Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Role Overview

ConnecToledo, a community-backed 501(c)(3), is hiring a Chief Executive Officer to guide the organization’s next phase of growth and regional impact. The role is centered on advancing downtown redevelopment by aligning public and private investment with the Downtown Toledo Master Plan and broader community priorities.

Working in partnership with the Downtown Toledo Improvement District through a service contract, the organization supports marketing and communications, business advocacy, residential attraction, business recruitment and pre-development work, as well as an ambassador program focused on hospitality, cleanliness, and safety.

This leadership role is based in Northwest Ohio and must be performed on site; it is not suitable for remote work.

Key Responsibilities

The CEO will serve as a strategic leader who builds momentum across civic, business, and institutional partners while shaping long-term direction for the organization and the region.

• Coordinate with regional development groups in Northwest Ohio, as well as national and international organizations, on collaborative initiatives.
• Set priorities for downtown projects while maintaining a broader connection to Northwest Ohio.
• Strengthen working relationships between public-sector and private-sector stakeholders.
• Define performance measures for priority projects and create dashboards to monitor progress.
• Align the regional strategic plan with ConnecToledo’s vision and coordinate efforts with Anchor Institution plans and activities.
• Build an innovation-friendly ecosystem that supports research, development, technology commercialization, entrepreneurship, and investment in emerging industries.
• Engage board members, community members, developers, and investors in shared strategic efforts.
• Create an environment that helps startups launch and grow.
• Make sure underrepresented voices are included in community decision-making.
• Establish clear internal and external communication systems.
• Delegate operational detail and day-to-day responsibilities effectively.
• Shape the organization’s vision and lead development of a 3–5-year strategic plan.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is mandatory.
• At least 15 years of professional experience is required.
• Demonstrated history of success in a senior leadership or comparable role.
• Strong strategic judgment with the ability to evaluate complex situations and turn opportunities into practical solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present clearly, collaborate across functions, and work with external partners and stakeholders.
• Action-oriented decision-maker who can move plans forward efficiently.
• Skilled at delegation and team empowerment.
• Solid background in civic engagement.
• Comfortable working collaboratively across departments.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams.
• Ability to work with public, private, nonprofit, and media stakeholders.
• Understanding of the local environment, with the ability to balance outside perspective and local insight.
• Forward-looking mindset with the confidence to challenge existing approaches and introduce new ideas.

Compensation and Benefits

Total annual compensation is estimated between $225,000 and $250,000, depending on location, education, experience, and directly relevant certifications.

The benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability coverage, a retirement plan, paid time off, and paid holidays.

Application Process

Interested candidates should email their resume as an attachment to jsawasky@ssoe.com. Candidates will also complete a Predictive Index assessment, which evaluates cognitive abilities, personality traits, and behavioral tendencies.

Equal Opportunity

ConnecToledo is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.