Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is the nation's largest organization dedicated to advancing the research, development and deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to improve the nation's surface transportation network. ITS America was formed to provide a unified voice with respect to the development and deployment of new technology from the perspective of all potentially affected parties, including industry, government, academia and other association partners. ITS America represents the experience, perspective, and interest of both the public and private sectors.
ITS America's members include federal, state, local government agencies; national and international companies involved in the development of intelligent transportation systems; universities and independent research organizations; certain national associations, and others. The Society has 27 state and multi-state chapters representing more than 40 states.
The Society's $5+ million dollar budget is supported primarily through dues, fees derived from meetings, including a triennial World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, technical contracts with the U.S. Department of Transportation and others.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP ITS America Board of Directors
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES The President and CEO provides leadership for ITS America. S/he directly oversees the management of a $5+ million budget and 30 staff in Washington, D.C. S/he serves as an ex officio member of the ITS America Board of Directors and on the ITS World Congress Board of Directors. S/he is responsible for translating the mission of the organization into specific goals and expectations relative to market development, research, education, and government affairs activities. S/he also serves as the lead spokesperson for ITS America before current and prospective members, government leaders, key business partners and stakeholders, media, other associations, and the general public.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES The President and CEO exercise's responsibility for the overall strategic direction, coordination, and execution of society programs. S/he may delegate portions of these responsibilities consistent with sound management principles and authorized policies and procedures, together with proportionate authority for their fulfillment; but may not delegate or relinquish accountability for the results. The specific responsibilities of the president are:
- Serves as the liaison between the Board and ITS America staff.
- Participate in policy formulation actions undertaken by the Board of Directors; Identifies strategic gaps and provides input; interprets major policies and objectives for officers and key executives; recommends courses of action; and establishes operating policies and standards within the general framework established by the Board.
- Ensure that the ITS America Board of Directors and the Executive Committee are kept timely informed about the operations of ITS America.
- Directs the enforcement of the Association Bylaws and the execution of all resolutions of the membership, the Board, and the Executive Committee.
- Directs the development of the strategic plan, budgets, programs, and campaigns required to achieve the objectives of the Society.
- Presents recommended annual operating work programs for approval by the Board of Directors.
- Administers the financial affairs of the Society within applicable Board policies, budgets, and accounting controls to ensure the overall fiscal health of ITS America.
- Builds effective relationships with individuals and organizations with shared interests. Identifies and engages partners, building alliances that advance ITS America's mission and efforts to promote, conduct research, and provide educational opportunities.
- Serves as a spokesperson for ITS America and the industry before a wide variety of government leaders, the media and related organizations.
- Develop, recruit and retain a high quality staff.
- Work to optimize the effectiveness of the relationship with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Energy and other appropriate agencies.
- Provide a forum and environment for the public and private sectors to meet to examine, discuss and resolve complex ITS issues.
- Work closely with the ITS America Leadership Circle as well as any other forums organized at the Society to benefit the organization and its members.
- Provide leadership for ITS America's participation in international programs and activities.
- Provide and active membership development and retention program.
EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS The president maintains constant contact with the volunteer leadership of ITS America and:
- Maintain contact with appropriate regulatory and legislative bodies, associations, public service representatives and organizations to achieve ITS America's objectives and to enhance the image of the Society.
- Where appropriate and feasible, seek to jointly develop policies, advice, recommendations and programs on ITS matters in cooperation with interested and affected organizations such as the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the America Public Transportation Association (APTA), the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), SAE International, the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the Association of Global Automakers, and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
- Represent ITS America in activities with its international partners, including ERTICO-ITS Europe and ITS Japan, and other national ITS organizations, to support a successful ITS World Congress and promote international cooperation on standards, research and deployment.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS The next ITS America President and CEO will be a strategic and innovative leader with a minimum of 10 years' senior executive-level leadership and management experience with an organization of similar size, scale and complexity either in related sectors, a relevant association or government. The ideal candidate possesses the following experience and attributes:
- World class leader with a demonstrated track record as a leader in an organization known for innovation; Growth and customer/member service.
- Senior management experience including strategic planning, financial management, staff leadership, Board relations, market promotion and advocacy.
- Capable of anticipating and proactively addressing significant industry challenges and opportunities.
- Proven track record as a principal spokesperson and advocate before all forms of media and at the highest levels of government and business.
- Must have the intellectual courage to define and defend new ideas in an evolving organization environment and learn about member's technologies and passionately advocate the Society's mission internally and externally.
- A successful track record of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with an active volunteer Board, external partners and stakeholders.
- A highly recognizable, marquee executive who will bring high credibility to the organization.
- A history of successful engagement, partnering and alliance building.
- Experience attracting, developing, motivating and retaining a high performing, team- oriented staff.
- Ability to manage staff remotely.
- Experience leading the development and execution of strategies for identifying new value-added services and products and generating sustainable revenue streams.
- Experience leading a federation of independent chapters is a plus. Effective at leading through persuasion.
- Excellent interpersonal and team skills for building and fostering key internal and external relationships.
- Outstanding communication skills, including speaking and presentation skills; an active listener.
- Familiarity with sectors and issues related to the transportation and technology industry is a strong plus.
- Has strong presence and judgment. Equally effective at all levels within and outside the organization. Has unquestionable ethics and integrity.
- Committed to the association, its mission and members, and all the issues that affects their success.
- Servant leader; diplomatic; politically savvy.
- Willingness to undertake a robust domestic and international travel schedule.
LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS
Keeps on Point: Can quickly separate the mission-critical from the nice to dos and the trivial; quickly senses what's the next most useful thing to work on; focuses on the critical few tasks that really add value and puts aside or delays the rest.
Gets Work Done Through Others: Manages people well; gets the most and best out of the people he/she has; sets and communicates guiding goals; measures accomplishments, holds people accountable, and gives useful feedback; delegates and develops; keeps people informed; provides coaching for today and for the future.
Organizationally Savvy: Maneuvers well to get things done; maze bright; knows where to go to get what he/she needs; politically aware and agile; knows the right thing to do; presents views and arguments well.
Communicates Effectively: Writes and presents effectively; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; strongly gets a message across.
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