Chief Executive - Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce

Job Posted: 16 January 2025

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Arreton, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Part time
• Salary: £50k per annum based on a three day week
• Industries: Management & Executive

The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new Chief Executive.

Accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce and based at Branstone Business Park, the Isle of Wight Chamber represents hundreds of Island businesses and thousands of employees. The Isle of Wight Chamber is a membership organisation, not-for-profit and independent of local and national government.

The successful candidate’s main purpose will be to provide leadership and vision as well as managing the day-to-day activities of the Chamber. 

The successful candidate will also oversee the Chamber’s strategic and operational performance, ensuring it delivers value to its members and drives business growth and economic development, including delivery against targets set within the Business Plan and Budgets. 

On offer is the opportunity to drive growth, change, innovation and improvement, whilst building and developing effective relationships with our highly valued customers and stakeholders in the local business community.

We are looking for a dynamic and passionate executive who as well as having proven senior leadership experience will also have outstanding communication skills and be able to represent the Isle of Wight at the highest levels across all sectors, influencing prospects for the local business community and helping to shape the future prospects for residents.

We’re looking for someone who will bring a collaborative leadership style, which is positive, upbeat and inspiring to successfully deliver our missions and strategies both now and in the future.

We’re looking for someone with entrepreneurial flair, commercial and financial acumen, inclusive leadership and superb communication skills proven at the highest level.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Develop and implement the Chamber’s strategy and business plan in line with the mission, vision and values.
• Oversee, manage and support the day-to-day activities of the Chamber & Isle of Wight Lottery.
• Lead the Chamber’s policy efforts, ensuring the ‘voice of Island Businesses’ regarding key issues is heard at a local and national level.
• Explore and develop new business opportunities for the Chamber as appropriate.
• Represent the Chamber at meetings, where it is considered necessary to represent members and/or the Island Business Community i.e. IW Economic Development Board meeting.
• Ensure the Chamber provides high-calibre business and networking events, throughout the year to engage members and attract new members to the Chamber.
• Drive growth in Lottery players as per targets in the Chamber’s Business Plan.

The successful candidate will have: 

• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with business leaders, members and stakeholders.
• Confidence and clarity in presenting the chamber’s vision and priorities at events, meetings and in media opportunities.
• The ability to always present a confident and professional image.
• Comprehensive understanding of effective Budget control and Management Accounts and delivering against targets
• Senior Management experience operating at Board level and managing a team.
• Commitment to improving the local business community and quality of life for residents on the Island.
•  Integrity and the ability to earn trust with staff, members and stakeholders through transparency and fairness.
• The ability to maintain focus and composure in the face of challenge or setback.
• The ability to mediate and remain neutral when dealing with contentious issues or disputes that may arise among staff, members or stakeholders.

On offer is a superb working environment with an experienced board of directors already in place to support the new Chief Executive to not only grow the Chamber but the business community as a whole. 

Remuneration is circa £50k per annum with a highly attractive bonus scheme based on performance plus a range of benefits which can be discussed on application.

Hours for the role can be full or part-time, however flexibility is required due to the requirements of the role including the need to attend events and meetings.

If you consider you have the qualities, experience and vision that we are looking for, then we would very much like to hear from you.

If you consider you have the qualities, experience and vision that we are looking for, then we would very much like to hear from you.