Chief Executive Officer

ABOUT TEA
The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) brings together the creators & makers of experiences worldwide – from the creative storytellers to the technical builders, from operators to investors, and from idea to operation and beyond – and provides them with the tools, education, advocacy, community, and connections they need to help grow their businesses and their careers.

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), founded in 1991, is the international non-profit association representing the leading creators of compelling places and experiences — worldwide. TEA encompasses 1,600 members representing over 20,000 individuals and four primary Divisions: Eastern North America, Western North America, Europe & Middle East, and Asia Pacific. The TEA has had an annual budget of between $2.6M to $3M.

Over the last 30 years, TEA has changed the global conversation about how exceptional guest experiences are conceived and delivered and focused international attention on a vital segment of popular culture. TEA's leading contributions include the annual Thea Awards, now recognized worldwide as the top industry honor, the annual SATE conferences (Storytelling, Architecture, Technology, Experience), the TEA INSPIRE and Thea Case Studies, the annual TEA Theme Index and Museum Index, the TEA Masters, which celebrates the professionals who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the growth and development of the industry, and the TEA NextGen Initiative to help students, recent grads, and newcomers to themed entertainment build careers in the industry.

STRATEGIC PLAN
Over the past three years, TEA has steadily worked towards recovery due to COVID-19 impacts to our industry. Now on the 3rd year of a 5-year strategic plan, the International Board is looking for a strong CEO to take the organization forward on delivering on the plan.

The 2022 – 2026 strategic plan has four main pillars of focus:

1. Community and Connection
   1. TEA is a globally diverse, growth-oriented and essential business forum for the themed entertainment industry.
2. Knowledge & Collaboration
   1. TEA is the premier knowledge source for the themed entertainment industry.
3. Leadership & Brand
   1. TEA is the premier knowledge source for the themed entertainment industry.
4. Organizational Excellence
   1. TEA is the universally recognized leader representing the creators of immersive destinations and experiences.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Themed Entertainment Association (“TEA”) is searching for a Chief Executive Officer to lead the next chapter of the organization. The International Board of Directors is seeking an executive with a strong reputation and industry experience, a confident, hands-on approach to leadership and international business acumen to implement the strategic plan of the TEA. The TEA has curated a professional staff team with association expertise, industry knowledge and operational capability to assist the CEO in rapidly embracing a management approach that is cognizant of global and industry trends, while embracing the rich history of the TEA and its constituents. Success in the role will be defined by the CEO’s ability to shepherd changes in processes, approaches, and strategies to facilitate the TEA’s financial, operational and mission excellence.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Innovation and Vision

• Support the refinement, implementation, and execution of TEA as the global creators and makers organization and articulate that message to prospective stakeholders.
• Productively harness creativity under a common purpose by aligning Board, staff, and volunteer leaders behind a clearly articulated and compelling vision of organizational goals and objectives, leading to a steady stream of programs, products, and services that members highly value and that generates revenue that can be continually invested back into the association and the industry it serves.
• Work with existing team and further develop a staffing structure to meet the realities of a current strategic plan to achieve TEA’s global growth initiatives.

Marketing, Membership and Programs

• Inspire and channel volunteer leaders to create, and staff to support the delivery of, compelling content for the industry through creative delivery formats.
• Maximize the impact of TEA’s global conferences, events, and mixers.
• Oversee the development of marketing and communications strategies that represent the TEA brand and core values worldwide while also telling the story of the industry it represents.
• Serve as public spokesperson for the association and promote the industry at multiple events and on various platforms.
• Clearly understand and articulate the relationship between TEA and adjacent organizations, such as IAAPA and others, and manage those relationships to the long-term benefit of the TEA.
• Continue engaging and delivering value for TEA’s global sponsors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Drive TEA’s member engagement strategies that attract new members and retain existing ones.
• Ensure that TEA’s programs meet and exceed member expectations.
• Generate new programs, products, and services that drive revenue for the organization.

Governance and Management

• Develop and mentor staff through inspirational leadership and guide staff adapting to change as the organization continues to transform itself.
• Develop, manage, and oversee the creation and implementation of the annual budget.
• Align financial systems and reporting with forecasting and business modelling.
• Assure that TEA always has an energetic, positive, and inclusive culture of communication and collaboration that leads to innovation and achievement.
• Ensure transparency in all aspects of the organization’s decision-making and delivery of its activities.
• Inspire regular, candid communication with International and Divisional board members and other leadership figures important to TEA’s cohesion and advancement, forging a common view of organizational goals and priorities.
• Support the Board President in facilitating a culture of healthy governance through annual education and ongoing conversations with, the Board.
• Develop and deliver a scorecard/dashboard that helps the Board and staff align for optimal organizational performance.
• Establish a structure that supports global growth and foreign subsidiaries.
• Invest in the technology that supports the processes and work of the organization to ensure continuous excellence in service to members.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS
Though specific KPIs will be developed between the Board and the newly hired executive, the following indicate the initial areas the KPIs likely will be built around in both the short term and the long term:

• Support the refinement and execution of the strategic plan that includes a defined global growth strategy and will generate revenue for the organization in a meaningful way.
• Maximize revenue opportunities from existing channels whilst supporting the development and refinement of new opportunities, using means or methods that likely goes beyond the pursuit of deeper penetration among existing members.
• Properly manage and optimize the association’s finances for profitability through oversight of: a) the creation and implementation of the annual budget, b) tracking and reconciliation of accounts payable and accounts receivable, c) periodic updates to operational cash flow projections, and d) accrued expenses relative to income.

EXPERIENCE
The successful candidate should possess the following experiences and qualifications:

• Experience as an executive at the highest levels of an organization, including working with a Board of Directors and/or Ownership.
• Proven Profit & Loss accountability at departmental or organizational level.
• An understanding of how to oversee the implementation, development and monetization of online and in-person events.
• Proven ability to build (and manage) strong, effective teams.
• Problem solver in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Results Focused – proven ability to deliver results.
• Track record of developing and nurturing strategic relationships and partnerships.
• Ability to fundraise and provide strategic sponsorship initiative direction.
• A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• A global perspective blended with multi-cultural awareness.
• Ability to manage teams, especially in a virtual setting.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Innovative and visionary thinking.
• Strong business acumen.
• Globally and culturally savvy with the ability to connect with others.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and experience.
• A collaborative leadership style.
• An approach to leadership and management that ensures success in a global organization.
• Ability to create a large impact with limited resources.
• Strong cross-cultural communications skills.
• Strong public speaker and industry promoter.
• Leads with integrity.
• Ethical reputation.
• High emotional intelligence.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate well with creative members.
• Proven ability to manage through change/transformation.