resourced, managed, and in compliance
  with all laws and grant requirements from both a financial and
  human capital perspective.
• Provides clear communication and effective support for the
  Board of Directors, the Board’s Executive Committee, and for the
  TEC staff and contractors.

Specific Responsibilities Executive Leadership &
Management

• Lead the ongoing development, evaluation, and communication of
  TEC’s strategies in alignment with its mission.
• Recruit, develop, and manage staff and consultants to create
  high performing, collaborative, and innovative work teams.
• Ensure TEC follows all applicable and appropriate human
  resource requirements, policies, and procedures.
• Steward ongoing evaluation of all programs, partnerships, and
  initiatives for rapid and flexible program changes and mid-course
  corrections.
• Assure that appropriate goals are set that align with the
  mission, objectives, and strategies.  Manage staff to meet
  these expectations.
• Lead organizational and programmatic level plan for effective
  and timely collection of impact data.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the organizations and perform
  general management duties.

Support Board Governance

• Identify and actively engage with board members helping to
  ensure a high-functioning, collaborative board that is broadly
  representative of local stakeholders.
• Meet quarterly with TEC’s full Board of Directors to provide
  updates on the organization’s activities, achievements, and
  financial position and to obtain Board guidance for TEC’s programs
  and opportunities.
• Convene and communicate effectively with TEC’s Executive
  Committee monthly, providing any relevant and timely information
  about programs, partners, team, and finances.
• Implement the Board of Directors’ policies and
  procedures.

External Relations & Communication

• Function as TEC’s primary communicator and spokesperson.
• Lead efforts to further tell TEC’s story through a strong
  brand, story, and impact metrics.
• Create and nurture top-level partnerships and collaborations
  locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Serve as a primary resource to local officials on matters
  related to the innovation economy, workforce development, and
  digital equity.

Program Development & Delivery

• Leverage strategic frameworks to determine the development of
  new programs and/or the sunsetting of existing programs.
• Steward a culture of operational excellence, ensuring that
  programs meet or exceed expectations and grant requirements.
• Ensure program managers support the timely and appropriate
  collection of program level impact data.

Resource Development & Financial Management

• Maintain an effective annual budget cycle from all sources
  ensuring 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 pursue
  grants and investments from new sources.
• Analyze sources of funding and secure grants and investments as
  appropriate.
• Ensure that there is adherence to sound bookkeeping and
  accounting procedures.
• Administer funds according to an approved budget and monitor
  monthly cash flow.
• Provide timely and accurate financial reports to the TEC
  Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Preferred Qualifications

• A reputation as a capable and visionary leader.
• Experience leading and managing an organization where
  technology-driven innovation was a focus for community
  benefit.
• Demonstrated success in driving digital equity and
  inclusion.
• Success obtaining grants and governmental funding.
• Experience developing, refining, and implementing
  organizational objectives and strategies.
• Demonstrated financial management ability.
• National exposure to similar organizations.
• Experience working with the public and private sectors, as well
  as foundations and nonprofits.
• Strong collaboration and communications skills in a diverse set
  of communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of researchers, research
  institutions, and community-based opportunities for research is
  desirable but not required.
• Proven people management experience, including performance
  management.
• 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 plan
completed in 2023 that reflect the evolution of the
organization.

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

The Enterprise Center’s early work focused on supporting the
development of the Edney Innovation Center, as well as a vibrant
community and public space in the surrounding area. The Enterprise
Center also focused on digital equity for all Chattanoogans through
Tech Goes Home and a partnership with Hamilton County to bring the
internet into school childrens’ lives, homes and education. In
these early days, The Enterprise Center was building one of its
distinctive competences: bringing together diverse organizations to
ensure that everyone can benefit and gain opportunity from
technology.

Over the next several years, The Enterprise Center grew its
programs and established Chattanooga as a testbed for the
development of next-generation smart products, processes, and
services. Through partnerships with UTC, EPB, Co.lab, Erlanger
Health, Hamilton County, and the City of Chattanooga, The
Enterprise Center led the formation of the Chattanooga Smart City
Collaborative.

In 2020, COVID-19 upended lives and established systems
around the world and highlighted what The Enterprise Center and
those involved in digital equity had always known: broadband access
and digital literacy are a basic human right and are integral to
everyone’s opportunity to succeed and grow. The Enterprise Center
immediately mobilized its strong partnerships to accelerate its
work in research and development, the Innovation District and
digital equity. The resulting efforts connected students at home,
brought healthcare to people through telemedicine, supported
entrepreneurs and small businesses, and created hope in the local
community. At the same time, digital equity became a national and
global conversation and The Enterprise Center was positioned to
broaden its impact through partnerships and deepen its commitment
to a just society.

The Enterprise Center is now at the epicenter of a national
goal to provide broadband as an enabling technology to provide
opportunities to everyone. Through years of commitment and hard
work, The Enterprise Center is highly regarded as a valuable
partner with a unique ability to create and manage collaborations
that deliver results. Community members and partners see a strong
role for The Enterprise Center in the future and view the
organization as a key strategic partner.

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

Compensation

This is a full-time, fully in-person position with competitive
benefits, 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 March
4, 2024 with a deadline date of April 17, 2024. Applicants must
submit a current resume and a cover letter describing relevant
experience and interest in the position. Submission of materials
via email is strongly encouraged. Nominations should include the
contact information of the nominee.

Applications or questions should be sent to ceosearch@theenterprisectr.org.