ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Auto Care Association is the voice of the $516.6 billion auto care industry, an industry projected to exceed $664 billion by 2028. The association provides advocacy, education, networking, technology, market intelligence, and communications resources to serve the collective interests of its members. Auto Care serves the entire supply chain of the automotive aftermarket, including businesses that manufacture, distribute, and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials, and supplies, as well as companies that perform vehicle service, maintenance, and repair. The industry employs approximately 4.9 million people, supports more than 298 million vehicles on the road, and encompasses more than 280,000 service outlets across the United States.

They serve more than 9,000 member companies in a variety of important ways, each designed to help them maintain their position as innovative and impactful businesses. Its government affairs team represents the industry's complex set of interests before federal and state legislators and regulators, advocating for policies that support member businesses. The association provides access to the most widely used standards in North America and best practices in e-commerce and technology to help lower costs and increase efficiency. It supports members' professional development through education, meetings, events, and business resources. Their annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) is one of the world's premier automotive aftermarket trade shows, connecting the global community of auto parts manufacturers, technology suppliers, distributors, retailers, and industry professionals.

The Auto Care Association’s market intelligence and data innovation experts assess trends reshaping the industry, while its international programs support members seeking opportunities in the global marketplace. The association's award-winning communications keep members informed about critical industry issues, association programs, and initiatives while elevating the profile and influence of the automotive aftermarket. As vehicle technology continues to evolve, Auto Care also plays a leading role in helping the industry navigate emerging issues such as connected vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), artificial intelligence, vehicle data access, and Right to Repair, ensuring the independent aftermarket remains innovative, competitive, and well-positioned for the future.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The President & CEO will provide overall executive leadership for Association and partner with the Board of Directors to shape the future strategic direction of the organization. The CEO will ensure the highest quality of member services and a robust value proposition while upholding the fiscal, legal, and ethical integrity of the organization. In collaboration with the Board and staff, the President & CEO will lead the development and execution of the Association’s strategic plans, deepen strategic partnerships and relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, promote the Association as the leading voice of the auto care industry, and ensure the organization's long-term viability. The CEO will lead a team of ~50 full-time staff and oversee an organization with approximately $29.9 million in annual revenue.

This position offers an opportunity to provide transformative leadership, making a meaningful impact on behalf of the auto care industry. The Auto Care Association’s members face several key challenges and opportunities for which the CEO will provide strategic leadership, including navigating a dynamic legislative, political, and regulatory environment at federal and state levels. The CEO will also continue to develop critical global relationships and partnerships in support of members' global growth.

The CEO will be a relational and high-impact leader who brings strong leadership, management, and critical thinking skills, with an inclusive and dedicated focus on advancing the mission of the Association. The CEO will perform a vital role in strategically amplifying the industry's voice and enhancing the association's public and political credibility and brand, which are critical to effectively advancing the interests of its membership.

The President & CEO will be responsible for the following: 

Strategic & Operational Leadership:

• Provide forward-thinking strategic leadership in collaboration with the Board and staff that support the development and execution of the Association’s strategic vision and goals. 

• Ensure measurable progress and focus on the Association’s strategic goals and align resources to these priorities.

• Monitor industry trends and anticipate emerging issues to inform strategic positioning and resource allocation. Remain agile and open to environmental changes, including economic, public relations, political, regulatory, and legislative trends at the federal and state levels. Recommend actions to the Board as appropriate.

• Ensure that the organization provides a strong member value proposition and remains relevant to current and prospective members. 

• Position the organization to thrive and demonstrate resiliency in the context of a dynamic political, regulatory, and economic environment.

Board Relations & Governance:

• Build and maintain a trusting, collaborative working relationship with the Board, ensuring proactive engagement, transparency, and open communications.

• Collaborate and partner with the Board to develop and implement strategic goals and achieve budget objectives and provide ongoing communications on progress toward their achievement.

• Support the Board in promoting Board effectiveness and strong governance practices. 

• Proactively assist the Board in identifying key emerging opportunities, issues, and risks, along with recommendations on how to address them.

• Forge consensus on key issues among a diverse Board.

Advocacy, Public Policy, and Strategic Communications 

• Create a proactive advocacy and communications strategy to advance the industry's policy priorities. 

• Oversee the Association’s public policy team to advance both legislative and regulatory priority issues on a bi-partisan basis, pivoting as needed given the dynamic political landscape at the federal and state levels.

• Forge coalitions where the Association’s interests can best be advanced in conjunction with other organizations with mutual interests. 

• Leverage all forms and platforms of media to promote priorities. 

• Represent the Association as a spokesperson before external stakeholders and media.

Member and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as the primary relationship-builder with member companies, ensuring consistent engagement and value delivery – to both small and large company members. 

• Lead with a hands-on, service-oriented approach that deepens member trust and retention. Personally engage with key staff in membership development, retention, and engagement.

• Forge consensus across the diverse membership on key issues to strengthen and unify the voice of the industry before policymakers.

• Provide opportunities for connectivity and business engagement across the membership.

