Position Description

Chief Executive Officer
Missouri Pharmacy Association

The Missouri Pharmacy Association seeks candidates for the position of Chief Executive Officer for immediate hire.   

The Organization

The Missouri Pharmacy Association is the state organization representing the profession of pharmacy in Missouri, united for the purpose of promoting safe and effective medication use to improve the health of patients. Established in 1879, the Missouri Pharmacy Association preserves and advances the interests of the profession and serves the professional needs of all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.

• Mission: The Missouri Pharmacy Association promotes and protects the role of pharmacists as the medication expert in patient care relationships, and as an integral part of the health care team.
• Vision: Pharmacists at the forefront of care and community.

Position Overview

The Missouri Pharmacy Association (MPA) seeks a mission-driven and experienced association executive to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The MPA Chief Executive Officer serves as the chief staff executive of the organization and is responsible for the overall management and success of the association. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is accountable for membership growth and retention, financial sustainability, delivery of high-value education and member services, and advancing MPA’s legislative, regulatory, and professional priorities at the state and federal levels.

The CEO works collaboratively with members, staff, elected officials, healthcare stakeholders, and pharmacy organizations to advance the profession and promote innovative pharmacy practice throughout Missouri and beyond. This individual fosters consensus among diverse stakeholders, builds strategic partnerships, and effectively advocates for policies that align with member priorities.

The CEO maintains strong relationships with colleges of pharmacy, pharmacy technician training programs, healthcare organizations, and industry partners to support workforce development and the future of the profession. The individual is also responsible for developing and mentoring staff, cultivating future pharmacy leaders, supporting grant initiatives, and maintaining a positive and productive organizational culture.

The CEO serves as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee. The CEO also serves as Secretary of the Pharmacy Agent Corporation (PAC), a 501(c)(4) organization that administers distribution of the Missouri Pharmacy Provider (FRA) Tax.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Management and Leadership

• Visible presence at the MPA office for a majority of each work week, working collaboratively with MPA staff to provide high level services requested by members and bringing value to all MPA members
• Assure effective development and achievement of the organization’s strategic plan
• Assist in budget preparation and monitoring to ensure financial success of the association, including maintaining and developing new revenue streams and fostering innovation
• Supervisory responsibility for MPA staff to include hiring, retention, performance appraisals, and other human resource functions
• Work closely with Missouri State Medical Association staff members to develop goals and related implementation plans, to monitor the progress of key initiatives, provide feedback, and actively participate in strategy sessions to ensure successful outcomes
• Ensure partners and contracted services (CPA, lobbyists, investment advisors, etc.) have strong relationship with Missouri Medical Association and efficiently perform the duties outsourced
• Work closely with the MPA leadership to develop board meeting agendas and provide supporting materials and background information
• Collaborate with and lead the Pharmacy Agent Corporation (PAC), MPA Foundation, PPAC of Missouri, MO PCN and CPESN-MO Boards of Directors to maximize its success
• Mentor elected leaders, including presidents and all board members in their roles and responsibilities

Public Relations and Communication

• Be the face of Missouri pharmacy to MPA members, other state and national pharmacy organizations, key business leaders, key political and governmental leaders, and media and news outlets
• Promote and advance all aspects of the pharmacy profession, throughout Missouri and nationally
• Be an active seeker and learner of pharmacy and health care related issues as they surface, and assess the degree of attention that should be dedicated toward future actions
• Develop and nurture strong external relationships with leaders of other state and national pharmacy organizations
• Develop and nurture strong external relationships with key leaders within peer state health care related associates (DHSS, DSS, MBOP, MSHP, etc.) and state and local business/trade organizations
• Interact regularly with the colleges of pharmacy and pharmacy technician training programs to assist with the alignment of education and skills needed by employers and necessary enrollments

Membership

• Enable member and volunteer leader engagement in advancing the priorities of the organization
• Foster inclusion among leaders and practitioners from all pharmacy sectors
• Help to identify and develop members for future MPA leadership positions

