President & CEO

President & CEO

Auto Care Association

Location: Bethesda, MD / Greater Washington, DC Region
Work Arrangement: Hybrid; leadership team works in-office
Employment Type: Permanent
Salary: $500,000–$550,000 plus incentive bonus
Relocation: Relocation package available

 

About the Auto Care Association

 

The Auto Care Association is the voice of the $516.6 billion auto care industry, which is projected to exceed $664 billion by 2028. The Association provides advocacy, education, networking, technology, market intelligence, and communications resources to support its members.

 

The industry employs approximately 4.9 million people, supports more than 298 million vehicles on the road, and includes more than 280,000 service outlets across the United States.

 

The Association serves more than 9,000 member companies throughout the automotive aftermarket supply chain. Its work includes government affairs, technology and e-commerce standards, professional development, market intelligence, global programs, communications, and the annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).

 

The Opportunity

 

The President & CEO will provide overall executive leadership for the Auto Care Association and partner with the Board of Directors to shape its future strategic direction.

 

The CEO will lead approximately 50 full-time staff and oversee an organization with approximately $29.9 million in annual revenue. The position is responsible for ensuring a strong member value proposition while maintaining the Association’s fiscal, legal, and ethical integrity.

 

Working with the Board and staff, the CEO will lead strategic planning, deepen partnerships, strengthen the Association’s position as the leading voice of the auto care industry, and ensure its long-term sustainability.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Strategic & Operational Leadership

 

• Provide forward-thinking strategic leadership in collaboration with the Board and staff.

• Lead development and execution of the Association’s strategic vision and goals.

• Ensure measurable progress toward strategic priorities and align organizational resources accordingly.

• Monitor industry trends and anticipate emerging opportunities and challenges.

• Respond strategically to economic, public relations, political, regulatory, and legislative developments.

• Recommend strategic actions to the Board as appropriate.

• Ensure a strong value proposition for current and prospective members.

• Position the organization to remain resilient and successful within a changing political, regulatory, and economic environment.

 

Board Relations & Governance

 

• Build and maintain a trusting and collaborative relationship with the Board of Directors.

• Ensure proactive Board engagement, transparency, and open communication.

• Partner with the Board to establish and implement strategic goals and achieve budget objectives.

• Provide ongoing communication regarding progress toward organizational priorities.

• Support strong Board governance and effectiveness.

• Help the Board identify emerging opportunities, issues, and risks and recommend appropriate responses.

• Build consensus among a diverse Board.

 

Advocacy, Public Policy & Strategic Communications

 

• Develop a proactive advocacy and communications strategy to advance industry policy priorities.

• Oversee the Association’s public policy team.

• Advance legislative and regulatory priorities on a bipartisan basis.

• Adapt advocacy strategies to changing federal and state political environments.

• Build coalitions with organizations that share common interests.

• Leverage media platforms to promote Association priorities.

• Serve as a spokesperson for the Association with external stakeholders and media.

 

Member & Stakeholder Engagement

 

• Serve as the primary relationship-builder with member companies.

• Ensure consistent engagement and value for both small and large members.

• Lead with a hands-on, service-oriented approach that strengthens member trust and retention.

• Engage directly in membership development, retention, and engagement.

• Build consensus across the membership on key industry issues.

• Strengthen and unify the industry's voice before policymakers.

• Create opportunities for connectivity and business engagement among members.

• Ensure the organization maintains a strong member-service culture.

• Assess opportunities for global growth and develop strategies for future expansion.

 

Staff Leadership

 

• Attract, motivate, empower, and develop a mission-driven and results-oriented team.

• Build a collaborative internal culture focused on service, excellence, and innovation.

• Strengthen cross-division collaboration.

• Foster integrity, accountability, teamwork, transparency, mutual respect, and member service.

• Serve as a leader and coach to staff.

• Encourage innovation, technology adoption, and new approaches to advancing strategic goals.

 

Financial & Operational Oversight

 

• Maintain the financial health and long-term sustainability of the Association.

• Oversee annual budgeting and forecasting.

• Develop dues and non-dues revenue strategies.

• Oversee revenue opportunities involving educational programming, standards, and the annual AAPEX business expo.

• Evaluate AAPEX for opportunities to strengthen its value proposition, streamline expenses, and increase attendance.

• Strengthen membership retention and growth.

• Evaluate additional non-dues revenue opportunities that provide value to members.

• Assess the organization’s business model, revenue mix, resource allocation, staffing models, IT infrastructure, and accountability structures.

• Ensure infrastructure and operations effectively support program delivery and organizational agility.

• Prepare an annual budget aligned with the strategic plan for Board approval.

• Recommend priority investments that advance industry goals.

• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

 

Professional Experience & Qualifications

 

The successful candidate will be a visionary, strategic, and articulate executive with the credibility and influence necessary to advance the Association’s mission and industry priorities.

 

Ideal qualifications include:

 

• Executive-level experience developing and implementing organizational strategic plans.

• Experience working collaboratively and transparently with a diverse Board of Directors.

• Demonstrated responsibility for organizational fiscal health and sustainability.

• Experience leading diverse professional teams accountable for achieving strategic goals.

• Strong executive presence and ability to engage a high-profile industry Board.

• Ability to amplify an industry or organization’s voice with government officials, business leaders, peer organizations, and media.

• Strong knowledge of federal and state government, including legislative and regulatory affairs.

• Ability to engage quickly with legislative and regulatory issues and advocate credibly on a bipartisan basis.

• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and spokesperson skills.

• Strong listening skills.

• Visionary leadership and ability to anticipate significant industry opportunities and challenges.

• Openness to innovative ideas from the Board, membership, and staff.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate complex strategic issues and their potential impacts.

• Strong financial and business acumen.

• Experience developing member-driven business development or B2B programming.

• Experience with annual meetings and/or trade shows is a plus.

• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and influencing skills.

• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, members, and media.

• Knowledge of vehicle repair, the automotive aftermarket, or adjacent industries preferred.

• Demonstrated success attracting, developing, motivating, and mentoring high-performing teams.

• Experience building alliances and coalitions with organizations sharing common objectives.

• Strong emotional intelligence and ability to forge consensus and lead with humility, compassion, and empathy.

• Courage and conviction to challenge and defend ideas and advocate before diverse audiences.

• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to translate opportunities into measurable results.

• Future-oriented perspective on digital technology, including new media and artificial intelligence.

• Reputation for integrity, sound judgment, and high ethical standards.

 

Education

 

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Relevant advanced degree, such as a JD or MBA, highly desirable.

 

Location

 

The position is based in Bethesda, Maryland. The Association operates on a hybrid basis, although its leadership team works in the office.

 

Candidates should reside in the Greater Washington, DC region. A relocation package will be offered.

 

Compensation

 

The anticipated salary range is $500,000–$550,000 plus an incentive bonus, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and overall fit.

 

The Auto Care Association is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.