Job Title: Executive Director

Job Summary:   

The Executive Director works as part of the Association Management Team at the direction of the Association Management Company Account Managers with association leadership, committee chairs, lobbyist, and membership to advance the Strategic Plan of the Association. Duties include government relations (GR), media relations, membership, operations, events, publications, and committee facilitation.  GR focus on federal regulation working in harmony with lobbyist working federal legislation.  The Director reports on Regulatory and Legislative activity, recommends action to the association, and executes the actions approved by the association: 

Essential/Main Job Functions:

Association Management/Communication Duties

• Guides and facilitates association committees and board through brief/timely/effective, agendas and minutes to achieve the goals of the Association’s Strategic Plan.
• Guides and facilitates association meetings and events as an effective leader of discussion but while welcoming and integrating the views of association members and meeting participants.   
• Works effectively and collaboratively with employees and others who are concurrently providing services to the association. 
• Acts as editor/publisher of association newsletter and other member communications to provide brief/succinct information of value to members in a format and style that matches the membership audience.  
• Works effectively with other employees/members/vendors/others to keep effective association records and to assure that the association’s library of resource materials is current and of value to association members, including the development of webinars, seminars, toolkits, etc in collaboration with others.   
• Manages programs to enhance Association’s relationships with its members and drives member retention and recruiting. 

Public Relations; Industry Spokesperson and Liaison including Legislation and Regulation Duties

• Monitors, interprets, communicates and drives regulatory and legislative association matters at state and federal levels in conjunction with association’s lobbyists and the directors of state associations.
• Advises and assists members and member committees on federal regulatory and/or state legislative matters.
• Coordinates activities and manages relationship with Government Affairs Consultant.
• Maintains and advances a positive public relations strategy with the membership, community and government and funding sources and media. Including press releases, newsletter, website, and social media approach.
• Manages, organizes and coordinates efforts of Government Affairs Consultant and PAC funds.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with regulators, legislators and other organizations.
• Develops outreach to general public to enhance the school bus profession.
• Develops a plan to increase privatization in targeted states.
• Represent and/or coordinates representation for Association at Congressional hearings, department or Commission hearings, and any other agency or committee meetings to present the Association’s position.
• Manages, with Board input and in conjunction with Executive Director, all media inquiries and  press releases
• Keeps Officers and Board of Directors fully informed on all issues and matters in a timely fashion.
• Represents Association at various state and federal conferences, meetings, etc. Publicizes and promotes the activities, programs, and goals of the association.
• Manages programs to enhance Association’s relationships with state associations.

Relationships with State Associations

• Responsible for regular contacts with all State Associations to market the benefits of Association membership.
• Conducts surveys of State Associations to identify needs of and satisfaction with Association.
• Develops programs and materials to assist State Associations and their membership.
• Acts as a resource to State Associations.

Other Duties

• Support and advance the Association’s Strategic Plan.
• Support and advance the Association Management Company’s Scope of Work Plan.
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor from time to time. 

Education and Experience:  

• The Association Director should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, or a reasonably similar discipline, law degree or advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience in a position dealing, directly or indirectly, with Regulations and Legislation affecting a trade association, company, or special interest group, transportation experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills required, effective public speaking skills required, record of published work preferred.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts succinctly and briefly is essential.
• An effective command of work place technology is required, relevant and effective experience with social media communications is preferred.  

