Chief Executive Officer

​​​​​

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

​​​

A. Organizational Leadership

1. Provide strategic leadership and overall management of the Association's operations, programs, and services.

2. Lead the implementation of the Board's strategic vision and develop annual operating plans that align with ACA's mission and goals.

3. Build the Association from the ground up, including establishing organizational systems, policies, procedures, and operational infrastructure.

4. Develop and manage the annual operating budget while ensuring sound financial stewardship and compliance with Board policies.

5. Recruit, develop, supervise, and evaluate Association staff as the organization grows.

6. Provide timely recommendations and reports to the Board of Directors regarding organizational performance, strategic opportunities, and emerging issues.

7. Ensure effective governance support by working closely with the Board and its committees.

8. Foster a culture centered on service, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

​

B. Membership Development & Member Services

1. Lead efforts to recruit, retain, and engage agricultural cooperative members throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

2. Develop and implement programs and services that provide measurable value to member cooperatives.

3. Maintain strong relationships with member CEOs, boards of directors, and cooperative leadership teams.

4. Regularly assess member needs and develop new services that address emerging challenges and opportunities.

5. Promote the benefits of ACA membership and encourage active member participation.

6. Establish meaningful communication channels that keep members informed and engaged.

​

C. Education & Professional Development

1. Develop a comprehensive educational strategy that supports cooperative employees, directors, and emerging leaders.

2. Plan and oversee conferences, leadership development programs, educational workshops, webinars, and member training opportunities.

3. Identify industry experts and strategic partners to deliver high-quality educational programming.

4. Continually evaluate educational offerings to ensure relevance, quality, and member satisfaction.

5. Promote cooperative principles and best practices throughout the membership.

​

D. Government Affairs & Industry Advocacy

1. Serve as the Association's primary advocate on legislative and regulatory matters impacting agricultural cooperatives.

2. Develop and implement an effective government affairs strategy in collaboration with the Board.

3. Build and maintain strong relationships with state and federal legislators, regulatory agencies, and agricultural organizations.

4. Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting member cooperatives and communicate timely updates.

5. Coordinate grassroots advocacy efforts that encourage member engagement in public policy.

6. Represent ACA before governmental agencies, legislative committees, and industry organizations.

​

E. Communications & External Relations

1. Establish and maintain a professional image for ACA throughout the cooperative industry.

2. Serve as the Association's primary spokesperson.

3. Build collaborative relationships with allied agricultural organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and industry partners.

4. Communicate regularly with members through newsletters, digital communications, meetings, and presentations.

5. Promote the value and impact of agricultural cooperatives to policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public.

6. Represent ACA at regional and national industry events.

​

F. Financial Management

1. Develop and administer the Association's annual operating budget.

2. Monitor financial performance and provide regular financial reports to the Board.

3. Identify and pursue non-dues revenue opportunities, including sponsorships, grants, educational programs, and partnerships.

4. Ensure sound financial controls and responsible stewardship of Association assets.

5. Work with external accounting professionals to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance.

​

G. Startup & Organizational Development

1. Lead all activities necessary to successfully launch ACA.

2. Develop the Association's operating policies, procedures, and administrative systems.

3. Coordinate branding, marketing, technology systems, and membership onboarding.

4. Establish vendor relationships and operational partnerships necessary for efficient operations.

5. Develop performance metrics that measure organizational success and member value.

​

The Chief Executive Officer will perform other duties as assigned by the ACA Board of Directors.

​

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

​

1. Demonstrated passion for and commitment to the agricultural cooperative system.

2. Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.

3. Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience in agricultural associations, cooperatives, agribusiness, government affairs, or a related field.

4. Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors.

5. Proven leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development experience.

6. Strong understanding of agricultural policy, legislative processes, and government relations is highly desirable.

7. Excellent financial management and budgeting skills.

8. Outstanding written, verbal, and public speaking abilities.

9. Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusted relationships among diverse stakeholders.

10. Demonstrated ability to build consensus, influence others, and lead through collaboration.

11. Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and comfortable building a growing organization.

12. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

13. Willingness to travel throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with occasional national travel.

14. Valid driver's license and the ability to travel throughout the Association's service territory.

​

​

PREFERRED CHARACTERISTICS

​

• Visionary leader with an entrepreneurial mindset.

• High integrity and strong ethical standards.

• Collaborative and relationship-driven.

• Passionate advocate for agriculture and the cooperative business model.

• Politically astute while remaining nonpartisan.

• Innovative and committed to delivering measurable value to members.

• Comfortable working in a startup environment where flexibility and initiative are essential.​​​​​​​​

​​