Executive Director, Active Transport Alliance

Executive Director

Organization: Active Transportation Alliance
Job position: Executive Director
Job location: Chicago, Illinois
Reports to: Board of Directors
Application deadline: Open until filled

Summary
The Active Transportation Alliance is the nation’s largest sustainable transportation advocacy organization, serving communities and residents throughout the seven-county Chicago metro region.

The mission of the Active Transportation Alliance is to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. Active Trans advocates for transportation that encourages and promotes safety, physical activity, health, recreation, social interaction, equity, environmental stewardship and resource conservation.

With approximately 5,000 members and 35 staff, Active Trans works in cooperation with members, government agencies, elected officials, community organizations, transportation and health professionals, environmental advocates and many others to create livable communities through better transportation options. Our 20-year goals include a 50% reduction of traffic crashes, and 50% of all trips made by biking, walking and transit. We achieve our goals through a wide variety of programs, multi-modal planning, policy advancement, event production and member mobilization.

Under the general supervision of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is a full-time position responsible for advancing the mission and vision of the Active Transportation Alliance and overseeing the day-to-day operation of the organization.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities
Strategic Planning: Shepherd the ongoing development, interpretation and implementation of Active Transportation Alliance’s Strategic Plan to achieve the long-range organizational goals.

Board Administration: Organize all administrative support for Board meetings and activities. Report key organizational performance and financial indicators to the Board in a clear and transparent manner. Encourage board leadership and involvement in organizational vision, fundraising efforts, programs and member engagement.
Team Leadership: Provide mature leadership, mentorship and management to 35 full- and part-time employees. Design and coordinate an effective team-based approach to management. Cultivate a positive, productive and mission-driven work environment.

Advocacy: Craft an advocacy approach that advances Active Trans’ mission and that reflects the organization’s diverse constituency. Champion policy and systems change at the local, regional, state and national levels.

Financial Management and Fundraising: Prepare a comprehensive budget reflecting organizational goals and priorities. Ensure compliance with non-profit fiscal regulations. Oversee the development and maintenance of a diverse, sustainable funding profile, focused on revenue opportunities such as events, consulting, grants and donor development.

Membership Development: Engage members in an effort to understand needs and prioritize issues. Assist in developing growth strategies for both individual and corporate membership. Mobilize the membership base around key policy and legislative efforts.

Coalition Building: Develop and maintain relationships with key local, state and national elected and government officials, community stakeholders, non-profit allies and others around multi-modal policy, projects and program issues. Represent Active Trans on high-priority coalitions and committees.

Program and Consultant Management: Process ideas for innovative programs and professional planning and consultant services. Ensure consistency between projects in delivering client services, including the development of clear and measurable outcomes and a system for ongoing program evaluation.

Communications: Serve as chief media spokesperson for the Active Transportation Alliance. Effectively communicate Active Trans’ mission and priorities through brand identity and messaging. Provide strategic direction for organizational communications including newsletter, web site, social networking entities and publications.

Commitment to Diversity: Work to increase and sustain diversity within Active Trans Board, staff, membership and volunteers. Foster an inclusive organizational environment. Work to equalize access to and safety of active travel for transportation-disadvantaged individuals and communities, including those of low-income, those with disabilities and the aging population.

Qualifying Experience

A passion for the transformational nature of walking, bicycling and transit on community livability and sustainability. Incorporation of bicycling, walking and/or transit into daily life.
Demonstrated leadership successes in advocacy, policy and coalition building, particularly among diverse populations.
Familiarity with the operations and development of an effective non-profit board of directors.
Superior communication skills, including written, presentational and media-related.
Proven track record of successful fundraising for public interest or advocacy work from a diverse range of sources.
Significant experience managing, supervising and hiring professional staff.
Demonstrated program management experience.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Preferred Experience

Sophisticated understanding of transportation issues.
Previous experience in a senior management position in a non-profit setting.
Experience with government proposals, project scoping, invoicing and contracts.
Master’s degree in related field.
For consideration
Send a resume and cover letter to edsearch@activetrans.org [1]. You must include the words ‘Executive Director’ in the subject line. Electronic submissions only; no mailed or faxed submissions will be accepted. No phone calls, please.

The Active Transportation Alliance does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, disability, sex, age or any other protected classification.

Source URL: http://www.activetrans.org/jobs/executive-director