Description

Key Responsibilities

The CEO is hired by the Board of Directors and serves as an ex officio, non-voting member of the IBLCE and voting, ex officio member of the MILCC Boards. The CEO reports directly to the IBLCE Board Chair.

 Strategic Planning, Visioning, and Leadership

      Recommends and monitors credentialing and business strategy for future planning and sustainability.

      Leads and manages implementation of IBCLE’s strategic initiatives, including business strategies, integrity in the credentialing process, highest standards for IBCLCs, and ethical standards.

      Conducts both internal and external assessments to identify emerging issues that affect IBLCE and Affiliates and bring relevant issues to the attention of the Board of Directors. 

      Provides the Board with a vision of opportunities and changes in healthcare, business, technologies, and finance that can be leveraged to enhance the organization and its constituents. 

      Sets specific organizational goals and outcomes and performance metrics, under the direction of the Board of Directors.

      Evaluates, in broad-based terms, the potential income and expenses, and risks of a project, proposal, or strategy. 

      Communicates with key stakeholders to identify the changing needs and conditions of the stakeholders IBLCE and Affiliates serve. 

      Reviews and determines if programs and services are consistent with the IBLCE Vision and Mission statements. 

      Develops programmes, products, and services that advance Vision and Mission within the policy guidelines set by the Board of Directors for IBLCE and the Global Centre for Lactation Training (GCLT)®(the Centre). 

Board Administration and Support

      Partners with and supports the Board of Directors and committee leaders, while serving on all IBLCE Board Committees as a non-voting, ex officio member

      Collaborates with the Board on the development and updating of the strategic plan and implements the Board’s strategic plan, organisational goals, and objectives.

      Ensures the Board is kept informed on the conditions of the programs, finances, and important matters.

      Works closely with the Chair to develop Board meeting content and agendas, leadership orientation, and training.

      Ensures governance best practices are implemented, including volunteer conflict of interest form submissions. 

      Coordinates with and supports Committee Chairs, and works with staff liaisons, on meetings and required content and materials.

      Oversees, with the Centre staff, the development of products and services to enhance the profession and provide relevant education and training for those in the lactation field 

      Serves as a voting, ex-officio member of the Monetary Investment for Lacation Consultant Certification (MILCC) Board.

      Ensures that the IBCLC Commission maintains a liaison from the IBLCE Board of Directors. 

      Serves as staff liaison to the officers and directors, anticipating and meeting their needs for materials and information for decision-making, and supports them in fully performing their responsibilities.

      Provides advice and guidance in nonprofit organization governance, including legal compliance and financial reporting requirements.

      Stays informed and current in the lactation consultant profession and the business of credentialing. 

      Recommends policy changes when necessary to remain compliant with federal or state laws and regulations or accreditation standards.

      Oversees effective and efficient volunteer assignments and experiences consistent with best practices to ensure continued retention, engagement, and recruitment.

Policy Management and Finance

      Provides leadership and implements policy as approved by the Board, upholding and adhering to the IBLCE articles of incorporation, bylaws and policies. 

      In conjunction with the Treasurer and senior staff, develops a fiscally sound, appropriate budget for presentation to the Board one month before the September meeting. 

      Administers the organisational financial resources according to the approved budget.

      Schedules professional services for financial audits and periodic investment reviews.  

      Ensures legal compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including tax forms, filings, business licenses, and corporate annual reports.   

      Monitors cash flow and investment account reports. 

      Monitors and reviews income and expenditures and ensures budget integrity within policies and special projects already defined by the Board. 

      Advises the finance committee and ensures they receive relevant documentation as defined by the Board. 

      Provides oversight and builds strong working relationships with the IBLCE financial services consultants and agents. 

      Produces regular financial reports for the Board, including a brief analysis of any variances or unexpected changes. 

      Manages and periodically seeks review of cybersecurity and insurance portfolios to ensure appropriate risk management, property is safeguarded, and compliance with privacy regulations.

 Operational and Human Resources Management

      Hires, plans, organizes, and directs the operational programs and activities to accomplish objectives and to fulfill responsibilities. 

      Leads, manages, empowers, and mentors the staff. Sets the staff culture and encourages and supports ongoing professional development.

