Chief Executive

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION – CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Job title: Chief Executive

Reports to: BCCZ Board of Directors

Company Description

The British Chamber of Commerce Zambia (BCCZ) was established in August 2014 and currently has about 60 member organisations and individuals. It is a member-led business association established to promote bilateral trade and investment between the United Kingdom and Zambia. The Chamber serves its members through advocacy, peer networking, policy dialogue, and engagement with key public and private sector stakeholders. The BCCZ is preparing to become an international member of the British Chambers of Commerce headquartered in London, a network of 75 Chambers from across the world who lobby for the interests of the UK business community at home and overseas.

Job Summary

The Chief Executive (CE) is the Chief Executive of the British Chamber of Commerce Zambia, responsible for translating the Board’s strategic direction into operational delivery.

This is a key leadership role. Based in Lusaka and reporting to the BCCZ’s Board of Directors, the CE is responsible for the overall administration and operations of the BCCZ. The CE leads on membership growth and engagement with members, the BCCZ’s advocacy strategy, and will build strong relationships with the British High Commission and other key partners in the wider business and policy ecosystem.

The CE is accountable for ensuring that governance, legal, compliance, and company secretarial matters are appropriately managed, working closely with the Board and appointed advisors where relevant. 

This hands-on role would suit an ambitious, commercially minded leader with a track record of building relationships, driving growth and translating strategy into delivery. The ideal candidate will combine a strategic view of how to strengthen the Chamber’s relevance and sustainability with the operational drive to make it happen, while remaining responsive to individual members’ needs.

Reporting Line

Reports to the Board of Directors, British Chamber of Commerce Zambia

Location

Lusaka, Zambia, with regular engagement across Zambia, including the Copperbelt, and occasional regional or international travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

Organisational Leadership:

·      Translate Board-approved strategy into clear annual plans, priorities, and Key Performance Indicators. These include, but are not limited to:

o  Growth in paid membership and member retention rates

o  Demonstrable policy wins or influence on trade and investment regulation

o  Strong, visible relationship with the British High Commission and Zambia government counterparts

o  Sound financial management and Chamber sustainability.

o  Progress towards, and achievement of, British Chamber of Commerce international network accreditation.

·      Act as the day-to-day professional and public face of the Chamber.

Membership Services and Growth:

·      Build and maintain strong relationships with member representatives. Answer member enquiries and provide regular updates and communications – including a quarterly newsletter.

·      Design and deliver overall calendar of member engagement events, responding to demand from members (with support from the administration assistant).

·      Drive membership acquisition and retention, based on the Board’s strategic directives.

·      Manage all communications for the BCCZ including management of all social media, posting regular updates.

·      Administer membership of the Chamber.

Advocacy and Policy:

·      Lead the Chamber’s advocacy agenda in line with member priorities – identify critical policy, regulatory, and business-environment issues affecting UK-Zambia trade.

·      Engage constructively with government, regulators, and institutions to lobby on behalf of issues facing members.

·      Draft position papers, policy submissions and public statements on issues affecting British business in Zambia.

Financial and Compliance Operations:

·      Manage the Chamber’s finances, budget, and cashflow within Board-approved limits. Maintain financial records. Work with external accountants to prepare quarterly management accounts.

·      Ensure compliance of the BCCZ with any applicable laws, regulations, instructions and guidelines.

·      Support revenue generation through membership, sponsorships, events, and partnerships.

·      Support effective Board governance, including meeting administration, and work with the Chamber’s appointed legal/company secretarial advisers to ensure statutory filings and records are properly maintained.

External Stakeholder Relations:

·      Build and maintain a close working relationship with the British High Commission.

·      Engage UK and Zambia public-sector stakeholders, development partners, and business associations.

·      Represent the Chamber at senior-level meetings, forums, and events.

·      Facilitate business linkages between UK and Zambian companies, linking investors with local partners, agents and distributors.

·      Represent the Chamber at key public and private sector economic and development events.

NOTE

Consideration will be given to hiring an administrative assistant once Chamber finances allow. A similar approach will be taken to identifying suitable office accommodation.

Person Specification

Experience:

·      Management experience in membership organisations, business associations, or relevant private-sector roles.

·      Experience in advocacy, partnerships, or programme development.

·      Existing relationships within the Zambian business, government and diplomatic communities would be useful.

Skills and Competencies:

·      Self-motivated, strong attention to detail and able to work with limited supervision.

·      Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

·      Good understanding of the Zambia economic and regulatory landscape and familiarity with UK-Africa trade dynamics.

·      Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills.

·      Strong business and commercial acumen.

·      Effective leadership skills. 

·      Knowledge of IT and social media, including Microsoft applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.

·      Knowledge of basic accounting and budgeting.

Contract

·      The Chamber is open to both full- and part-time working proposals. Applicants should indicate their preferred working arrangement and explain how they would deliver their full responsibilities and expected outcomes of their role.

·      12-month contract, renewable annually

·      The applicant should either be a citizen of Zambia or be eligible to work in Zambia.

Start date: ASAP to be mutually agreed.

·      The successful candidate will work remotely for the foreseeable future.

·      You will be required to travel to events and in person meetings.

·      Hours can be worked flexibly, though the CE is expected to be available to attend events, meetings and other engagements as required.

Application Instructions

Please send a brief personal statement outlining your suitability for the role based on the job description and person specification (max 500 words) and a CV (max. 2 sides of A4), to Tim Ware, Chair of the BCCZ at tim.ware@zm.knightfrank.com.

Deadline 30 September 2026