POSITION SUMMARY
The President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Motorcycle Industry Council, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (collectively, the Associations), provides overall leadership of the Associations and the staff in order to execute the strategic direction provided by the Boards of Directors.
The CEO is responsible for partnering with the Boards of Directors to define the mission/vision of the Associations. The CEO will develop execution strategies and tactics to achieve Associational goals and provide overall effective management and operations of the Associations. The Associations’ main headquarters office is located in Irvine, CA. The CEO will be expected to be in the office as needed to maintain proper staff leadership and to attend board meetings, staff meetings, and other events as required. In addition, the CEO will be expected to travel as needed to execute the Associations’ strategic objectives.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership: Provides leadership, vision, and guidance to assist the Associations’ Boards of Directors in the strategy development to advance and grow the Associations and their relevance to the Powersports industry. Exhibits strong leadership on critical issues that matter to members of the Associations. Stays on top of trends, challenges, and opportunities, and develops resources, programs, and events to inform and assist the industry in dealing with today’s most pressing issues.
Operational and Financial Management: Oversees appropriate office space, equipment, and technology to carry out the Associations’ business effectively and efficiently. Ensures the financial performance and legal compliance of the Associations, including adequate controls and maintenance of sufficient liquidity and returns on investments to ensure the short and long-term viability of the Associations. Manages budget development and execution. Leverages technology to enhance the Associations’ effectiveness and efficiency in all aspects of association management include membership, marketing, meetings, advocacy, research, and operations.
Governmental Agencies Partnership: Protects the Associations’ status as the trusted voice in the Powersports industry bridging government and private sectors and delivering efficient and effective results, including interfacing with federal, state and local governments. Leads the Associations’ efforts to promote the interests of the entire Powersports industry to all government officials.
Governance: Develops a strong and effective working relationship and communication process with the Board of Directors. Utilizes the delegated authority to effectively manage the Associations and execute policies, plans and priorities established by the Board. Collaborates with the Board on the Associations’ priorities, preparation for leadership meetings, leadership interaction and issues related to the purpose, strategic objectives, policy and operation of the Associations. Follows nonprofit governance best practices, including but not limited to elections, conflicts of interest, regular reporting, board committees, and bylaw compliance.
Market Expansion: Demonstrates aggressive efforts to grow the Powersports market, including maximizing existing market expansion initiatives, promoting and advocating ridership to new and potential members/consumers, and developing strategies to reach untapped markets.
Communications: Serves as the primary spokesperson, ambassador, and champion for the Associations. Ensures efficient and effective Associations internal and external communications are executed on a regular basis. Raises the Associations’ visibility with the government and private sectors and promulgates a positive image. Demonstrates a passion for the Powersports industry, the Associations’ missions, programs, and services.
Member Services: Serves member needs and advances the Powersports industry. Establishes a compelling “value proposition” when developing, delivering and reviewing the Associations’ services and products that will attract, engage and retain members. Directs the delivery of member programs, services and products which provide educational, technical, association management, and issue and business management support to member companies across the four Associations. Oversees the development and implementation of systems to analyze and track member feedback and evaluation and provide that data to staff to utilize in the future development or improvement of services, programs and products.
AIMExpo: Together with the staff, oversees and ensures the success of AIMExpo, the premier Powersports Industry experiential event and trade show, which offers members networking, training, education, and sharing of best practices. Together with the Board, determines the future direction of the show and other potential events and event partnerships that further the Associations’ objectives.
Relationship Building with Members, Clients, and Partners: Strengthens existing relationships; identifies and builds new partnerships with relevant leaders and Associations to maintain and grow revenue and be open to those which offer new collaboration and business opportunities.
Staff Leadership: Hires, manages, coaches and develops a high-performing team. Demonstrates and promotes a climate of continuous transformation and accountability that keeps the Associations agile and responsive. Champions and hold staff leaders accountable to maintain a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment. Maintains or develops an efficient Associational structure and ensures the implementation of sound, balanced HR policies and practices.
QUALIFICATIONS
Overall, the ideal candidate should be a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the powersports industry, strong communication and leadership skills, and the ability to navigate complex challenges while driving growth and success for the Associations.
Specific Competencies Include:
- Seven to ten years of executive or senior-level leadership experience.
- Industry knowledge and experience: Deep familiarity with the powersports industry and a passion for powersports; understanding of the challenges and needs of riders/drivers; experience working with dealers/retailers, manufacturers, and OEMs.
- Financial Acumen: Knowledge of financial management practices, including budgeting and resource allocation; ability to leverage financial information to make sound business decisions
- Government relations/advocacy experience, preferably at the federal, state and local levels; political sensitivity and knowledge about association work and regulatory environments.
- Strategic thinking and planning: Strategic vision and adaptability to changes in the Powersports industry and regulatory landscape; ability to balance risk and opportunity for sustained growth; proven experience in strategic planning and successfully operationalizing and executing a plan.
- Collaborative approach: Consensus-building skills and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders across the Powersports industry; skill in leveraging and balancing the perspectives, goals and talents of both volunteer and staff leadership.
- Outreach and networking skills, including the ability to serve as an ambassador for the Associations and clearly articulate the member value proposition of the Associations to current and potential members.
YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
The specifics regarding measures of success, including metrics, will ultimately be agreed upon by the new CEO and the Board, but at the end of the executive’s first year, the Boards would expect the following:
- A smooth transition of leadership has occurred, the CEO has established strong relationships internally with the Boards, members, and staff, and externally with stakeholders and communicates regularly and effectively.
- The Associations are on track to achieve the objectives, goals and key performance indicators articulated in the strategic plan, within the established budgets.
- New initiatives have been proposed to the Boards, and those approved are in planning phase or are being implemented.
- Demonstrated progress has been made on enhancing awareness of Powersports and driving growth in the Powersports market.
For more information about the Associations:
Motorcycle Industry Council (mic.org)
MSF – Motorcycle Safety Foundation (msf-usa.org)
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America® (svia.org)
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (rohva.org)
CONTACT INFORMATION
The Associations have retained Christina Greathouse, Ph.D. with the Strategic Performance Group, an organizational development consulting firm, to aid us in conducting the CEO search. Christina will be the contact for qualified individuals interested in applying for the CEO position. Please forward your cover letter and resume in the strictest confidence to her at cgreathouse@strategicperformance.net.
