President And Chief Executive Officer

The Columbia Association (CA) President oversees a team of approximately 1300 professionals, management, and staff members (full-time, part-time, and seasonal) who carry out the day-to-day operations. CA has an annual budget of approximately $75M of which over half of the income comes from the Annual Charge. CA provides a variety of amenities, including recreational and community facilities, 3,600 + acres of open space, over 100 miles of pathways, more than 170 tot-lots, and several parks. CA's recreational offerings include three fitness clubs, 23 outdoor pools, an indoor swim center, two golf clubs, three tennis clubs, an ice rink, a sports park with a skateboard park, miniature golf and batting cages, and an equestrian center. CA also runs before and after school programs in 20 schools and a number of summer camps. In addition, CA hosts various community events, including free events every night of the summer.
Essential Responsibilities and Knowledge:
Provide leadership in CA's operations with the assistance of established professional personnel, including accountants, auditors, attorneys, and personnel with experience in sports and fitness, community services, open space and environmental management, construction, and community development. Provide support to CA's Board of Directors and in conjunction with the Board, develop a strategic plan to advance CA's mission and objectives and to promote growth and profitability while maintaining a wide and diverse range of community services. Implement the Board's Strategic Plan, and ensure program and fiscal accountability. Oversee CA's operations to insure quality, efficiency, service, and cost-effective and environmentally sensitive management of resources. Implement policies and objectives ensuring the development of priority plans, performance measures, management controls, and critical success factors. The President/CEO is responsible for all financial, operational, administrative, contracting and legal aspects of the daily organizational management of CA, which includes but is not limited to:

• Ability to work cooperatively with the Board of Directors
• Sound management of all fiscal resources through CA's budgeting, strategic, and financial planning activities.
• Efficient and effective design, marketing, promotion, delivery, and quality of facilities, programs, and services.
• Leadership of an established, diverse staff which includes hiring, managing, and terminating staff (except corporate officers who are approved by the Board of Directors).
• Work with the CA Board of Directors who are elected by the residents of each of the ten villages to best serve the interests of the residents of the community.
• Business operations in accordance with best business practices.
• Consistent presentation of CA and its mission, program, facilities, and services in a strong positive image to relevant stakeholders.
• Continuous quality improvement -evaluating the effectiveness of all operations using financial and non-financial performance measures. The President/CEO is responsible for implementing the Board's Strategic Plan and ensuring program and fiscal accountability.

The President/CEO must be:

• Committed to the principles set out by CA's founder, Jim Rouse, and supportive and appreciative of the rich history and values Columbia seeks to maintain.
• Advocate for environmental concerns and issues.
• Supportive of the arts, leisure, recreational and community service opportunities.
• Committed to outreach programs aimed at reaching individuals who may not necessarily have a strong voice in the community.
• Open to serving the needs and interests of a diverse community consisting of a multiplicity of racial, national, and religious groups and age cohorts.
• Committed to ensuring that State and County legislative initiatives are monitored and appropriate actions taken to communicate CA's position to legislators.
• Committed to being visible and to meeting, interacting, and working with residents, Columbia businesses and organizations, and Howard County government.
• Committed to actively serving as a liaison to other business and governmental bodies and organizations, e.g. Chamber of Commerce, Maryland General Assembly Senators and Representatives from Howard County, and Howard County Council and Government.
• Committed to serving on boards of other organizations as directed. The President must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule. Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Work may require frequent weekend and evening work to include attendance at all Board and Board committee meetings (including, but not limited to regular bi-monthly Board meetings, special Board meetings, quarterly Audit Committee and Risk Management Committee meetings, and one or more retreats per year with Board and senior management members). The CA President also serves as a member of the boards of the Inner Arbor Trust, Inc., Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, and Downtown Columbia.

Requirements:

• 15+ years progressively responsible management experience in managing a public benefit or community services corporation or non-profit organization and at least ten (10) years senior level administrative and financial management with experience in a corporation or non-profit organization of the type, size and complexity of the Columbia Association.
• Executive or Deputy Director or President or Senior Vice-President experience required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - the ability to converse well and get along with a diverse community and actively represent the organization in the community.
• Keen business acumen - history of successful management of businesses/organizations with complex financial structure, revenue streams, and capital programs.
• 4 year degree required; Business Administration, Finance or Non-Profit Management, or other relevant discipline preferred.