Advocacy, Legislative and Governmental Affairs

• Maintain a visible and engaged presence in the legislative and regulatory process, actively representing MPA and advocating for the interests of Missouri pharmacists at the State Capitol.
• Be politically connected with elected officials, peer pharmacy and health care related organizations and effective in opposing or promoting legislative and regulatory policies and priorities
• Assure pharmacy issues are accurately reported to the public and peer organizations
• Clearly articulate the role of pharmacists in healthcare, payment models impacting pharmacy, pharmacists and healthcare, and lead MPA’s grassroots advocacy communication
• Provide written and verbal testimony regarding MPA’s legislative and regulatory priorities
• Advocate for the recognition of pharmacists as essential members of the healthcare team, ensure provider status where appropriate, and advance fair and sustainable reimbursement for pharmacy services. Constantly work to have pharmacy professionals included as essential members of the health care team, providers of health care services, and to ensure fair payment for provided pharmacy services

Key Skills and Knowledge

• Understanding of contemporary pharmacy issues across a variety of settings
• Ability to articulate a clear vision for the future of pharmacy and MPA
• Ability to maintain and cultivate MPA’s culture and values
• Ability to articulate and execute a compelling vision for the future of both the pharmacy profession and MPA
• Budget preparation, monitoring, and management to a positive year-end balance
• Demonstrated experience in financial stewardship, including budget development, monitoring, and management to ensure long-term organizational sustainability
• Understanding of the legal and accounting requirements of non-profit 501(c) businesses
• Working knowledge of nonprofit governance, including the legal, financial, and regulatory requirements of 501(c)(6) organizations
• Understanding of how to ethically conduct legislative advocacy and rule making
• Ability to develop clear goals and implement related plan(s) to arrive at a successful outcome(s)
• Leading and developing MPA staff members to broaden their skills, such that they work at their highest skill level and feel valued
• Ability to effectively manage a team and engage those with differing perspectives to find win-win solutions that are in the best interest of the profession
• Ability to effectively educate non-pharmacy professionals on pharmacy related processes and issues
• A visionary and broad thinker who can foresee the impact to the pharmacy profession of issues/trends that are just now surfacing and work to position the organization/profession to effectively address, adapt, or adopt
• Excellent verbal, listening, and written communication skills

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, or equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of association management or other leadership/management experience.
• Understanding of the profession of pharmacy and/or the health care industry, or a demonstrated ability and willingness to quickly learn and engage with the issues impacting the profession.
• High-energy, action-oriented leader with a proven ability to take ownership, solve problems, and actively engage in the operational work of an organization.
• Effective written and oral communication skills with a variety of audiences (members, staff, community, legislators, media representatives, regulators, etc.).
• Financial management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision making, and reporting.
• Proven aptitude for business development, growing membership, and identifying non-dues revenue opportunities.
• Ability to oversee and collaborate with staff, including fostering an environment of accountability, healthy work relationships and partnerships, inclusivity and maintaining a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate the organization’s mission to donors, volunteers, and the overall community.
• Ability to travel around the state and nationally.
• Competency in technology, social media, and common management software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, QuickBooks®, cloud-based storage and record management, virtual meeting platforms, association website platforms, and others as needed etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification
• Advanced degree in pharmacy (PharmD), health care policy (MPH), or other advanced degree (MBA, JD, etc.)
• Experience and skill in working with a Board of Directors in a professional membership organization
• Industry “thought leader” who is in tune with the trends and developments in the profession and the healthcare sector
• High-level strategic thinking and planning, and the ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, and donors
• A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results

Compensation and Benefits

A competitive compensation and benefits package will be negotiated with the selected candidate. Prospective starting salary is $168,000, commensurate with experience.

Application Process

For confidential consideration, interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume or CV, and names and contact information of three professional references* to MPA’s Search Firm, NASPA Services Company, LLC via email at info@naspa.us no later than August 14, 2026.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

*References will not be contacted without prior consent.

The Missouri Pharmacy Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity and equity in all facets of the organization’s work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected class.