Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Background:
As the voice of the Brooklyn business community, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce serves its members through promotion, support, and advocacy, as well as its convening authority to build and maintain a healthy, robust business environment throughout the borough. Its economic development arm, the Brooklyn Alliance, provides programs and business development services across Brooklyn’s diverse neighborhoods. Brooklyn Alliance Capital, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is the Chamber’s lending arm, providing loans to small businesses, particularly immigrant- and minority-owned businesses, to expand economic opportunity and create jobs in Brooklyn.

The Position:
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce seeks a strategic, relationship-driven Senior Vice President of Strategy & Innovation. As second-in-command, the SVP leads the Chamber’s revenue, partnerships and external programs, and acts for the President when needed.

The SVP manages relationships with corporate investors, major members, the Board of Directors and the Real Estate and Energy committees. The role oversees VisitBrooklyn, Brooklyn’s tourism platform, along with Workforce Development, Membership, Marketing & Communications and Special Events, and leads five direct reports: the Director of Workforce Development, Marketing & Communications Director, Director of Special Events, Membership Manager and VisitBrooklyn Tourism Specialist.

The ideal candidate is an experienced economic development leader who can grow revenue, build partnerships across Brooklyn’s business, civic and public sectors, and lead a multidisciplinary team. The candidate must be able to work closely and collaboratively with the senior leadership, and be able to integrate smoothly into the team.

They must be passionate about the Chamber’s mission, and be able to work in a collegial, supportive, and direct manner with the staff in a spirit of mutual trust. They will have strong interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to address and solve problems or issues as they arise. In addition, this individual will be diplomatic, of the highest integrity, and possesses sound judgment as well as a sense of humor.

Specific Responsibilities include:

Corporate Investors, Major Members and Membership
• Lead the Chamber’s corporate investor strategy and portfolio, including renewals and upgrades of Champion-level members, proposals, and billing.
• Secure event sponsorships and design investment packages that align investor goals with Chamber programs.
• Serve as the senior point of contact for the Chamber’s largest members and partners, gathering regular updates and identifying new opportunities.
• Meet with prospective members and investors to present the Chamber’s services and membership levels, then prepare proposals and manage billing.
• Oversee the Membership Manager, setting membership growth and retention goals.
• Keep the Chamber’s value proposition current for businesses of every size.

Board Relations
• Serve as the Chamber’s liaison to the Board of Directors, partnering with the President to plan and prepare board meetings and manage board correspondence.
• Oversee board governance, including the nomination process, onboarding, and ongoing stewardship of board members.

Industry Committee Leadership and Workforce Development
• Lead the Real Estate, Energy and Healthcare/Life Science committees: set agendas, recruit speakers, convene members and translate discussion into advocacy, events, and partnerships.
• Track economic development, development incentives, energy policy, and utility issues affecting Brooklyn businesses, and represent the Chamber at energy-sector events.
• Lead the annual Energy Summit with its planning committee, shaping the event’s overarching theme and program and recruiting speakers.
• Build relationships with developers, utilities, and city and state agencies.
• Oversee the Director of Workforce Development and the workforce programs that connect Brooklyn residents with employer members.
• Develop funding and partnerships with employers, training providers, and public agencies.

VisitBrooklyn, Brooklyn’s Tourism Platform
• Lead VisitBrooklyn’s strategy, budget, and revenue plan.
• Represent VisitBrooklyn at international tourism meetings and trade events.
• Manage the VisitBrooklyn Specialist and team.
• Partner with NYC Tourism + Conventions, cultural institutions, BIDs, and hospitality businesses to increase visitor spending across the borough.

Marketing, Communications and Events
• Oversee the Marketing & Communications Director to grow the Chamber’s brand, media relations, digital channels, and publications.
• Oversee the Director of Special Events in planning the calendar, including signature events, policy breakfasts, and investor programming, and ensure each event meets revenue, sponsorship, and member-engagement goals.
• Serve as a public voice for the Chamber alongside the President, including at evening events and networking functions.

Leadership and Management
• Manage, coach, and develop five direct reports, setting clear goals and providing ongoing feedback.
• Follow up on meetings with members, partners, and officials to keep commitments moving.
• Stay current on developments in economic development, tourism, real estate, and energy.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in economic development, sustainability, urban planning, business or public administration, economics, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience in economic development, business associations, government, or a related field, including at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• A record of raising revenue from corporate partners, sponsors, or members.
• Experience managing multiple departments and senior staff.
• Experience working with a board of directors.
• Working relationships with Brooklyn and New York City business, civic and government leaders.

Core Competencies
• Strategic leadership: Sets direction across several programs at once, prioritizes effectively and manages multiple deadlines.
• Relationship building and revenue growth: Builds trust with executives, board members, and partners, and turns those relationships into investment and partnership.
• Communication: Excellent oral and written communication, public speaking, and media skills, with close attention to detail.
• Collaboration: Works effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree in public administration, urban planning, or business.
• Familiarity with real estate development, land use, or energy policy.
• Experience in destination marketing, tourism, or large-scale events.
• Background in workforce development programs.

Compensation and Benefits
• Salary range: $175,000 – $200,000, commensurate with experience.
• Benefits: Full benefits package
• Location: Brooklyn, NY
• Schedule: Frequent evening work representing the Chamber at various events

Equal Employment Opportunity
The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.