CEO Search Begins

For immediate release: USA CANOE/KAYAK CEO Search

USA CANOE/KAYAK invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of CEO - Chief Executive Officer.

We are seeking a candidate who will passionately embrace the USA CANOE/KAYAK mission and will keenly pursue excellence. We are a small but focused and determined organization, we believe in the Olympic values, and we value competition, "fair play", dedication and collaboration, to the highest level.

About USA CANOE/KAYAK

USA CANOE/KAYAK is a non-profit membership organization (501(c)(3)) based in Charlotte, N.C.

The USA CANOE/KAYAK mission, "To realize the dreams of competitive paddlers", is designed to promote and support competitive paddling in the United States including but not limited to the Olympic sports of Slalom and Sprint canoe/kayak and World-Paddling Sports.

A member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA CANOE/KAYAK is the National Governing Body (NGB) responsible for the management and the development of the Olympic sports of Flatwater Sprint and Whitewater Slalom and World Paddling Sports (Marathon, Freestyle Rodeo, Wildwater, Polo, Canoe Sailing, Outrigger, and Dragon Boat) in the USA. Internationally, USA CANOE/KAYAK represents the USA to the International Canoe Federation (ICF) and the International Olympic movement.

USA CANOE/KAYAK governance is the responsibility of its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is currently comprised of (9) Directors: (4) Independent Directors (nominated) and (5) Directors elected by USA CANOE/KAYAK's Members. The Independent Directors elect the Chair of the Board.

CEO Position Summary

The Chief Executive Officer of USA CANOE/KAYAK has the overall accountability, responsibility, and authority for management of the business and affairs of USA CANOE/KAYAK in accordance with, and support of the Board of Directors, The Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act and the By-laws of USA CANOE/KAYAK.

Under the oversight of the Board of Directors the CEO establishes, implements, and oversees the short and long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies of USA CANOE/KAYAK in a manner that develops, protects, enhances, and promotes a healthy, diverse and vibrant organization, a flourishing club system, the Olympic and Paralympics movements and the World Paddling Sports.

The CEO's ultimate accountability is to develop USA CANOE/KAYAK as a high performance organization and as a premier water paddling organization.

The CEO must lead in creating a culture of respect for and service to Membership in coordination with the Board of Directors, the Sport Committees and all other constituencies of the sport. Additionally, the CEO must take the lead in establishing and fostering collaborative relationships with the clubs, the United States Olympic Committee, the International Canoe Federation, the Pan American Canoe Federation, and other groups as appropriate to promote and support the mission of USA CANOE/KAYAK.

The CEO, in coordination with the Chairperson, is a key spokesperson for and the representative of USA CANOE/KAYAK on the global stage. The CEO is expected to travel nationally and internationally in attending meetings and events. The CEO will have significant contact with the USOC in Colorado Springs, CO, the USOC Training Center in Chula Vista, CA, and other venues throughout the United States and throughout the world.

CEO's Key relationships

The CEO is appointed by, reports to and is accountable to the USA CANOE/KAYAK Board of Directors. The CEO is not a member of the Board or any committees, but actively participates in all Board meetings other than Board Executive Sessions.

The CEO manages the staff of USA CANOE/KAYAK and others who, at the CEO's discretion, have responsibility for conducting the business and affairs of the organization.

Key relationships:

• Board of Directors
• Membership
• Committees
• Clubs
• Sponsors
• United States Olympic Committee
• International Canoe Federation
• Pan American Canoe Federation
• Media and broadcasting partners

CEO's Major Responsibilities

1.  Realize the mission and goals of USA CANOE/KAYAK as set forth by the Board of Directors and design a strategy to achieve them successfully.

2.  Keep the Board informed in a timely and consistent manner of the progress of the organization on the achievement of the strategic goals.

3.  Identify, cultivate and secure sponsorship opportunities and develop a diverse funding base for USA CANOE/KAYAK's revenues

4.  Ensure the accuracy and integrity of the organization's financial information, reporting and disclosure requirements, internal controls, adherence to the USA CANOE/KAYAK Code of Conduct and other compliance requirements, and the highest of ethical behavior at all levels of the organization.

5.  Prepare, deliver and monitor budgets on a timely basis, and develop and deliver quadrennial and annual business plans, and obtain Board approval of the financial and budget requirements to achieve the plans.

6.  Represent USA CANOE/KAYAK with sponsors, athletes, employees, the United States Olympic Committee, international counterparts and other constituency groups, and travel as necessary, both domestically and internationally, to fulfill the CEO's responsibilities.

7.  Assist in the design and implementation of talent identification and high performance plans that will lead to medal winning performance by United States' athletes in international and Olympic competition.

8.  Implement administrative, financial, marketing, and human resources "best practices" while implementing clearly defined staff performance benchmarks.

9.  Increase USA CANOE/KAYAK's membership base.

CEO Key Selection Criteria and Critical Competencies

USA CANOE/KAYAK Chief Executive Officer - CEO must be an outstanding, highly credible leader with the necessary professional experience and personal qualities to lead the organization forward successfully.

The ideal candidate for the position of CEO will have the following experience/characteristics:

1.     A recognized leader with organizational management and governance experience as a sports business executive and prior Board or senior executive leadership experience in a non-profit or advocacy-based organization.

2.     A respected, polished executive with high integrity, diplomacy, credibility and proven ability to manage with vision and fiscal responsibility. Have successful profit and loss experience in managing and successfully building a sports-oriented organization, overseeing staff and maintaining an effective relationship with a volunteer board of directors

3.     A history of working effectively with a Board of Directors and a diverse, influential constituent base and a capability to build consensus within among constituents and within an organization

4.     A record of accomplishment of successful fund raising and sponsor acquisition and management and understanding of sponsorship

5.     A confident, articulate and inspirational communicator with significant experience in public speaking and the capability to interact with media.

6.     A highly competent and visionary person, with experience running day-to-day operations and building processes, disciplines and capabilities required to facilitate high efficiency who will leverage knowledge of best practices implemented by other organizations both inside and outside of sports.

7.     A demonstrated willingness to make tough decisions, but always treating people fairly and with respect.

8.     A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; a master's degree from an accredited college or university is preferred but not required.

9.     Experience as an athlete in national and international competition is preferred but not required.

Send inquiries and résumés to ceosearch@usack.org.

Tags: Board Meetings