Executive Director Application Process Open

The United States Chess Federation (US Chess) is accepting applications for the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director is the top executive officer in the organization and sits on the US Chess Executive Board as a non-voting member.  US Chess is the national governing body of chess in the United States, as well as the official national federation representing the United States with the World Chess Federation (FIDE). US Chess has approximately 90,000 members, and it is headquartered in Crossville, TN. Find more information on USChess in the 2016 Annual Report (pdf).  The desired start date for this full-time position with benefits is in or about October 2017. Responsibilities: The Executive Director of US Chess reports to and informs the Executive Board, and is responsible for the Federation’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.  In addition, the Executive Director:

• Ensures all activities undertaken are in compliance with the Bylaws of the US Chess Federation, and that US Chess has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission and satisfies the purposes of US Chess.
• Oversees contractual negotiations and partner relationships.
• Develops programs, organizational and financial plans, and annual budgets with the Executive Board and staff, and carries out plans and policies authorized by the Board and the delegates in a timely manner.
• Supervises the publication of Chess Life, one of the world’s longest running and premier chess magazines.
• Ensures the organization continues to refine its status and operations as a relatively new 501(c)(3) organization.
• Organizes, leads, and supervises the Federation’s fund raising programs.
• Develops and implements a customer relationship management program, publicizes the activities of the organization, and represents US Chess to the general public and other organizations, including FIDE.
• Oversees the recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, voluntary separation, and when necessary, termination of US Chess employees in compliance with the requirements of employment law. He or she ensures job descriptions are developed, that annual performance evaluations are held and documented, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
• Ensures all reasonable steps are taken to assure US Chess’s assets are properly collected, safeguarded, insured, and invested, and that all payments are supported by proper documentation.
• Ensures proper cash flow management and that US Chess has adequate resources to conduct day-to-day business.
• Supervises the maintenance of the official records and documents of US Chess, and ensures compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will possess strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, and must be able to work well under pressure and deadlines. A bachelor’s degree is required; an MBA or equivalent experience and education is preferred. Experience in charitable or nonprofit organizational governance is a strong positive, as is the management of a staff of more than 20 and prior P&L responsibility. The successful applicant need not be knowledgeable of the game of chess, but he or she will be expected to become rapidly proficient with the core services of US Chess, including magazine publications, website, membership services, ratings services, a network and system of administering the conduct of dozens of competitive tournaments weekly, and managing some of the largest chess competitions in the world. Special Note: The successful candidate need not reside in the vicinity of the US Chess headquarters in Crossville, TN. The successful candidate may carry out his or her duties from Crossville or anywhere within the continental United States. During the first year, the Executive Director may be expected to spend several days each month at the US Chess headquarters. Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Application: Interested applicants should submit (in PDF format) the following documents to Click here to show email address:  (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume, (3) three references, and (4) a writing sample no longer than three pages. US Chess is committed to having an inclusive community, and as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, family or marital status, sexual orientation, or chess-playing skills. Deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately and all applications should be received no later than 5:00 PM Eastern on Wednesday, May 31,2017. Following a screening by the Executive Board, select applicants will undergo a phone interview with one or more Executive Board members.  Final applicants will be asked to travel at US Chess expense to Norfolk, VA for an in-person interview with the Executive Board during the week of July 31 – August 4, 2017.   The process will continue until the position is filled.