Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Position: Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
Organization: Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
Location:  Washington, DC
Reporting Relationship: Executive Committee, Board of Direction
Website: https://www.ite.org/

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is an international membership association of transportation professionals who work to improve mobility and safety for all transportation system users and help build smart and livable communities. Through its products and services, ITE promotes professional development and career advancement for its members, supports and encourages education, identifies necessary research, develops technical resources including standards and recommended practices, develops public awareness programs, and serves as a conduit for the exchange of professional information.

Founded in 1930, ITE is a community of transportation professionals including transportation engineers, transportation planners, consultants, educators, technologists, and researchers. Through meetings, seminars, publications, and a network of more than 17,000 members working in more than 78 countries.

ITE’s membership is balanced with approximately 45% of its members from the public sector, 45% of its members from the private sector and 10% from the education sector. On the grassroots level, ITE has 11 Districts, 73 sections, 5 chapters and 145 student chapters. It has five technical councils, three employer councils and 12 standing committees.

• Mission: To provide the global community of transportation professionals with the knowledge, practices, skills and connections to serve the needs of their communities and help shape the future of the profession and transportation in the societal context.
• Core Values: ITE is Recognized, Relevant, Value Added and Connected.
  Strategic Opportunity Areas: Membership, Technical Knowledge, and Institutional Sustainability.
• Vision: To be the transportation organization of choice.
  Strategic Plan: ITE’s 2021-2023 strategic plan has identified key goals and action areas to advance the institute towards their vision. The plan was developed in 2020 and is being reviewed and will be re-developed by the end of 2023.
• Membership: ITE’s membership is balanced with approximately 45% of its members from the public sector, 45% of its members from the private sector and 10% from the education sector. On the grassroots level, ITE has 11 Districts, 71 sections, 10 chapters and 182 student chapters. It has five technical councils, three employer councils and 12 standing committees.
• Conferences and Exhibitions: ITE sponsors many events, conferences, exhibitions, forums and professional development workshops each year. The technical programs are presented and created by ITE members and industry professionals.
• Resources: ITE Library Search, ITE Traffic Wiki, Recent Releases, Bookstore Search, Board Committees, Councils and Committees, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
• Governing Body: The ITE International Board of Direction is configured of 16 members establishing the policies for the operation of ITE. It includes 3 executive committee (vice president, president, past president), 12 regional directors, and 1 Council Leadership Team Chair (ex officio-non-voting). These volunteers are elected to their respective roles and serve for 36-month terms.
  • Board-level Committees include the Nominating Committee; Budget and Finance Committee; Strategic Planning Committee, Constitutional Amendments Committee, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
  • Board advisory/program committees and task forces include the LeadershipITE Committee; Legacy/Diversity Scholars Committee; ONE ITE Task Force; Professional Development Committee; STEM Program Committee; Traffic Bowl Committee; Women in ITE Committee; Student to Young Member Committee; Transportation Planners Advisory Group; Young Member Committee; Student Engagement at Meetings Task Force; and Traffic Bowl Reimagining Task Force.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the development and growth of ITE as a global organization in both the short-term and long-run, as directed by the ITE Board of Direction. The CEO supports the Board in building and executing strategy, deepening strategic partnerships and relationships within the energy industry and promotes ITE as the voice of transportation professionals within the transportation industry. Therefore, a core focus for the next CEO will be to continue to grow the reach of the organization through events and membership, as well as to effectively represent ITE’s stakeholders in the industry.

The CEO manages a staff of 25 full-time employees. ITE’s budget is approximately $7 MM, and the Institute currently has ~$7 MM in reserve. There is an expectation of travel to meet the needs of the role and the organisation (Estimated time is approximately 30 days per year of travel, with almost all of it U.S-based).

Specifically, the CEO is responsible for the following:

Strategy Development

• Provides forward-thinking leadership and direction that supports the development and execution of organizational strategy and provides engagement on ITE’s signature products and key contract efforts.
• In conjunction with the Board of Direction, articulates the vision for ITE and recommends and implements strategic plans that will achieve the plan’s goals.
• Ensures the ITE provides a strong value-proposition and remains relevant to current and prospective members globally.
• Positions the organization to thrive in the context of external conditions.
• Identifies new opportunities and/or challenges and recommends action to the Board of Direction as appropriate.
• Supports the staff in the development, implementation, monitoring, and adjustment of strategic, financial, and business plans.

