PRESIDENT/CEO
San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
Reports To: Board of Directors
Exempt
Location: Onsite, San Rafael, CA
Compensation: $140,000 – $150,000 base salary plus annual performance-based merit and bonus incentives

Founded in 1920, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) business advocacy organization and a pillar of the City of San Rafael and Marin County economy. Named the 2026 California Chamber of the Year, we serve as a vital link between our members, regional officials, and the broader community. Our mission is to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient business environment by providing a strong, unified voice for our members.

The Opportunity
The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce is seeking a strategic President/CEO to build upon our legacy as the 2026 California Chamber of the Year and lead the next era of economic vitality in the heart of Marin County. Reporting to a diverse Board of business and community leaders, the ideal candidate is a sophisticated thought leader with strong business and association management experience, capable of navigating political landscapes and bridging diverse stakeholder interests to advance the Chamber’s mission.

Mission
The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) is a member-based business advocacy organization providing a strong voice in support of the economic vitality of our community.

Ideal Candidate

• A trusted connector between business and government
• A credible partner to elected officials
• A visible advocate for business owners
• A coalition builder across the entire community
• A steward of the Chamber’s financial sustainability
• An early adopter and long-term champion for San Rafael’s responsible economic growth

• Experience & Governance: 5+ years of nonprofit or business leadership experience, with Chamber or association background strongly preferred. Comprehensive understanding of nonprofit governance, membership management, and fiscal sponsorship (including 501(c)(6) vs. 501(c)(3) operational nuances).
• Political & Policy Leadership: Proven political acumen and experience as a "policy champion," capable of navigating complex landscapes, building consensus among diverse stakeholders, and assertively advocating for business interests in the political arena.
• Regulatory & Permitting: Demonstrated success in navigating municipal regulatory and permitting environments is preferred; proven ability to build candid, solution-oriented relationships with public officials to accelerate project approvals and resolve operational hurdles.
• Operational Autonomy: Proven track record of operational autonomy; demonstrated ability to thrive effectively managing competing priorities without extensive administrative support.
• Leadership & Management: A servant-leadership style balanced with an entrepreneurial spirit. Ability to motivate teams and represent the Chamber with integrity, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Financial Management: Financial literacy, including budgeting, grant writing, executive stewardship of financial resources, including strategic oversight of the bookkeeper, and Board-level reporting.
• Contracts & Partnerships: Experience managing municipal contracts or public-private partnerships strongly preferred.
• Communication & Representation: Exceptional public speaking and persuasive writing skills, with the ability to represent the Chamber effectively across private, public, and government settings, including delivering remarks at high-visibility community events.
• Availability: Flexibility to engage during business hours, with the energy to attend evening and weekend community commitments as required.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in CRM systems preferred(e.g., GrowthZone/ChamberMaster), Microsoft Office, project management, and digital tools (e.g., Constant Contact, Adobe, Canva).

Vision, Strategy & Leadership

• Lead the Board, staff, members, and stakeholders in implementing the organization’s mission, guiding it through regular strategic planning cycles.
• Analyze demographic and economic trends affecting the San Rafael business community and translate them into Chamber strategy and programming.
• Think innovatively to identify revenue-generating opportunities and strategic partnerships that will enhance the member experience, support advocacy initiatives, and fund investment in the Chamber’s critical work (staffing and business resources).

Member Relations & Programs

• Direct membership strategy to ensure effective recruitment and retention, providing oversight on team performance and organizational growth targets.
• Foster high-level strategic relationships with key stakeholders while providing executive oversight on the planning and impact of all Chamber programs and events.
• Guide the development of member-value programs and services, ensuring the team utilizes member feedback to maximize ROI and align with organizational goals.

Public Relations & Advocacy

• Serve as the Chamber’s spokesperson, ambassador, and advocate across business, government, and community audiences.
• Maintain close relationships with local, regional, state, and federal officials; attend governmental meetings and hearings on issues important to members.
• Oversee external communications, branding, and positioning via the website, social channels, newsletters, and media to convey the Chamber’s accomplishments and value.
• Navigate the unique and complex political landscape of San Rafael and Marin County by building high-impact relationships with local, regional, and state officials, nonprofits, and business leaders, while leveraging a proven track record of maintaining stability in public-private partnerships to drive advocacy initiatives.
• Serve as a proactive liaison between the business community and local government, working collaboratively with City leadership to streamline permitting and regulatory processes to foster an efficient, business-friendly environment for new and existing enterprises.

Public-Private Partnerships

• Serve as primary liaison and responsible officer for the Chamber’s municipal contracts, including the administration of the Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District (BID) agreement with the City of San Rafael.
• Ensure strict adherence to contractual obligations, reporting requirements, and performance benchmarks defined in all public-private partnership agreements.
• Manage and navigate complex relationships with municipal partners, the BID Advisory Council, and other key stakeholders, balancing the Chamber’s autonomy with its commitments to City-funded initiatives.
• Oversee the integration of contracted services into the Chamber’s broader mission, ensuring that program delivery remains effective, transparent, and aligned with organizational resources.
• Facilitate and host strategic governmental meetings, including managing the candidate endorsement interview process and mediating policy discussions between key stakeholders.
• Cultivate and court high-level Chamber investors by designing exclusive advocacy-focused experiences that provide them with unique insights into the regional political and economic landscape.

Governance & Organizational Management

• Work closely with the Board and committees to support effective governance, transparency, and accountability.
• Ensure the organization meets all regulatory and reporting requirements, including PAC filings.
• Assess and refine organizational structure, staffing, and technology to maintain operational effectiveness.

Staff & Human Resources

• Hire, mentor, and manage a high-performing staff and specialized consultants, fostering a collaborative culture aligned with our strategic goals.
• Ensure full compliance with CA employment law, including proactive oversight of equitable pay, job classifications, and evolving workplace regulations.
• Encourage staff to think creatively and intentionally to deliver high-quality service, innovative programming, and exceptional value to our members.
• Oversee external resources including bookkeeping, human resources, governmental affairs, and support from CalChamber.

Financial Management

• Ensure the organization’s financial health through sound budgeting, operational efficiency, financial management, and reporting (including workers' comp, tax prep for CPA, etc.).
• Oversee all revenue-generating activities (programs, events, member activities) and provide the Board with quarterly financial and operational reporting, trend analysis, and recommendations with the support of the bookkeeper.

Marin Leadership Foundation / SRLI Program Liaison

• Sits on the MLF Board and represents SRLI’s interests and activities, specific to sponsored participant attendance and the class project, which is the primary reason for the fiscal sponsorship.
• Has fiscal oversight of the donated funds through grants or private donations. 
• Works closely with the MLF Treasurer on all financial matters tied to SRLI’s Class Project, including grant writing, grant expenditure tracking, budgeting, and bookkeeping.

BID Administration & Public-Private Partnerships

Compensation and Benefits

• Reimbursement for reasonable and necessary business-related expenses incurred in the performance of duties, in accordance with Chamber policy.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 2 weeks of accrued vacation time for the first four years and accrued sick leave of a maximum of 1 day per month (max. 30 days).
• 13 paid holidays
• Professional development and membership opportunities.

To Apply