June 11, 2019
It’s been a great year at Zephyr, and we now have funding secured to hire our first paid position - our Executive Director! We are seeking a motivated, ambitious Executive Director to oversee and advance the Zephyr mission: to advance rigorous transportation and land use decision-making for the public good, by advocating for and supporting improved travel analysis and facilitating its implementation.
This is a hands-on position: we want someone who can jump in and handle operational responsibility for the Zephyr programs and volunteers, following the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. As a new organization, Zephyr needs someone who is excited about our mission, who can manage the varied tasks of running a nonprofit foundation, as well as an executive who can prioritize fundraising: since without funding it will be impossible to realize any of the foundation’s goals.
I hope you are as excited about tackling this challenge as we are about funding and providing this position! We do not expect any one person to have a long pedigree in each of these areas: rather, it’s a position that has many facets which a candidate can grow into.
Here’s a reminder of what Zephyr’s all about, and specifically what the Executive Director position entails.
Zephyr Principles:
- Respectful, honest, technical-based interaction;
- Collegial and collaborative;
- Driven by useful innovation that leverages our unique position;
- Acting in support of the public good, specifically inclusion, equitable outcomes, and shared prosperity;
- User-friendly packaging and licensing;
- Consistently high-quality work products;
- Faithful implementation of standards;
- Respectful of time and resources;
- Diversity of opinions and backgrounds are proactively sought out and welcomed; and,
- Lawfulness as mandatory.
Responsibilities
Operations
- Primary staff liaison to Board of Directors, ensuring operational efficacy in organizational policies and practice.
- Work closely with project management groups, volunteers, members, and related organizations.
- Engage with the Board on strategic planning, regarding organizational structure, financial health, governance, priorities, and vision.
- Serve as liaison with legal counsel and accountant. Manage all contracts.
- Works with board and staff to ensure that all programs are consistent with Zephyr’s strategic vision.
- Oversee communication efforts.
Financial
- Manage monthly and annual budget, ensure that the organization operates within the approved budget and is sustainable.
- Fundraise and develop other resources necessary to support the mission, including fostering relationships with other foundations, drafting and submitting grant applications, and developing contacts with high impact donors.
- Responsible for Zephyr’s fiscal integrity, working hand-in-hand with the Board-appointed Treasurer and board members.
General
- Communicate effectively with the Board; ensuring they have all information necessary to make informed decisions
- Work with the Board to develop a strategic plan for the organization and execute the plan.
- Regularly measure and evaluate Zephyr’s progress towards its goals; redirect efforts and propose changes as warranted by evaluation.
- Nurture a healthy organizational culture that is mission-focused, dynamic, and consistent with the Zephyr principles
- Represent Zephyr nationally with media, partners, decision-makers, and members.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have experience with government decision-making in transportation and land-use, travel analysis methods, and non-profit structures. A background that includes transportation or planning is essential, but we do not expect any incoming member of the team to have expertise in all areas.
A willingness and enthusiasm for collaborating with experts and young professionals is critical to success in this role. Applicants should have a passion for (and, preferably, a background in) centering diversity and inclusion in the organization.
Additional Qualifications:
- High integrity leadership.
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- A willingness to roll up your sleeves and join in on any tasks necessary – that means that some days will find you running high-level meetings with CEOs in the morning and manually updating a mailing list in the afternoon.
- Strong organizational skills including program development.
- Management experience. Experience managing remote teams preferred.
- Budget management experience.
- Experience in fundraising – grant writing a plus.
- Ability to both lead and work as a member of the team.
- Facilitation skills and experience.
- Ability to oversee and collaborate with a diverse group of volunteers, staff, and partners.
- Technological savvy and grit.
Position details
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Salary Range: |
Dependent on experience |
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Time: |
30-40 hours per week |
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Travel Requirements: |
10% |
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Location: |
Flexible, within U.S. |
How to Apply
If you have any questions about the Executive Director search before applying, please send them to [email protected].
Submit your application materials to [email protected]. Applications must include:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae / resume including employment history, educational background, etc
- Brief written answers to the following questions. We don’t need long essays at this stage;
a paragraph or so will suffice:
- Given the Foundation’s established mission, goals, and principles, what would be on your near-term todo list for Zephyr to achieve its mission and have a real and lasting positive impact on travel forecasting?
- Tell us about your experience in raising money and managing back-office functions. What would you take on and what would you seek outside assistance with?
- What would you, as an Executive Director, need from the Board and volunteers?
- The Zephyr constituency is diverse and wide-ranging in many dimensions. What are ways that Zephyr can embrace diversity of ideas while also making decisions and moving forward?
- What should Zephyr do to bring and keep diverse and qualified people into the travel analysis workforce?
Timeline
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Thank you for your interest!
Billy Charlton, Chair, and the Executive Search Committee:
- Joan Walker
- Mario Scott
- Greg Erhardt
- Lisa Zorn