Job Announcement: Executive Director

Location: Chicago or Los Angeles

The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) is a 501(c)(3) public-interest organization dedicated to achieving equitable, affordable, and environmentally sound mobility through the efficient sharing of transportation assets. Founded in 2014, with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, SUMC has a national reach and occupies a unique role in the quickly evolving field of shared mobility. SUMC serves as a trusted bridge-builder and convener, connecting the public, non-profit and private sectors to extend the benefits of shared mobility to all – in turn, breaking down racial, environmental, accessibility, and economic barriers.

SUMC’s role has never been more important. Shared mobility, in concert with transit, can address some of the most critical issues facing society, such as lowering transportation costs, lessening air pollution and expanding access to jobs, opportunity, and a better quality of life.

SUMC works closely with the Federal Transit Administration and the California Air Resources Board, collects and shares best practices through its comprehensive Learning Center, and provides technical assistance to 40 pilot programs across the country. SUMC also engages in national and local policy issues, conducts research for the Transportation Research Board and annually hosts a growing Shared Mobility Summit to foster new ideas and spark collaboration among different players in the shared mobility industry.

To learn more about SUMC, visit https://sharedusemobilitycenter.org.

Read about Founder and current Executive Director Sharon Feigon’s new role.

The successful candidate for Executive Director will be an entrepreneurial fundraiser, a talented communicator, and a skilled manager. A commitment to achieving racial equity, diversity, and inclusion among staff and constituents is essential. She or he will be responsible for building upon SUMC’s reputation as an independent thought leader in a fast-changing field, and for growing relationships with funders, policymakers, private sector partners, community leaders and other allies.

The Executive Director will maintain and expand upon high-quality programs, including technical assistance to cities and regions, research and communications. She or he will also develop new opportunities to grow earned revenue from trade allies, sponsors and from SUMC’s annual summit. To be successful, the Executive Director will ensure SUMC continues playing a national leadership role in shaping and improving upon the quality of transit and shared mobility while also maintaining a strong financial base and a dedicated staff.

Candidates will be evaluated on the full range of their lived and learned experience, professional background, activities, and direct and transferable skills. SUMC seeks candidates with a compelling combination of attributes in some or all the following areas:

Experience / Skills

• • CEO or director-level experience leading a non-profit organization, agency, or company.
  • Collaborative experience working with diverse groups and organizations to build working partnerships and launch new initiatives.
  • Track record fundraising from foundations, government agencies, and private businesses.
  • Collaborative experience working with policymakers, government agencies, non-profit and private sector partners.
  • Exceptional communicator, comfortable with public speaking and connecting with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and motivate staff.

Specialized Knowledge

• • • Clear understanding of the importance of community engagement and partnership development.
    • Knowledge of shared mobility use trends, industry providers, and technology.
    • Understanding of transportation-related government agencies and mobility startup culture.
    • Understanding of how shared mobility can be more creatively implemented in various cities, regions, states, and countries.

Education

• • Minimum: Advanced Degree or Equivalent Experience.
  • Preferred Areas of Study: urban and regional planning or policy, transportation planning and engineering, urban design, environmental or energy/climate policy, communications/journalism/media

Personal Attributes

• • Passionate about racial justice and economic equity, and broader systems change.
  • Strategic thinker and innovative leader.
  • Energetic, collaborative, and approachable.

The Executive Director is expected to be, or to become, proficient at various leadership, planning, and business activities, including but not limited to:

Leadership

• Serve as a visionary leader who engenders trust, credibility, and confidence across racial, economic, ethnic, public-private, and geographic differences.
• Understand the ways systemic racism is manifested in transportation services and promote strategies to transform these systems to advance racial equity.
• Encourage leadership and growth among staff and board members.

Fundraising

• Expand SUMC’s fundraising pool by cultivating new approaches, identifying new partners and new sources of funding.
• Ensure timely and effective monitoring of, and responses to, solicitations and requests for proposals, along with grants management, oversight, and reporting.
• Oversee effective management, and evaluation, of programs to identify new areas for potential development and iteration.

Staff management and development

• Create a positive workplace culture that nurtures inclusion, creativity, leadership, and professional development.
• Encourage leadership and growth among staff.
• Provide effective supervision to direct reporting staff and assist supervisors in problem-solving with employees.

Human Resources

• Hire high-quality staff to effectively fulfill SUMC’s mission.
• Set clear standards of performance, professionalism, expectations, and responsibilities.
• Ensure SUMC is in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

Work output and quality

• Ensure deliverables of staff are effectively completed on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Oversee development of high-quality and innovative programs and products.
• Produce high-quality deliverables (e.g. reports, white papers, grant proposals, strategic plan).

External communications

• Develop and maintain relationships with a broad range of partners including funders, business interests, individuals in agencies, policymakers, and elected officials who are interested in shared mobility planning, research, and programs.
• Facilitate conversations within, and between, diverse and disadvantaged communities about mobility needs, challenges, and racially equitable solutions.
• Present SUMC’s work to a range of stakeholders at meetings, webinars, and workshops across the U.S.

Partnerships and collaboration

• Identify and cultivate strategic relationships with partner organizations across the public, private, and non-profit sectors
• Bring people/organizations together to work strategically and translate ideas into action.
• Expand base of stakeholders and partners.

Fiscal oversight and board relations

• Ensure the organization’s fiscal health is monitored, maintained and in compliance with accounting practices, including federal requirements.
• Prepare SUMC’s annual budget, annual report, and audited financial statements for board review.
• Effectively interpret Board policies and concerns, and develop a consistent direction for the staff to follow.

SUMC maintains two offices, one in Chicago and the other in Los Angeles, with a staff of roughly 20 people and an annual budget of approximately $3 million. The Executive Director will be located at one of those offices and will travel regularly to the other office, as well as traveling regularly for work-related consultations, speaking engagements, and workshops. Work or travel may be required on weekends.

This position is open until filled with a priority deadline of September 25, 2020.

Candidate materials are reviewed on an on-going basis and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as is practical.

Please submit a resume and a two-page (or less) cover letter in PDF format addressed to the Search Committee at: [email protected].

Questions may be sent to SUMC’s Search Consultant, Diana Williams at [email protected].

This is a full time, exempt position. SUMC offers a competitive salary and benefits package that includes company holidays and vacation; sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; 401(k) plan and a pre-tax transit option.

SUMC strongly values equity and believes in a just and fair society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.

We work towards a more inclusive world and as such we are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant.

Employment opportunities at SUMC are based upon one’s qualifications and capabilities to perform the essential functions of a particular job. All employment opportunities are provided without regard to race, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.