Governance

• Provides management and support to the International President, Executive Committee, Board of Direction, and other officers, committees, and volunteers to develop Board meeting content and agendas, leadership orientation, and governance development activities.
• ITE CEO also serves as the Executive Director and CEO of the Transportation Professional Certification Board (TPCB), providing support to this Board and overseeing all TPCB operations and financial management.
• Collaborates with the Board of Direction on matters of governance, mission, vision, and strategic plan.
• Engages in Board Committees, in all presidential election processes and orientations.
• Proactively assists the Board of Direction in identifying key emerging issues and implementing future direction as established by the Board.
• Develops, implements, and is accountable for the Institute’s annual budget and operating plan.
• Provides on-going management and oversight of the Institute’s finances, keeps regular communications to the ITE Board, informing them of key activities, as well as the overall operational and financial health of ITE.
• Along with the CFO, prepares and executes the Board Financial Reports in quarterly meetings, works on annual budget development and audit, and works with the Budget and Finance Committee on annual investment oversight.

Management

• Leads the Institute’s Executive Management Team and provide leadership, management, and support for the 25 ITE staff.
• Sets the organizational values and business culture for ITE and ensures that all staff and volunteers live the values.
• Directs the operational activities of the Institute ensuring that the organization is capably staffed and effectively organized to meet the set goals.
• Leads and continues to develop the organization’s staff team, inspiring and empowering them in their roles.
• Cultivates cross-division collaboration and fosters a culture of integrity, diversity, social responsibility, teamwork, transparency, and results.
• Ensures the ITE maintains key infrastructure and technological capabilities to serve the members and effectively implement the strategic plan.
• Reports and develops plans to manage business risk issues to the Budget and Finance Committee of the Board of Direction.
• Maintains an understanding of legal issues in the management of non-profit organizations and ensures legal compliance and appropriate risk management.
• Maximizes operational efficiency in all areas, with a focus on meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations with respect to all programs promoted and delivered by ITE.

Influence and Relationship Building

• Promotes visibility of the Institute within the transformation industry globally and with key stakeholders including educational establishments, thought leaders, and other stakeholder organizations.
• In collaboration with the Board of Direction and identified volunteer leaders, provides regular communication and engagement with ITE volunteer leaders at the District, Section and Chapter levels and members at-large.
• Engages with the members to understand their needs, maximize engagement, and enhance member satisfaction.
• Engagement and development of member events, resources, and marketing across the organization.
• Frequent engagement with key clients and association partners to build and maintain existing relationships, and to enhance business development opportunities to create new alliances, partnerships, and collaborations, particularly with relevant organizations globally.
• Cultivates relationships with other key stakeholders and other associations and organizations who share a common set of objectives globally.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Specific experience and qualifications will include the following:

• 10+ years of progressive executive leadership experience for a major association, company, public agency or a division within a large corporation.
• Experience overseeing the development and implementation of an organization’s strategic plan. Strong analytical skills with a capability of analyzing and articulating complex and strategic issues and their potential impacts for decision-making for staff, Board members and key business partners.
• Experience working with the transportation industry is advantageous, as ITE operates in an industry that requires specialized knowledge.
• Skilled leader with a record of developing, mentoring, and managing staff performance and fostering an entrepreneurial customer-focused team. Capacity to delegate, empower, and distribute decision-making effectively and effectively build and manage a diverse global leadership team. Demonstrable experience of effectively leading people and organizations through change and transformation.
• Board relations and governance experience desirable.
• Global business experience and/or outlook, including an ability to work effectively with diverse cultures.
• A future leaning perspective on how the digital world is evolving and implications for ITE. An ability to anticipate, discern, and act on industry signals and trends.
• Knowledge of managing large scale events and technical publications a plus.
• Strong financial and business acumen to ensure the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of the ITE.
• Reputation for integrity and sound judgement, upholding high ethical standards.
• Strong emotional intelligence, with an ability to forge consensus and lead with compassion and empathy.
• A strong entrepreneurial spirit and an ability to translate new opportunities into measurable results.
• Self-aware and authentic with the confidence and maturity to navigate and succeed in a multifaceted global organization which values diverse perspectives.
• Outstanding written, oral, and presentation communication skills. A relationship builder.

EDUCATION
Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in relevant discipline and/or in engineering or equivalent business experience a plus.

COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be provided to attract outstanding candidates.

Institute of Transportation Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome diversity in our workforce and encourage all qualified applicants to apply.

All inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications should be sent to:
ITE_President@KornFerry.com

KORN FERRY CONTACTS

Charlie Ingersoll
Senior Client Partner
(202) 256-2267
Charlie.Ingersoll@kornferry.com

Sophie Carr
Associate
(484) 425-1607
Sophia.Carr@KornFerry.com

Jaime Reed
Project Coordinator
(301) 310-9699
Jaime.Reed@kornferry.com

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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.