Qualifications and Competencies

• To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following
• Transportation Industry Core - As a spokesperson for the professional school bus industry, must have and maintain an acceptable driving record and ability to pass background checks related to school transportation.
• Problem Solving, Independent Judgment, Reasoning and Analytical Ability – Problems may be complex requiring thinking out several steps into the future, in depth analysis and innovative thinking or creativity. Analyzes problems and makes sound decisions using logic with limited precedent to draw upon. Weighs the costs, benefits, risks and chances for success when making a decision. Performs broad analysis and applies a whole systems perspective. Uses data displayed in a number of ways to make predictions and draw inferences. Organizational policies and mission guide independent judgment. Makes the tough decisions.
• Public Relations- Experience and knowledge in economic development, working with government entities and community organizations.  
• Marketing and Sales - Ability to recruit new members to the organization. Competency in networking, fund‐raising and obtaining financial sponsorships from vendors, associate members and organizations.
• Design & Event Planning - Demonstrates attention to detail.  Event planning and project management, with emphasis on staying within budget and meeting time deadlines.
• Interpersonal Awareness, Teamwork, Influencing Others, and Customer Service – Must build relationships and relate well to all kinds of people – up, down, sideways and inside/outside the organization. Uses diplomacy, tact and empathy. Forms relationships strategically to achieve long term organizational goals. Blends people into teams and promotes cooperation within the team and across teams. Builds team effectiveness and success, and fosters a culture for conflict resolution. Proposes solutions that benefit everyone and gains commitment from all. Is dedicated to meeting the expectations of customers and solving their problems. Strategically directs customer service delivery.  This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Language Skills - Exhibits excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must communicate complex information. Communicates strategically. Writes far reaching documents. Understands and evaluates complex written materials.  Ability to conduct effective presentations to individuals and large groups. Ability to facilitate productive meetings in person, online, and by phone. Listens well and gets clarification; Responds well to questions.  
• Professionalism, Integrity, Dependability, Initiative and Time Management – Approaches challenging tasks with a “can-do” attitude. Is widely trusted. Presents the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner. Has a willingness to take an independent position in the face of opposition and is a settling influence in a crisis. Rewards the right values and disapproves of others. Maintains confidences. Is cool under pressure. Is accountable for organizational outcomes. Eliminates inefficiencies. Creates organization wide process improvements. 
• Leading Others, Developing Others, Managing Performance - Develops and communicates goals to support the organization’s mission, and ensures everyone is working toward those goals. Supports employees in their efforts to achieve goals. Provides feedback and reviews performance. Recognizes and rewards people’s achievements. Addresses morale problems promptly. Creates organization wide succession planning. Is responsible for the consequences of the actions of all employees.
• Planning, Project Management, Attention to Detail - Plans, develops and administers the budget and ensures compliance with policies, laws, regulations and rules. Has formal accountability for managing organization projects. Directs strategic long term planning. Works cooperatively with others to produce innovative solutions.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to set short and long term goals with an appropriate work plan to accomplish those goals.  
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Event planning and project management, with emphasis on staying within budget and meeting time deadlines.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job either with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds from ground level to waist level and be able to bend, stoop, and kneel occasionally throughout work day.  Must be able to reach, lift, and stretch throughout the work day.  
• Must be able to independently stand and/or walk/travel for a portion of the work day.   
• Is seated for majority of the work day most often.
• Must be able to navigate multiple flights of stairs consecutively.
• Required to perform simple grasping and fine manipulation tasks with both hands, to use the computer, use telephone and standard office equipment to complete required tasks.
• Requires acceptable corrected vision (in both eyes) and close visual acuity.
• Requires acceptable corrected hearing in normal noise conditions as well as in large crowded conditions.
• Clear and comprehensive speech required to communicate adequately in performance of this job.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed either in an office environment at headquarters with routine contact with a small staff, in meetings with Association members at various locations, or in meetings with legislators, legislative aides, and/or government officials.
• Work requires excellent facility with communication tools and technology along with superior verbal and written communication and presentation skills.

Travel Requirements:

• Required to travel approximately 25% to 50% of time, more or less as needed to meet all goals. 
• Travel will include participation at government, trade association, and related meetings and events at locations across the country. 
• Must have reliable transportation and adequate insurance to drive to various locations when needed.
• Must be able to travel independently. 
• Ability to schedule internal and external meetings that may require working evenings and weekends as the project demands. In addition, local day trip travel to post office, store, bank, etc as needed. 
• Depending upon residence/office location, overnight travel 6-10 times a year, with multi-day events several times a year for conferences, meetings and workshops and with air travel as needed.  

To apply email [email protected].