• Ensure the entire team is member-focused to ensure outstanding service.

• Assess opportunities for global growth and build strategies for future expansion.

Staff Leadership:

• Attract, motivate, empower, and develop a mission-driven, collaborative results-oriented team committed to service, excellence, and innovation.

• Cultivate a team-oriented, transparent internal culture that reflects the organization’s core values and commitment to member success. Cultivate cross-division collaboration and foster a culture of integrity, accountability, teamwork, transparency, mutual respect, and member service.

• Serve as a staff leader and coach, who is open-minded to innovation, leveraging technology, and approaches to effectively advance the organization's strategic goals.

Financial & Operational Oversight:

• Maintain the financial health of the organization, including annual budgeting, forecasting, and dues/non-dues revenue strategy, including educational programming, standards, and the annual business expo. Assess AAPEX for opportunities to strengthen its value proposition to all participants, streamline expenses, and grow attendance.

• Ensure strong membership retention and growth and evaluate additional non-dues revenue services that provide value to the members.

• Evaluate the entirety of the organization’s infrastructure and operations, including its overall business model, revenue mix, resource allocation, staffing models, IT infrastructure, and accountability structures, to support program delivery and ensure continued agility, success, and longevity of the organization.

• Prepare annual budget aligned to the Association’s strategic plan for review and approval by the Board of Directors. Make recommendations for priority investments that advance the industry’s goals.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local codes, regulations, and ordinances.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS  

The Auto Care Association seeks a President & CEO who is a visionary, strategic, and articulate leader with credibility and influence to effectively advance the organization’s mission and strategic goals on behalf of the auto care industry. The candidate will have a record of accomplishment for effectively partnering with a diverse Board of Directors and professional staff to forge a consensus on the organization’s priorities and a unified voice before government officials, the industry, and the media. The CEO will have experience overseeing the development of a strategic communications plan, designed to effectively educate and influence key audiences, position the Association as the leading voice for the industry, and achieve progress toward strategic industry goals. The successful candidate will have a solid record of effective staff and fiscal leadership either as a President & CEO or with a proven record of successful executive leadership of several relevant organizational functions. 

The ideal candidate will possess the following background, experience, and leadership competencies:  

• Executive-level experience overseeing the effective development and implementation of an organization’s strategic plan; working collaboratively and transparently with a diverse Board of Directors; ensuring the fiscal health and sustainability of an organization; and leading a diverse team of professionals accountable for achieving the strategic goals of an organization. 

• Executive presence and gravitas, with an ability to galvanize and engage a high-profile industry Board on a priority agenda and amplify the voice of the industry before key audiences including government officials, industry, business partners, peer associations, and media. 

• Strong working knowledge of federal and state government, including legislative and regulatory affairs. An ability and passion for quickly engaging in the legislative and regulatory issues facing the auto care industry to advance its agenda with credibility on a bi-partisan basis.

• An effective, credible, and influential communicator and spokesperson for all audiences including government officials, media, and business leaders. Outstanding written, oral, and presentation communication skills. Ability to clearly articulate the message and earn respect from their audience. A strong listener.

• A visionary leader capable of anticipating and addressing significant industry challenges and opportunities. Innovative and open-minded to new ideas generated by the Board, membership, and the staff.

• Strong analytical skills with the capability of analyzing and articulating complex and strategic issues and their potential impacts for decision-making for staff, Board members, and key business partners.

• Strong financial and business acumen to ensure the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of ACA. 

• Experience designing and delivering member-driven business development or B2B programming. Experience with annual meetings and/or trade shows a plus.

• Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, and influence skills with a record of accomplishment for successfully working with and balancing the needs of a wide range of diverse stakeholders including government officials, industry leaders, members, and media. 

• Prior working knowledge of the vehicle repair and after-market or adjacent industries is preferred.

• Experienced staff leader, with demonstrated accomplishment for leading a dynamic organization; attracting, developing, and motivating strong talent; managing and mentoring a high-performing, empowered team in a results-oriented, fast paced changing environment. 

• A record of accomplishment for building strong alliances and coalitions with organizations that share common objectives. 

• Strong emotional intelligence, with an ability to forge consensus, collaborate, and lead with humility, compassion, and empathy. 

• The courage and conviction to challenge and defend ideas and strategies before opponents and advocate before diverse audiences on the industry’s priorities. 

• Strong entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to translate new opportunities into measurable results. A future leaning perspective on the digital world, including new media and AI.

• A reputation for strong integrity and sound judgement, upholding high ethical standards

EDUCATION

A bachelor’s degree is required. A relevant advanced degree is highly desirable (JD, MBA, etc.).

Location: The position is based in Bethesda, MD. While the organization operates on a hybrid basis, the leadership team is in the office. Candidates should reside in the Greater Washington, DC region. Relocation package will be offered.

COMPENSATION

The anticipated salary range for this position is $500,000–$550,000, plus incentive bonus, commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications, experience, and overall fit. Final compensation will be determined commensurate with candidate experience and in consultation with the client.

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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.