BikeHouston Executive Director Job Announcement

BikeHouston announces the opening of a search for the position of Executive Director (ED). BikeHouston is a 501(C)3 organization with the mission to promote safe bicycling and to improve the quality of life in the Houston area. Ideal applicants should be experienced cycling advocates with demonstrated success developing non-profit organizations. The ED will join BikeHouston as the first full-time employee of the organization and will find the support of an enthusiastic Board of Directors, Advisors and members ready and willing to help BikeHouston grow into a larger and more influential advocacy organization.

Houston

Houston has much to offer the cyclists who live and work here. The weather permits riding all year long and when downtown clears out on weekends and evenings, the riding there surpasses anything available in a city of our size in the U.S. Additional facilities are being built that will continue to expand those opportunities. Within twenty miles from downtown, there are bucolic country roads with low traffic that compare to the best roads for cycling anywhere. A little farther out we have hill country with challenging rollers that will give anyone a workout. Mountain bikers will find more challenging trails than might be expected and an active Velodrome rounds out the Houston area cycling facilities.

Houston is a culturally diverse city with world-class entertainment, sports and recreation opportunities too numerous to list. Houston is located on the upper Texas coast in a rich natural environment that includes a variety of habitats from coastal plains to river valleys and forestlands. Eclectic inner city neighborhoods offer a wide variety of options for residence. Our low cost of living makes many more of these options fall within the affordable range compared with any other metropolitan area in the United States.

The Challenge

Houston has many strengths as a cycling community and many challenges that should make the Executive Director’s job rewarding. Cycling as transportation in the Houston area faces many obstacles both physical and political. Integrating cycling into our public transportation system is lagging behind many other cities. The organization has immediate developmental needs with regard to membership and cash flow. As the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, Houston itself offers virtually unlimited resources for the applicant with the experience and drive to develop those resources. Please see the job description attached for detailed information about the position. The job description may also be found on the BikeHouston website at: http://BikeHouston.org.

How to Apply

BikeHouston would like to avoid killing trees in our search for an ED. Please send your cover letter, resume and any supporting documentation to BikeHouston via email to: This email address is being protected from spam bots, enable JavaScript to view it. . Applications are being accepted immediately and will be reviewed upon receipt. The anticipated start date is June 1st, 2006, but the position will remain open until filled by a qualified candidate.

Bike Houston is a growing, member-based advocacy group that services the 5 million+ resident, multi-county Houston area. As the only local bicycle advocacy group in the area, we work closely with governmental agencies regarding responsible transportation planning and implementation. Bike Houston aspires to leverage the power of the vibrant Houston bicycling community through a wide variety of programs and events to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in the region.

I. Definition and Purpose

Under the general supervision of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is a full-time position responsible for the overall operation, initiatives, programs, financials and contractual and governmental relationships for Bike Houston.

II. Educational and Qualifying Experience, Skills, Licenses, Credentials

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent required, master’s degree in related field preferred. Other direct experience and qualifications may be considered in lieu of a college degree.
• Willingness to take on a commitment to Bike Houston mission and goals. Thus, a bicyclist who is passionate about bicycling's vital role in transportation is strongly preferred.
• Sophisticated understanding of bicycling and sensible transportation issues. The ideal candidate will have professional experience in managing bicycle and related transportation advocacy and planning projects and knowledge of regional, national and global trends in bicycle policy and advocacy. Proven ability to work cooperatively with government agencies at all levels.
• Certification as League Cycling Instructor preferred. If not certified, will complete training within one year of hire. Understanding and support of vehicular cycling concepts.
• Experience managing and developing a non-profit. Familiarity with the operations and development of an effective non-profit board of directors is vital. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with the Board of Directors, Volunteers, and others.
• Significant experience and expertise as an advocate. Must know how to build coalitions and partnerships and employ different advocacy approaches and techniques. The director must have the ability to evaluate and redirect advocacy efforts and manage staff and volunteer advocates.
• Compelling personal presence and the ability to convey Bike Houston’s mission and ideas effectively to government, civic and business leaders. The executive director must be media savvy and a skilled communicator, including writing proficiency, to individuals and groups. Bilingual literacy in English and Spanish is desired.
• Proven ability to identify key goals, strategies for achieving those goals, and raise funds and resources to support those strategies. This requires the ability to budget, plan, control spending and be flexible about changing course and honestly evaluating existing and proposed programs.
• Track record of raising significant funds for public interest or advocacy work from a diverse range of funding sources including private foundations, non-profit services, government contracts, individual donations and events.
• Demonstrated success at recruiting and organizing volunteers and leaders from diverse populations.
• Ability to develop and manage Bike Houston’s consulting services and grants. Experience working on a consulting team and experience with project scoping, invoicing and contracts is a plus.
• Experience managing, supervising and hiring professional staff, and hiring and managing consultants. The candidate must be an adept internal communicator with experience supervising implementing programs and training leaders.
• Knowledge of Windows based computer systems, including Microsoft Word and Excel applications and mail software.

III. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Hire, train, direct and evaluate senior-level staff as the organization grows to include such positions. Direct maintenance of the Bike Houston website.

IV. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Bike Houston Board of Directors.
• Process ideas for new Bike Houston programs and directions with board and external interests.
• Primary Responsibility for Program Development.
• Builds Membership
• Meet regularly with program and administrative managers to monitor progress, strategize and solve problems.
• Troubleshoots program and administrative problems as needs and emergencies arise.
• Further develop current initiatives for fundraising, membership, events and consulting. Seek out innovative new opportunities.
• Direct involvement in projects of the highest level of importance or profile from a precedent setting perspective.
• Serve as a media spokesperson for Bike Houston as appropriate.
• Draft and monitor the Bike Houston budget.
• Coordinate legislative agenda at all levels of government.
• Serve as strategist on suburban and local projects and campaigns.
• Meet regularly with area Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators
• Attends Public Meetings and develops working relationships with government agencies whose work impacts cycling.
• Liaison with allied organizations.
• Provide technical advice to Department Of Transportation and other agencies by phone or in-person when requested as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with interested elected officials.
• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

V. Assessment

• Annual review by Bike Houston Board of Directors

VI. Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate among the networks of state and local bike advocacy groups.
• Work on federal legislation which impacts bicycling. Serve as leader on national initiatives.

VII. Address cover letter explaining the candidate's interest in the job, qualifications and resume to:

Email to all materials to the Bike Houston Board of Directors at This email address is being protected from spam bots, enable JavaScript to view it. .

VII. Salary Schedule

Consistent with national norms and commensurate with experience. .

VIII. Benefits

• ½ Social Security (FICA)
• Flexible Hours
• Paid Holidays
• Vacation Time
• Personal Days
• Other Benefits as determined at the time of hire and as benefits become available through organizational development.

X. Starting Date

Anticipated June 1, 2006

XI. Closing Date for Applications

Open until filled.

Bike Houston is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, affectional orientation or gender identity, disability, sex or age.