Celebration begins search for new CEO
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration recently posted its opening for its Chief Executive Officer position. The Celebration has appointed a search committee that has been tasked with updating the job description to better reflect the responsibilities and expectations of the position, advertise the opening and screen the initial candidates. The committee will recommend the top candidates to the board for final interviews.
The Celebration has been without a CEO since the resignation of Mike Inman in September of last year. The Celebration’s focus for a new CEO will center around the marketing of the Celebration’s facilities and ability to attract more equine and agricultural events that are longer in duration and utilize more of the facilities, especially the stalls and camp grounds. The CEO will remain in charge of the Celebration’s events, including the world championship horse show each August.
Resumes will be accepted until Friday March 26th in the initial round of the search with interviews to begin in the first couple of weeks of April. The goal would be to have a new CEO in place prior to the Spring Fun Show in late May. All resumes will be sent to Connie Allen at callen@twhnc.com.
A full job description follows:
Job Title: Chief Executive Officer – Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration®
Function: To implement the strategic goals and objectives of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® to enable the Board to fulfill its governance functions.
To give direction and leadership toward the achievement of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration’s philosophy, mission, growth strategy, and objectives. To provide an overall vision for the organization that involves maximizing the Celebration’s use of its assets and to provide the maximum impact on the Bedford County community while also recognizing the history and tradition of the event and venue.
Reports To: Board of Directors
Major Functions: Leadership – Develops, communicates, and implements strategies that capitalize on the assets of the organization with a focus on both short-term and long-term growth. Be able to effectively communicate strategic direction to board, association members and staff.
Program, Product and Service Delivery – Oversees design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs and services. Helps to develop and maintain a full digital marketing strategy of the Celebration and its resources and update and improve all current digital platforms.
Financial, Tax, Risk and Facilities Management – Recommends yearly budget for Board approval and prudently manages Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® resources within those budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations. Provides effective reporting and key performance indicators to board members monthly and to association members annually.
Community and Public Relation – Assures the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presented in a positive image in the local and surrounding communities. It is imperative that the CEO of The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® be an effective communicator, active member of the Bedford County community and be able to represent the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® in a professional manner. It is highly recommended that the CEO live in or relocate to Bedford County.
Corporate Sponsorship – Responsible for Celebration’s corporate sponsor program and growing this program through both Walking Horse sponsors as well as local and national brands that fit the profile to utilize this type sponsorship. Fundraising is a key component of this job and will determine the overall success of the position as well as the overall success of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration®.
Event Management – Will be responsible for the management of all internal and external events on the grounds of the Celebration. Will work with management of all shows to make sure they are carried out in a professional manner. Maximize the use of facilities for all events on grounds of Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® with a focus on equine events and use of stalls.
Sales/Marketing – Will be responsible for marketing of all facilities on the show grounds of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® and maximizing the use of all facilities with a focus on bringing additional agriculture and specifically competitive equine events to Shelbyville
Qualifications:
Strong sense of customer service
Equine background
Sales and/or marketing experience
Strong communication skills
Facility management
Previous management experience
B. S. Degree
Previous leadership experience
Salary Range: Base Pay Plus Incentives of $125K-$175K
Standard Executive Level Benefits
Please send resumes to callen@twhnc.com or mail to P. O. Box 1010, Shelbyville, TN 37162. The deadline to receive resumes will be Friday, March 26, 2021. If you have questions please call 931-684-5915 Ext. 107.