      Oversees independent contractor agreements and appropriate related processes, including IBLCE Country Coordinators.

      Encourages team building by facilitating open communication and positive working relationships with staff. 

      Oversees the staff organizational structure with sufficient human resources needed to carry out the operational plan and ensures salary expense alignment with the approved budget.

      Updates and maintains appropriate human resources policies, including compensation plans, consistent with nonprofit best practices.

      Ensures compliance with all federal and state employment laws and regulations.

      Interprets Board policy and decisions to staff. 

 Community and Public Relations

      In conjunction with the Chair of the IBLCE Board, serves as an official spokesperson for the IBLCE and, when lactation practice professional expertise is required, consults with the Chair to determine the appropriate organizational representative.

      Oversees development of a marketing and communications strategy and plan to increase the visibility of IBLCE and Affiliates’ programs, products, and services to stakeholders. 

      Develops and maintains productive relationships with related professional organizations, aligned with the IBCLE Mission and Vision.

      Represents the IBLCE to professional associations, affiliate groups, and other stakeholders, relevant organizations, the media, and the public at large. 

      Oversees communications with IBCLCs, candidates and lactation stakeholders via telephone, email, or writing and ensures accurate information and high-quality services. 

      Writes articles as required, particularly for the Journal of Human Lactation.

 Legal Obligations

      Negotiates and administers the contracts within constraints set by the Board of Directors after consultation with legal counsel.

      Provides oversight and builds strong working relationships with external legal counsel. 

      Keeps current on legal requirements, ensuring that risks and opportunities are identified and evaluated. 

      Working with IBLCE & Affiliates leadership, reviews potential decisions in light of the WHO Code and IBLCE’s and Affiliates’ global scope.

      Together with volunteer leadership, oversees the peer driven and consensus provision of the IBLCE Procedures for Discipline and ensures confidentiality of materials and outcomes.

 Credentialing Programme Management; IBCLC® Examination; and NCCA Accreditation   

       Oversees the examination and certification processes staff leads. Regularly reviews and ensures that all processes are performed in compliance with standards, policies, and written agreement terms, including contracted services.

      Maintains trademark renewals as required.

      Ensures the production and execution of a valid, defensible examination worldwide in multiple languages. 

      Maintains the security of the exam and the confidentiality of related information.

      Assures professional and geographical representation on the IBCLC Commission and committees. 

      Continues seeking ways to update and improve the IBCLC examination, its implementation, and its processes. 

      Coordinates exam-related issues with the Exam Team and the Examination Development Committee. 

      Works with the Appeals Committee to investigate and address any appeals. 

      Manages and ensures the organisation’s compliance with ICE's accrediting body standards. 

      Serves as an organisational liaison with ICE's accrediting body; maintains standards compliance evidence, oversees the preparation and submission of Annual Reports and five-year Renewal Applications.

Requirements

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications 

      Minimum 10 years of progressive career leadership and management experience in nonprofit organizations. CEO, Executive Director, or senior-level experience is preferred.

      Bachelor’s degree preferred.

      Global experience (lived or professional) and multicultural mindset and awareness are required

      Experience working with a nonprofit board of directors is required.

      Experience leading and managing an accredited professional certification program, including experience in examination development and compliance, is desired. 

      A passion for supporting breastfeeding people. 

      A Certified Association Executive (CAE), Credentialing Specialist (ICE-CCP), or another relevant industry designation is a plus.

      A legal mindset/experience would be helpful.

      Experience reporting directly to, and partnering with, a nonprofit board of directors and working with committee volunteers.

      Proven solid business and finance acumen with a track record of financial and budgeting responsibilities. Understands the business of certification.

      Commitment to high standards and innovation in credentialing practices and testing accessibility.

      Strong communication skills: presentation, verbal, and written.

      Highly effective listening skills and sound, thoughtful decision-making processes.

      Proven experience and skills with successful change management implementation.

      Experience leading and managing staff, encouraging team building in both virtual and hybrid environments, and with ongoing and regular communication, continuous professional development, and accountability for organizational and individual goals.

      High emotional intelligence (El) and interpersonal, relationship-building skills, including diplomacy.

      Humility to learn what they don't know, and demonstrate the initiative to pursue appropriate professional development, including credentials, relevant to the CEO role and IBLCE work.