SBE Conducts Search for next Executive Director

June 1, 2020

The Society of Broadcast Engineers has engaged in a search for its next executive director. She or he will succeed the current, long-time executve director who is retiring on December 31, 2020.

About the Society of Broadcast Engineers

The Society of Broadcast Engineers, Incorporated (SBE), a non-profit, professional organization formed in 1964, is devoted to the advancement of all levels and types of broadcast engineering. Operating from our national headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, the SBE is a chapter-based membership association with approximately 5,000 members and 115 local chapters nationwide. The SBE provides education and training programs to expand technical skills, and its certification program is a standard-bearer for professional competency in broadcast and communications engineering.

The SBE offers a forum for the exchange of ideas and the sharing of information allowing engineers to keep pace with the rapidly changing broadcast industry. The SBE's frequency coordination program facilitates the use by broadcast engineers of radio spectrum for program and electronic news production. The SBE also advocates before Federal agencies and the United States Congress on technical regulatory issues that affect broadcast engineers.

Position Qualifications and Description

The SBE requires a visionary Executive Director with a proven track record of management skills to lead the SBE forward in a time of rapid change in the broadcast and telecommunications industry beginning in January of 2021, and to develop plans and strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization and to develop and promote services for the benefit of the members.

The SBE Executive Director serves as CEO, and works with a volunteer Board of Directors in formulating and implementing the mission, goals, objectives and policies of the SBE. She or he exercises general and active management of the administration and finances of the SBE. The Executive Director will make it a priority to help define the SBE’s strategic direction, ensuring that resources are in place to accomplish important mission goals; recruiting and retaining staff; keeping staff positively motivated and capable of exceeding expectations in service to the members; and building an inclusive, cooperative culture of service to members which supports the SBE’s mission.

The principal duties of the Executive Director include oversight and management of the administration of the SBE including services, financial resources, staff and property; to develop, plan for and attend meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Committees; to implement board policies; serve as primary contact with industry partners; promote the advocacy program, and build industry and governmental alliances. The Executive Director serves as the treasurer of the Society's 501(C)3 foundation, the Ennes Educational Foundation Trust.

The position requires timely support and assistance to SBE members, chapters, Board committees, and contract partners, and the negotiation and administration of contracts with Board direction. The Executive Director manages finances, prepares financial reports, an annual budget and employee payroll and records, and other duties assigned by the Board of Directors, including industry conference and convention planning and arrangements.

Position Requirements

The successful candidate for this position will have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with academic credentials related to business, public administration or management of non-profit organizations; Experience in association management is preferred, ideally including experience as CEO or executive director of a non-profit association, and a Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification from the American Society of Association Executives (or a willingness to obtain such). Management skills necessary to enable SBE to fulfill its mission and goals, including interpersonal and communication skills necessary to successfully manage employees, work effectively with volunteer leadership, volunteers in the chapter organization, and relate to members. The position calls for residency in the area of Indianapolis, Indiana and entry into a contract of employment.

The SBE is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply

Prepare and email a cover letter, describing what makes you qualified for this position, your resume and at least three professional references of persons familar with your work. Address materials to: Chair, SBE Executive Director Search Committee, and email them to: executivedirectorsearch@sbe.org. Include your email address and a daytime telephone number.

About Indianapolis

Indianapolis is the state capital and most populous city of Indiana. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion County is 876,862, making it the 17th most populous city in the U.S. The Indianapolis metropolitan area is the 34th most populous metropolitan statistical area in the U.S., with 2,048,703 residents. 

The "Crossroads of America" has, since 1970 a city-county consolidated government. Indianapolis economically is based primarily on the sectors of finance and insurance, manufacturing, professional and business services, education and health care, government, and wholesale trade. The city has notable niche markets in amateur sports and auto racing. The Fortune 500 companies of Anthem, Eli Lilly and Company, and Simon Property Group are headquartered in Indianapolis. 

The city has hosted many international multi-sport events, such as the 1987 Pan American Games and 2001 World Police and Fire Games, but is perhaps best known for annually hosting the world's largest single-day sporting event, the Indianapolis 500. It is the headquaters city of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Indianapolis is home to two major league sports clubs, the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). The city served as host of the 2012 NFL Super Bowl and will be the host of the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.

Indianapolis is home to a number institutions of higher education, including the University of Indianapolis, Butler University, Marian University, and Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). Ball State University, Indiana State University, Indiana Unversity and Purdue University are all within 90 minutes of the city.

The city's robust philanthropic community supports numerous cultural assets, including the world's largest children's museum, one of the nation's largest privately funded zoos, historic buildings and sites, and public art. The city is home to the largest collection of monuments dedicated to veterans and war casualties in the U.S. outside of Washington, D.C. The city also supports the arts, including the Newfields-Indianapolis Museam of Art, Eiteljorg Museum, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indiana Repertory Theater and many others.

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