Description:
Smithbucklin, a 650-person, employee-owned professional services company with more than 70 years of success serving the association market, with primary offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., is looking for a Chief Staff Officer- Association of Business Communicators (IABC) to join our team in our Chicago office and serve our association management client organization International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a leading professional association for communication practitioners, is seeking a Chief Staff Officer (CSO).In this role, the CSO will enhance internal operations, increase member value, and ensure effective organizational performance. Reporting to the Vice President of the Professional Societies and Communities Client Network, the position involves integrating strategy, operations, membership, and volunteer engagement for long-term growth and relevance. As a key partner, the CSO will align staff and systems, boost operational effectiveness, and ensure IABC delivers valuable experience for members and stakeholders. At Smithbucklin, we embody a culture driven by optimism, ambition, expertise, and thoughtfulness, where every team member is empowered to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional results for our clients. Join us in shaping the future of association management, where our values serve as the cornerstone of our success.
What You Will Do
Strategic Leadership & Organizational Alignment:
Act as the primary operational strategist supporting the Board, translating organizational priorities into coordinated, actionable plans.
Maintain cross-functional operational oversight to ensure IABC performs strongly in areas such as leadership alignment, member value creation, program quality, financial strength, and long-term growth positioning.
Facilitate organizational focus and rhythm, ensuring decisions and resources align with strategic priorities.
Membership Strategy, Growth, and Engagement:- Lead a comprehensive membership strategy that drives recruitment, retention, and increased member engagement, contributing to overall member and revenue growth.
- Continuously refine membership offerings using insights from data, market dynamics, competitive analysis, and member feedback.
- Strengthen the association's market position and reputation by ensuring the member experience remains differentiated and high value.
- Partner with the Marketing Team to enhance communications, onboarding, and engagement pathways that deepen membership and participation.
- Data Strategy, Governance & Systems Leadership
- Own membership data integrity and CRM performance, ensuring a single source of truth that accurately tracks pipeline, conversion, renewal, and engagement metrics
- Lead CRM and marketing automation configuration (segmentation, workflows, integrations) to execute acquisition, renewal, and engagement campaigns tied to membership growth targets
- Direct performance reporting and forecasting, modify existing KPIs as needed and translating results into specific actions to close gaps in growth, retention, and engagement
- Lead membership operations and systems, standardizing workflows, improving data accuracy, and strengthening infrastructure to support efficient, scalable service delivery
- Volunteer Leadership & Governance Support
- Build and sustain an effective volunteer ecosystem by leading recruitment, onboarding, training, and recognition efforts.
- Ensure committees and volunteer groups operate with clarity, purpose, and alignment with the association's goals.
- Promote modern governance practices and support volunteers in delivering consistent, high-quality contributions
- Financial Oversight & Business Operations
- Partner with the Finance Director to develop the annual operating budget and ensure resource alignment with strategic goals.
- Oversee financial reporting, reconciliation, and monthly performance analytics, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen financial resilience, support investment capacity, and improve operational margins.
Staff Leadership & Performance Management:
Supervise designated staff providing clear direction, performance expectations, and professional development support.
Foster a collaborative and results-driven culture that emphasizes accountability, communication, and service excellence.
Ensure staff have the tools, clarity, and environment needed to thrive and deliver strong outcomes.
Board Support:
Provide the Board of Directors with timely operational insights, performance updates, financial reporting, and membership analytics.
Support organizational planning, risk assessment, and prioritization processes that keep IABC future-focused and responsive.
Prepare high-quality materials, dashboards, and reports that enhance decision-making and visibility across the organization.
Basic Qualifications:- Experience in association management, membership, operations, or related functions, with demonstrated results in growth, retention, and engagement
- Strong project and process management discipline, with the ability to translate strategy into coordinated execution across functions
- Proven ability to improve operational systems, enhance member value, and manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
- Experience with CRM platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce), campaign execution, data management and performance reporting, as well as budgeting, financial analysis, and organizational performance management
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across staff teams, volunteer leaders, and external partners
- Familiarity with communications and public relations a plus
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred
- Where Do You Fit?
Whether you are just beginning your career or are a mid- or senior-level professional, working at Smithbucklin will offer you countless opportunities to develop transferable skills, acquire meaningful knowledge and gain rich experiences at an accelerated pace. By working collaboratively with smart, ambitious, multi-talented, genuine and hardworking colleagues, you will build meaningful, deep and enduring relationships that will serve you well throughout your career, regardless of your chosen path. In addition, as a 100 percent employee-owned company, Smithbucklin offers all of our people - regardless of position or compensation - an equal chance to experience the fulfillment and reap the benefits of ownership. As owners, our employees control the destiny of Smithbucklin and are unified in the goal of building a great, enduring company.
Smithbucklin is a hybrid work environment with in-office days established as Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Employees will work a standard 40-hour week, with the possibility of additional hours based on project deadlines.
Smithbucklin considers several factors when determining compensation, including a candidate's recent coursework, training, experience, and certifications, among other considerations. The expected pay for this role is $110,000- $130,000 annually. Equal Employment Opportunity
At Smithbucklin, Equal Employment Opportunity is our commitment and goal. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status or any other protected status designated by federal, state or local law. Applicants are encouraged to confidentially self-identify when applying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation based on position.
Smithbucklin will not sponsor applicants for work visas and as a precondition of employment. You must be authorized to work in the United States permanently.
