President & CEO

About Chicago Loop Alliance 

The Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA), founded in 2005, is a member-based organization that leads the community by creating and supporting inclusive programs that attract people and investment to the Loop, the largest central business district in Chicago. CLA promotes the Loop as a premiere destination for workers, residents, visitors, and tourists, striving to ensure the Loop remains a vibrant global business district and recognized world-class destination.

From shopping on State Street – “That Great Street” – to wandering one of the country's largest art museums, the Loop has something for everyone. The Loop is home to world-class cultural attractions like the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Cultural Center, the theatre district; public art; financial, educational, philanthropic institutions; restaurants and more. Many of the most iconic sites in Chicago are located in the Loop, including Cloud Gate (“the Bean”) in Millennium Park, Chicago Theatre, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Chicago Board of Trade, Picasso and Calder statues, Lakefront Trail, and the Riverwalk.

The Loop is home to a large, talented and diverse workforce in a cosmopolitan setting, as well as an estimated 42 percent of the city's supply of competitive office space. A strong mix of businesses, including Fortune 500 companies like Aon Corporation, Archer Daniels Midland, Exelon, Google and United Airlines to name just a few — are housed in the Loop. Numerous institutes of higher learning serve growing companies with a well-qualified pool of local applicants from which to recruit, and a boom in residential development, with new housing and rental stock emerging on the market. The Loop continues to be the city’s fastest growing neighborhood and the fastest growing residential downtown in the country, making it a vibrant urban neighborhood in all aspects. 

In addition to the spectacular sites everyone sees when they visit, work, or live in the Loop, it is the nexus of the city, the crossroads of Chicago. Did you know that State and Madison is where east/west and north/south addresses all hit zero in the city? People from every neighborhood in Chicago, and surrounding states, come to the Loop each day to work in the central business district. You haven’t really seen Chicago if you haven’t spent some time in the Loop. 

As a diverse and multifaceted organization, Chicago Loop Alliance (501c6): 

• Represents the Chicago Loop, the largest central business district in the U.S. outside ofMidtown Manhattan
• Services the oldest and largest Special Service Area in Chicago (SSA#1-2015, State Street between Ida B. Wells and Wacker Drive)
• Works with affiliate organization, Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation (501c3), to create free arts and culture programs, such as Sundays on State
• Promotes the Loop as a premier destination for workers, residents, visitors, and tourists

Learn more about Chicago Loop Alliance's projects and services at https://loopchicago.com/join/about-us/projects/. 

The Opportunity

The Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) is seeking a visionary strategist and ambassador to lead the organization to its next level of impact. This is an exceptional opportunity to join an established, successful organization and collaborate with its stakeholders to chart a pathway for future growth and impact, continuing to elevate CLA as a best-in-class leader and boldly champion a dynamic, sustainable future for the Loop. 

The President & CEO of CLA advances its mission to lead the community by creating and supporting inclusive programs that attract people and investment to the Loop. The ideal candidate will have the skills and experience to manage a dynamic Board and team and work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders including business owners, civic and city leaders, cultural institutions, and the local community. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide overall strategic leadership and vision for the organization in alignment with its mission and goals; translate strategic vision into measurable objectives and lead with accountability to drive cross-functional alignment, performance outcomes, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Inspire and empower staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, positive, and high-performing workplace culture.
• Develop and maintain relationships with philanthropic, business, and public sectors to increase awareness of CLA’s impact and increase its donor base within a competitive nonprofit funding environment.
• Drive membership growth and retention through values-driven programming and advocacy.
• Lead CLA’s efforts to create a Loop-wide Business Improvement District (BID).
• Cultivate partnerships with public and private entities to drive economic development, cultural vibrancy, and innovation in the Loop.
• Ensure the highest standard of financial management and the adequacy/soundness of CLA’s financial structure.
• Serve as an active ambassador for CLA’s mission and vision with key stakeholders and the media, strengthening the perception of the Loop as well as the organization’s brand and voice in media, public forums and government relations and representing CLA both in the city, regionally and nationally.
• Oversee placemaking initiatives, events, and programs that increase pedestrian activity and community engagement.
• Communicate effectively with the Board of Directors and provide, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
• Oversee the administration of Chicago’s oldest and largest Special Service Area (SSA#1-2015), including budgeting, operations, and service delivery.

Candidate Profile

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics. 

Passion for the Mission 

• An authentic passion for the mission of CLA and excitement for the opportunities ahead for the organization.
• A deep love for, and belief in, the power of urban landscapes to create both community and economic opportunity.

Strategic & Visionary Mindset

• A strategic leader eager and energized to develop and articulate an innovative vision for the next chapter of a multifaceted organization.
• Proven success in leading mission-driven teams, achieving measurable programmatic impact, and driving sustainable fiscal growth.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change and transformation with transparency, strategic vision, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in scaling innovative programs, strengthening operational infrastructure, and navigating the complexities of public and private sector funding landscapes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills that support and enable sound decision-making. Ability to quickly pivot and act decisively in the face of emerging situations and circumstances while still maintaining focus on big-picture vision and strategy.

Skilled Fundraiser & Relationship Builder 

• Experience in strategic, collaborative fundraising and building organizational capacity to creatively diversify fundraising opportunities from a diverse range of sources.
• Demonstration of promoting a powerful sense of shared purpose and engagement among all constituents through effective internal and external communication.
• Experience as a key spokesperson and public face of the organization to community and government partners, media, funders, and others.
• Ability to successfully convey an organization’s mission and objectives with clarity to a wide range of private, nonprofit, and public constituents in written and verbal communications.
• An external leader who will be an inspirational advocate for CLA’s mission.

Empowering & Collaborative Leader

• Track record of leading talented and passionate teams through an inspirational and empathic approach, fostering positive environments that encourage participation, collaboration, innovation, and empowerment across functions.
• A transparent communicator and natural listener who ensures all voices are heard, while also being firm and resolute in decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, break down silos, and establish unity across diverse stakeholders through effective and inclusive communication.
• An inclusive leader with emotional intelligence, empathy, and listening skills – offers regular transparency and open communication; seeks feedback and is low-ego.

Nonprofit Business Acumen & Management

• Experience with nonprofit operations/leadership, including sound financial planning, oversight, and accountability; track record of clear communication of financial status to staff, board, and key stakeholders.
• Strong nonprofit management skills with an understanding of how to build and implement effective infrastructures and systems that increase internal capacity and efficiency.
• Track record of setting priorities decisively, delegating responsibilities, ensuring accountability, and allocating resources to ensure teams are set up to excel.
• Experience building and working with an engaged Board of Directors, guiding meetings, and holding Directors accountable to governance responsibilities in a productive, efficient, and collaborative manner.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, urban planning, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in executive leadership roles, particularly in downtown management, urban development, economic development, nonprofit management, or public-private partnerships.
• Business Improvement District experience a plus.
• An understanding of Chicago’s political, social, and economic landscape a plus.
• Experience working with local, state and federal agencies a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

Chicago Loop Alliance offers a total compensation package, with a salary range of $200,000 to $220,000, bonus potential and an appropriate benefits package. Note that the final salary will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences and qualifications. Candidates are required to live in, or relocate to, the City of Chicago.

Contact 

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Tiara Muse and Erin Reedy. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential. 

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process. 

Chicago Loop Alliance is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity, welcoming candidates of all backgrounds to apply.