Chief Executive Officer

Company: HR Partners
Location: Topeka
Posted on: September 12, 2020

Job Description:

Location: Topeka, Kansas

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Reporting Relationship: Board of Directors

Primary Accountability:

Under the direction of the Kansas Soybean Association (KSA) Board of Directors, the CEO plans, organizes, manages and directs the organization toward its primary objectives, by performing the following duties personally, or through subordinate managers. The CEO coordinates all programs and activities to ensure that objectives are attained, plans are fulfilled, and state and federal program rules are followed. Additionally, the CEO ensures the policies approved by the Board of Directors are implemented including the major contract KSA has with and under the direction of the Kansas Soybean Commission (KSC) to administer the soybean checkoff program in Kansas which can include up to 90 to 95% of the CEO’s time.

Major Duties (Essential Job Functions)

Directs, leads, motivates, supervises and evaluates staff and subcontractors including hiring, training, maintaining records and professional development. Ensures positive communication and coordination of all KSA/KSC efforts and polices are done in a timely, accurate and professional manner, safeguarding that all state and federal employment laws are followed.

Under contract with KSC, administers the soybean checkoff on behalf of KSC with adherence to the Act and Order and Kansas Statutes.

Develops the annual KSC Marketing Plan and KSA project work plan and their budgets for review and approval by KSC and KSA. Manages the annual request for KSC proposals and all administrative procedures and grants. Where required, receives and evaluates reports by KSC contractors.

Maintains financial accounts, develops and implements budgets to ensure accurate records are kept and funds are used in an approved manner, making changes as needed to the budget approval and discussion with the Boards of Directors.

Ensures that audits of KSC’s and KSA’s financial records are conducted on a yearly basis and reports submitted to the commissioners.

Records and assumes administrative responsibility for promotions, industry information, consumer information, producer communication, research and administrative projects for KSC. This includes oversight of checkoff remittances, relationships and audits of first purchasers, remitting appropriate funds to other states and the United Soybean Board (USB). Provides staff support for the Commissioners to ensure communication and appropriate actions are implemented.

Develops and implements the election of commissioners as well as referendums and/or checkoff polls in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and USB.

Serves as the spokesperson, develops, collaborates and maintains a favorable image of the soybean industry with the media as well as industry leaders – state, national and international; represents or assigns representation to the various organizations the commission joins and funds, including other commodity and agricultural groups, as well as state, regional and national research organizations and international consortiums and other stakeholders: producers, sponsors, industry partners and other interested parties.

Organizes, manages and attends KSC meetings and provides financial and business administrator reports.

Establishes current and long-range objectives, plans and policies, based on the KSC and KSA board members planning. Develops and encourages leadership development and training for leaders.

Dispenses advice, guidance, direction and authorization to carry out major plans and procedures, consistent with established policies and Board of Directors’ approval.

Establishes and maintains an effective system of communications throughout the organization including the functionality of and timeliness of information in newsletters, on the website, and other social, earned and paid media.

Manages the overall programs and activities of KSA by holding regularly scheduled Board Meetings as well as annual meetings of KSA. Ensures the policies of the Board of Directors are implemented. Manages business structure, the financial resources including soliciting corporate funds as determined by the respective Board policies.

Conducts yearly state resolution process and ensures proper delegates for state and national voting delegate sessions. Provides support to the KSA policy committee to ensure communication and that appropriate actions are implemented.

Coordinates the state legislative initiatives with the KSA lobbyist and work with the American Soybean Association (ASA) on federal issues.

Manages the membership for KSA including, but not limited to, maintaining membership records, invoicing for dues, recruitment and other aspects of membership.

Maintains appropriate and adequate insurances for the KSC/KSA Directors and employees and their assets.

Files all federal, state, county employee benefit and tax documents for KSA.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Educational Experience:

Hold a BS or BA degree with additional CAE certification a plus.

Work experience to include a minimum of 10 years or equivalence in a field closely related to agriculture, nonprofit, trade association/checkoff management with some legislative focus.

Deep understanding of agriculture with soybean farming and farming practices preferred.

Skills:

Collaborative team player who listens to and appreciates the input and ideas of all stakeholders.

Familiar with project (fund) accounting, experience developing and implementing budgets.

Highly motivated, organized, accurate, detail oriented with strong written and oral communication skills.

Possesses good public relations skills, with evidence of ability to work and communicate with people to ensure effective internal and external relationships.

Demonstrates ability to manage multiple projects and programs.

Brings a high level of maturity, professionalism, personal responsibility, humor and humility that earns the respect, support and engagement of a wide range of stakeholders and partners.

Has a global mindset towards agricultural markets, economics and political dynamics; adapts behavior and decision making to the realities of the marketplace.

Experienced strategic thinker and planner, must be an innovator and creative thinker with the ability to flex from one topic to another and draw upon experience to provide new ideas to support organization growth and development.

Understands the importance of KSC’s compliance and documentation in the stewardship and investment of checkoff dollars—and has the skills and discipline to adhere to regulations and details related to those investments.

Strong and visionary strategic thinker who can develop and implement a long-range plan for the success of KSC and KSA and the farmers they represent.

Possesses strong oral and written communications skills—and can communicate effectively and positively with the various large and small audiences important to our success.

Can manage a wide range of commission projects and initiatives on both a tactical and strategic level—someone who can not only "do" but can also innovate, imagine and inspire.

Possesses understanding of state and federal legislative process. Is familiar with resolution process and how policy is developed and implemented by grassroots organizations

Physical Demands:

Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, talk and hear.

Frequently lifts and/or moves up to twenty-five (25) pounds and occasionally lifts and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving and manipulating materials.

Travel:

30% or less. The job may require up to 30% (100 days) of travel per year. Travel will be extensively in Kansas, but also in the United States and internationally.

This is a full-time position located in Topeka, Kansas in the KSA and KSC building.

Professional and deadline-oriented environment. The noise level is typically low to moderate.

The organization has a drug free policy in place.

Additional Duties:

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee holding this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.

Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“WCEC”) Debbie Robinson

CEO and General Manager

Wood County Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“WCEC”)

"We have recently used the services of HR Partners to coordinate the evaluation of our CEO. I found their services made the process convenient and easy to administer.

HR Partners also helped us to analyze the results of our CEO evaluation survey offering unique perspectives we may not have otherwise picked up on. I’m very happy with the services I received."

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