Running USA Inc.

Flexibility allows for this position to be located in any city where this person can work from home.

CEO

Established in 1999, Running USA is the professional association for the Running Industry. It is devoted to :

• Improving the status and experience of road racing and long distance running in the United States
• Supporting the running industry
• Increasing the number of people who enter events and buy the products of the industry

Running USA works to support its mission through:

• Cultivating and serving the running, sports and mainstream media
• Providing information services and industry research and statistics
• Promoting and publicizing its members
• Providing education for event directors and organizers
• Providing a forum for and discourse between youth programs of all kinds
• Supporting the development of world-class athletes
• Organizing and hosting the annual convention and awards dinner

The vision of Running USA includes the following:

• 20 million people of all ages consider themselves to be active runners, adopt healthy lifestyles and participate in road races
• Leading American athletes are serious challengers for World Championships and Olympic medals
• Running and fitness, as important parts of the self images of our youth, have helped combat the deadly threat of obesity
• Running is regularly and prominently featured in the news, sports and lifestyle media
• Running events, goods and services enjoy a growing and thriving market
• The various running organizations cooperate, complement each other and work to a common goal

www.runningusa.org

Since its inception, Running USA has been led by a long term CEO, a nationally regarded figure in the running industry.  The CEO will retire in February of 2008 and the organization’s board is determined to build on the record of excellence and extend the organization’s impact even further throughout the sport.

The CEO is responsible for the following:

• Chief spokesperson for Running USA
• Fund raising, to include development and management of corporate relationships at the national, regional and local level
• Financial oversight & management
• Set-up/maintain administrative framework that will succeed in a self-reliant/self-sufficient environment
• Supervise & manage local and/or remote staff and key volunteers
• Manage Team Running USA Elite Athlete program
• Regularly communicate with and solicit member needs-input and ensure membership services focuses on & fulfills needs/desires of individual, event and corporate members/stakeholders
• Build/maintain strong media services
• Work with and utilize the Board of Directors resources
• Develop and implement a plan to cultivate strong collaboration with other long distance running stakeholders including but not limited to USATF, RRCA, regional and national government agencies and leaders, major events, media, retail and event products and consumer products companies
• Manage/oversee an annual planning process, budget, and business plan
• Oversee the planning and implementation of the annual Congress (Running USA Conference)
• Oversee the establishment and expansion of youth running programs around the country

Reports directly to the President of the Board of Directors, communicating regularly.  Works with Board of Directors, staff and key volunteers on a day to day basis.

• Demonstrate experience and qualities as a proactive leader with a clear and determined sense of purpose:
• History of “willing things to happen” despite long odds and modest funding
• Respect for lean operating environment and efficient application of resources
• Obvious passion for long distance running
• Solid communications skills
• Oral
• Written
• A record of excellence in leadership, particularly strong communications skills, and the stature to represent Running USA as its key spokesperson
• Proven background leading/building an organization w/disparate and varied stakeholders
• Ability to build a sense of community between different constituents.
• A combination of sales, sponsorship recruiting, and/or fund raising experience with strong track record of success
• A belief in positive leadership through consensus building
• Experience in identifying and mentoring a strong, lean staff in a collaborative working environment
• Experience in working collaboratively with a member-driven BOD
• Experience in a field related/relevant to Running USA’s mission that includes business management/administration.
• Non-profit management experience a plus
• Experience in developing a stronger “brand”
• Experience in the sport

Commensurate with experience.

Undergraduate degree is required and a Master of Business Administration preferred.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, salary qualifications and a resume by January 1, 2008 to:

Virginia Brophy Achman
Vice-President Running USA
C/o Twin Cities Marathon, Inc.
4050 Olson Memorial Highway
Suite 26.2
Minneapolis, MN  55422

Or virginia@mtcmarathon.org