Executive Director

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS – pronounced “jeeps”) is an international professional association of individuals who work in the grain handling and processing industry. Since 1930, GEAPS has fostered leadership, innovation, and excellence in grain-related industry operations. Our members began collaborating more than 90 years ago to create and sustain safer, more efficient operations.

 

We are a global network of industry professionals. GEAPS has nearly 3,000 individual members from 1,150 companies and organizations represented in over 20 countries.

 

We are your knowledge resource. Whether it’s participating in training and education programs, browsing the resources on our website, or taking a facility tour as part of a chapter meeting, our members have access to a wide range of tools to build their skills. To learn more about GEAPS, please click on this link: https://www.geaps.com/about/

 

 

THE POSITION

The Executive Director will report directly to the GEAPS Board of Directors through the Executive Committee.  She/he will also provide leadership to GEAPS Media Group (GMG), a wholly owned LLC.  The Executive Director will be responsible for providing leadership, setting direction, and guiding the international activities, events, members, and member organizations of GEAPS and GMG.  The Executive Director will spend approximately 70% of their time dedicated to GEAPS and 30% of their time dedicated to GMG. 

The Executive Director will execute major goals and objectives for the organization, while recommending and implementing policies established by the Board of Directors. She/he will continuously analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of all operations including the funding model, organizational structure, and personnel.

Relationship-building and resource development are key to the position’s success. This position will be responsible for the organization’s staff (currently 22 employees with most of the team found in the Minneapolis or Central Illinois areas) with two Directors of Operations reporting directly to the Executive Director. The expectation of the Executive Director is to ensure GEAPS/GMG will provide member value working with a (+/-) 5-million-dollar budget.

 

The Executive Director will lead according to GEAPS’ Values:

• Agriculture

• Relationships

• Responsibility

• Intelligence

• Membership

• Inclusion

 

The position requires visionary leadership, proactive management, sound fiscal judgment, and a commitment to growth and innovation.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide visionary and exemplary thought leadership; act as a spokesperson and key representative for GEAPS and GMG

• Advise and support the Board of Directors in governing the organization; participate fully in all board activities

• Oversee the development of all tactics and metrics in executing GEAPS’ strategic plan

• Oversight of Directors of Operations for GEAPS and GMG

• Participate in relevant events and outreach, internal and external, including GEAPS Exchange

• Provide monthly reports and data analysis and recommendations to assist in governance and strategic thinking

• Develop and maintain relationships with all stakeholders, including other professional organizations

• Determine and execute the most effective personnel model to carry out GEAPS’ mission, balancing volunteer, paid consultant, and staff roles and ensuring smooth administration and delivery of services

• Oversight of the development of the Annual Tactical Plan and Budget and oversight of its implementation 

• Lead board development and training

• Establish a culture that supports innovation, continuous improvement, career-long learning, and professional development within a safe, welcoming, and diverse workplace

• Understanding the importance of building/growing Local Chapters and understanding the importance of the Local Chapters

• Continually build alignment and synergies between GEAPS and GMG

 

 

ATTRIBUTES

The new leader must demonstrate a firm commitment to – and passion for – the GEAPS mission and should possess a variety of attributes, including:

• Positive, visionary, and forward-thinking leadership which motivates volunteers, board members, staff, vendors, partners, and all stakeholders

• Visionary for global and domestic growth

• Strong outward-facing communication and relationship-building skills and ability to manage clients

• Inclusive and collaborative work style that values equity and access

• Must be a good listener

• Ability to build trust quickly with existing stakeholders

• Social and emotional intelligence

• A consensus builder among diverse constituencies, understanding how to further common goals and objectives

• Unwavering integrity and sound judgment

• Culturally aware, inclusive, and able to seek and integrate diverse viewpoints

• Flexibility and adaptability with the ability to work with individuals located in different time zones worldwide

 

 

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• A college degree or equivalent, relevant experience required.  An advanced degree or MBA is preferred, but not required.  Knowledge of agriculture or ag economics is a plus. 

• Minimum seven years executive or senior-level experience in a relevant nonprofit organization(s) preferred

• Strategic business acumen with a demonstrated track record in operations, finance, budgeting, and fundraising

• Ability to listen and inspire others through written and verbal communications

• Experience working internationally

• Self-driven with the ability to work independently and lead teams

• Demonstrated success in integrating diverse viewpoints

• Experience handling difficult situations in a professional manner

• Organized and effective communicator

  • Expected to prepare and distribute materials for discussion prior to all meetings

• Experience managing people and reporting to a Board of Directors

• Ability to live in a Midwest location

  • Position can be remote with defined expectations of team/office visits

  • 20-30% of time traveling to Minneapolis office/Decatur GMG office/events/chapter meetings

• Ability to travel internationally

• Understanding of Governance of GEAPS as a non-profit vs GMG as an LLC and how they work together