POSITION SUMMARY
The Vistage UK-Ireland Managing Director is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving the growth, development, and success of Vistage’s operations across the UK and Ireland. Based in the London area with regular travel to the Vistage UK headquarters in Hedge End, the Managing Director will work closely with Chairs, Vistage UK colleagues, and the Vistage Global Headquarters in San Diego, California to ensure the delivery of outstanding member outcomes, the successful recruitment and development of Chairs, and the cultivation of a supportive and values-driven work environment.
THE COMPANY
Vistage is the world’s largest CEO coaching and peer advisory organisation for small and medium size enterprise (SME) leaders. We offer the most effective approach for SME enterprises to achieve better results and grow faster as well as for SME leaders to maximise their impact.
The 45,000+ members we serve are MDs/CEOs, owners and executives of SMEB organisations located across the UK and around the world. These SME executives typically spend a day or more with Vistage every month to immerse themselves in our comprehensive platform for making better decisions, getting better results and becoming better leaders. Our platform features three core elements: valuable perspectives from a trusted group of peers, professional guidance and meeting facilitation from an accomplished business leader (the Chair), and deep insights from subject matter experts.
Vistage was founded more than 65 years ago and we’ve grown every year since then by innovating to stay on the cutting-edge of business and being relentless in delivering value to our members. Our success is demonstrated by the fact that Vistage member companies grow 2.2 times faster than non-Vistage peer companies. Learn more about us at vistage.co.uk.
VISTAGE LEADER LIFE
Vistage leaders are responsible for more than driving business outcomes—our leadership fosters a culture of excellence, mentorship, and impact. As a Vistage executive, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping a unique employee experience that fuels our mission and strengthens the UK-Ireland economy by empowering SME leaders to become better leaders, make better decisions and deliver better outcomes.
A Platform for Leadership & Impact: Vistage leaders inspire and lead teams, guiding employees to maximise their potential. As a senior leader, you will mentor future leaders, helping to drive their personal and professional growth. Your role is pivotal in ensuring our culture of collaboration, innovation, and mutual success thrives within the organisation.
Driving Economic Growth: Vistage's mission is to make SMEs more productive, efficient, and competitive. As a Vistage leader, your impact extends beyond our company—you’ll contribute to the productivity of businesses across the UK and Ireland, fueling economic growth. By liaising with our Chairs and members, all of whom are high-caliber Managing Directors, CEOs, and business leaders, you will influence the strategic direction of key industries.
A Culture of Growth & Innovation: Our UK office in Hedge End, Southampton, embodies our values of collaboration and innovation. Leaders cultivate an inclusive and forward-thinking workspace where employees are supported in their career progression. With a focus on internal promotions, professional development, and access to individualised resources, Vistage leaders are empowered to shape the next generation of business talent.
More than half of our employees have been with Vistage for over five years, a testament to the loyalty inspired by our mission-driven culture. Are you ready to shape the future of Vistage and make a lasting impact on the UK/Ireland economy?
RESPONSIBILITIES
Chair Recruitment and Development:
- Elevate and refine the process for recruiting and launching high-quality Chairs.
- Foster a collaborative culture among Chairs to enhance their delivery of the Vistage product.
- Support Chairs in their mission to provide exceptional member outcomes by offering robust learning and development opportunities.
- Inspire Chairs to grow their practices by offering a compelling, flexible, and rewarding value proposition.
Chair and Member Engagement:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Chairs, ensuring they are inspired to grow their practices and deliver outstanding member outcomes.
- Collaborate with the Chair Engagement Officer to focus on key areas of improvement while ensuring effective liaison with Chairs.
- Utilise high-quality thought leadership content and experiences to support Chairs and enhance brand awareness.
Leadership and Culture:
- Lead the Vistage UK-Ireland Headquarters office of 20 employees to cultivate a supportive, caring, and values-driven environment.
- Ensure that the office culture aligns with Vistage’s values while holding all employees accountable for results.
- Collaborate with colleagues in Vistage’s Global Headquarters to oversee key operational processes, including budgeting, people management and reporting.
EXPECTATIONS
First 90 Days Objectives:
- Establish personal credibility with the Chair community to align with Vistage’s strategy.
- Assess and optimise the capabilities of the UK office team to support key business drivers.
- Meet with key stakeholders, including members, Chairs and employees, to identify areas for enhancing Chair recruitment, member value retention and growth.
- Maintain strong financial performance against targets.
Accountable Performance Metrics:
- Growth in CEO membership numbers.
- Successful recruitment and launch of new Chairs and groups.
- High member and Chair retention rates.
- Strong revenue and EBITDA performance.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education and experience commensurate with MD leaders of global organisations.
- Experience working within high-caliber, global service organisations focused on the needs of business executives.
- Proven leadership skills, including excellent communication and the ability to see the “big picture.”
- Comfort in managing multiple stakeholders, including those in MD and other executive roles.
- Ability to drive execution in the UK-Ireland market within a global framework.
- Familiarity with Vistage or similar coaching/peer group experiences as a member, Chair, or employee.