Introduction
Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) is a leading nonprofit professional association dedicated to protecting the jewelry industry against crime. Since its establishment in 1883, JSA has been at the forefront of safeguarding jewelers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers from theft, robbery, and other security threats. JSA has been considered a trusted resource to the jewelry industry since its founding.
With a rich heritage spanning over 140 years, JSA has continually evolved to meet the changing needs and challenges of the jewelry industry. Committed to proactive prevention and education, JSA provides members with comprehensive security resources, training programs, and industry-wide alerts to empower businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance their security measures.
At the heart of JSA’s mission is the close collaboration between law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, and the jewelry industry. Through strategic partnerships and information sharing, JSA facilitates a unified approach to combating crime and minimizing risks across the jewelry supply chain. JSA’s Annual Crime Report provides critical information regarding trends and other patterns in the types of crimes committed again US jewelry firms. The organization serves as a valuable resource for the industry as whole regarding safeguards and approaches to protecting jewelry companies and their employees.
Driven by a passion for excellence and integrity, JSA remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting a safe and secure environment for all constituents in the jewelry community. As a trusted authority in jewelry security, JSA sets the standard for best practices, innovation, and advocacy, ensuring the resilience and prosperity of the industry for generations to come.
JSA has an annual operating budget of $1.4M, a dedicated and highly effective team of seven comprising five full-time and two part-time staff members, and 19,000 corporate and individual members across the US.
For more information on JSA, please visit www.jewelerssecurity.org.
The Opportunity
JSA seeks an accomplished and visionary President to provide strategic leadership and oversight of the organization’s focus, direction, and core activities. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, this leader will play a pivotal role in continuing to advance JSA’s mission, enhance industry-wide security measures, and foster collaborative partnerships within the industry and associated organizations.
Key Responsibilities:
Board Relations: Foster effective communication and collaboration with the Board of Directors, preparing materials for meetings, and providing ongoing support and consultation.
Content, Media, and Public Relations: Lead efforts to disseminate press releases, interviews, and articles to trade and general media outlets. Develop and implement strategies to enhance JSA’s visibility and engage with key stakeholders. Oversee the re-design of JSA brand materials and participate in webinars and podcasts.
Fundraising: Maintain and cultivate relationships with major partners, constituents, and supporters. Develop grant proposals, handle billing, and explore and cultivate new sources of financial support.
Management: Supervise and evaluate all team members within the organization, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and objectives. Lead recruitment efforts and oversee salary, benefits, and workload distribution.
Finance: Provide oversight of dues billing, financial reporting, and banking activities. Collaborate with bookkeepers and accountants to ensure compliance and transparency.
Administrative Oversight: Manage insurance, pension, and payroll functions. Supervise vendors and suppliers, including IT consultants and office equipment providers.
In-Person Events: Organize and oversee key industry events such as the JSA Annual Luncheon in March and represent JSA at relevant conferences and gatherings.
Location: JSA’s offices are in New York City and the team members, based in the New York metropolitan area, currently utilize a hybrid schedule, with staff in the office two to three days a week, depending on their scope of responsibilities and relevant scheduled meetings. The President is on a similar schedule, unless traveling on behalf of the organization.
Candidate Profile
While it is understood that no one candidate will bring every desired skill, characteristic, and experience, the following offers a reflection of the ideal candidate profile.
Our client seeks a leader who has an abiding interest in and/or experience with the jewelry industry and/or affiliated fields (e.g., insurance, high-end retail, law enforcement, corporate security, etc.). Ideal candidates should possess the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics.
Visionary and Strategic Leadership
Ability to lead with creativity, in order to develop, execute, and effectively communicate a compelling vision for JSA that sustains and expands its role in supporting and enhancing security measures in the industry. Building on a history of over 140 years of safeguarding the jewelry industry from crimes by providing industry-wide security intelligence, the next President will have the drive to explore new opportunities to advance and promote JSA’s mission effectively.
The President will scan the horizon and plan for future innovations and developments in the field in order to lead JSA into its next chapter, maintaining its position as a trusted resource in the industry and sought-after partner to affiliated companies and trades, and expanding its profile beyond current constituents.
Credibility in the Field and Passion for the Mission
Given the deep and long-standing networks that JSA has developed over decades with a range of law enforcement agencies across the US, locally, as well as with federal agencies such as the FBI, ATF, etc., while candidates do not necessarily need to possess a law-enforcement background, they must demonstrate an ability to work credibly and effectively with the range of professionals and experts in those arenas.
Demonstrated interest in the jewelry industry and sustaining its well-being and success.
Entrepreneurial Mindset and Relationship Builder
Top candidates will have a track record of exploring and initiating partnerships, building relationships that enhance JSA’s ability to deliver on its mission, serve members at high level, and continually expand its highly respected reputation in the field. Comfortable with leveraging technology, social media, and other digital resources and tools to enhance the range, impact, and influence of the organization.
This individual will be instrumental in developing the strategy to increase JSA’s fundraising potential and activities. Bringing a fresh perspective and leveraging the knowledge of the team and Board, the President will carefully and strategically evaluate the success and impact of JSA’s earned and contributed revenue sources and help to identify additional revenue streams. This skilled marketer will effectively communicate JSA’s value proposition for members and identify opportunities for increasing membership as well developing other sources of support to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization.
Effective Ambassador and Communicator
Interested candidates will have the character and confidence to work comfortably in a visible role and serve as an authentic advocate for the industry and JSA. They will possess a polished executive presence and strong public speaking skills to be the “face and voice” of a highly valued, respected, and visible organization.
This leader will be comfortable working with high- level, sophisticated industry professionals, with the ability to move seamlessly between different spaces and audiences. They will possess superlative networking abilities and act as a constituent builder and connector.
Personable and approachable, the President will build genuine trust and robust relationships internally and externally, with JSA staff, Board members, general members, and affiliated industry organizations and companies.
Organizational Excellence and Business Acumen
An engaging, supportive leader with high emotional intelligence (EQ), the President will have a track record of motivating, inspiring, and developing others to achieve success through teamwork. They will acknowledge and utilize the expertise and talents at all levels of the organization. They will have the sensitivity to match the team’s capacity to its resources, ensuring the necessary infrastructure and support to meet the JSA’s long-term needs and aspirations.
Record of success managing finance and operations, with an understanding of best practices for nonprofit organizations and the business savvy required to optimize JSA’s key functions. Work effectively with Board members to ensure fiduciary responsibility, sound financial management practices, and accountability.
In addition, strong candidates will offer:
Seven to ten years of success managing high-functioning teams, with the most recent five years in a senior leadership role.
Education backgrounds will vary for this leadership role; some combination of non-profit, for-profit, and/or government experience that allows them to work equally well with a range of constituents.
A bachelor’s degree is desirable, but not required. Equivalent professional and leadership experience in a comparable setting will be considered.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The target starting salary range for this role is $175,000 - $225,000.
Contact
Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Naree W.S. Viner and Stephen Milbauer of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express interest in this role please submit your materials here, or email Naree and Stephen directly at [email protected] and [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
Koya Partners 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.
JSA is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.