Bay Area Council seeks new SVP of Transportation

  • Community
  • by BPC Staff
  • on August 2, 2018
  • 0 Comments

The Bay Area Council is an employer-sponsored, public policy advocacy organization for the nine-county Bay Area.  It is a nonprofit organization with annual revenues of $9 million, supported by more than 300-member companies representing the top employers in the Bay Area, and a staff of approximately 35 employees.  The Council proactively advocates for a strong economy, a vital business environment, and a better quality of life for everyone who lives in the Bay Area.

 

In a recent anonymous employee survey, colleagues said they like working at the BAC because of:

  • “The people, love that we are a noble cause organization, am so proud of the work we do, love our members, our ability to help the region.  I really like the BAC culture, friendliness, humor and fun in the workplace.”
  • “Being allowed to bring who I am as a person to my role and performance as a BAC employee.”
  • Challenges, latitude to innovate, ability to manage my time and goals fairly independently, great friends and team members.”
  • Many really smart people to work around all willing to do whatever is necessary to get things done”
  • “The BAC has an awesome mission, and an ability to rally together to achieve lofty goals. The staff feels like a family”

 

Founded in 1945, as a way for the region’s business community and like-minded individuals to concentrate and coordinate their efforts, the Bay Area Council is widely respected by elected officials, policy makers and community leaders as the regional voice of business in the Bay Area.  Its mission is to improve the global competitiveness of the Bay Area.

SUMMARY

The Senior Vice President, Public Policy is a member of the public policy team, shaping policy that affects millions of Bay Area and California residents.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Vice President, Public Policy, leads the development and execution of a set of the Bay Area Council’s public policy initiatives in the area of Transportation and other policy areas that may be assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

According to numerous studies, the Bay Area has the second worst traffic in the country and some of the worst traffic on the planet.  Every year residents and business leaders rank traffic as a top-three problem in the region.  A growing number of Bay Area residents are looking to leave the Bay Area as the region’s housing and traffic crises take their toll, according to results of the 2018 Bay Area Council Poll. The poll found that 46 percent of respondents are considering leaving the Bay Area in the next few years, with millennials (18-39) leading the way at 52 percent. If we want the Bay Area to remain a center of innovation and a beacon for those who want to build their dreams, we have to do better.

 

In the 1950s, the Bay Area business community, through the Bay Area Council, envisioned and created a new regional passenger rail system to knit together the region and support its development. That vision became BART, and, true to its forefather’s intent, the counties that it serves have grown robustly and become a prosperous and integrated economy.  Many transportation projects of tremendous importance have followed BART, but none at the scale or vision to truly shape and support the growth and prosperity of the entire region. The opportunity exists for today’s Bay Area business leaders to play the 21st century version of the role played by BART’s founders—to envision a regional transportation package of such scale and vision as to guide and support the Bay Area’s next fifty years.

Leaders in Los Angeles County and the greater Seattle region have recently proven that such leadership is not just a thing of the past, but that it can succeed, and will be rewarded, today. Thanks to local leadership and voter support, Los Angeles County is now embarking on a $120 billion package of transportation solutions of unimaginable scale, while the greater Seattle region similarly won voter approval for a transformational $54 billion transportation package.

The Bay Area can do the same.  We seek a Sr. Vice-President that can help lead this revolution by securing a package of traditional and advanced transportation solutions and strategies that will measurably transform and dramatically relieve the congestion that afflict the people and commerce of the Bay Area.

Business Community Leadership — Establish the Bay Area Council as the regional policy leader and advocate for business on transportation policy issues, as well as any other areas assigned.  Position the Council as a genuine partner – the “go to” organization for regional stakeholders to access the business community.  Serve as a primary resource on the perspectives, interests, and concerns of the business community related to your assigned policy areas.

Policy Research, Analysis & Advocacy

  • Develop and maintain expert, up-to-the-minute knowledge of the relevant policy and political issues and players and keep team members informed.
  • Research and analyze current and proposed local, regional, state, and federal public policies to determine their potential impact on or integration with BAC goals and objectives.
  • Monitor proposed legislation (local, state, and/or federal, as relevant) and pending actions by public agencies that will affect assigned policy areas; identify opportunities and threats to Council policy objectives; and develop Council response.
  • Testify on behalf of BAC members at public hearings.
  • Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with key external stakeholders, including other business groups, public officials, agency staff, researchers, advocacy organizations, foundations, etc.
  • Communicate (in writing and orally) Bay Area Council positions effectively and convincingly to Bay Area Council members, prospective members, public officials, advocacy organizations, opinion leaders, voters, and citizens at large.
  • Prepare written reports, memos, letters, newsletters, emails, web-site content, op-ed pieces, speeches, and PowerPoint presentations.

Member Engagement — The Bay Area Council is a member-driven, not staff-driven organization.  You must engage and involve BAC members in developing and advocating Council positions on public policy issues.  Coordinate and staff BAC member committees and task forces.  Learn BAC member interests, concerns, and perspectives on assigned policy areas, and develop program activities that engage members on the basis of those interests.  A Sr. Vice President is expected to bring in at least two new members a year and raise $100k otherwise.

Events & Meetings Support – For meetings, events, and delegation trips involving assigned policy areas, work with the team to provide comprehensive management for these activities.  This includes recruiting speakers, arranging venues, setting dates, developing agendas and pre-reading materials, developing invitation lists, sending invitations, tracking RSVPs, arranging catering, A/V, hotel, transportation, staffing needs, name badges, registration and day-of-event staffing and support.  Draft minutes following meetings where applicable. 

Database Management, Tracking & Reporting – For assigned policy areas, ensure that all committee members and related contacts, accounts, events, meetings, and sponsorships are regularly updated and maintained in the Salesforce CRM database so that contact information, event registrations, mailing lists and other functions supported by the database are accurate and reliable.  Work with key contacts in member companies to ensure that the contacts we have for the organization are current, and that their contact information is complete and accurate. 

Other — Coordinate activities with, and as necessary assist and support, other Bay Area Council staff (in policy, communications, membership, events, and accounting functions) in order to ensure overall success of the Council.  Perform other duties in support of Bay Area Council programs and activities as assigned.

Transportation Committee — Serve as the staff lead for the Transportation Committee of the Bay Area Council, as well as any associated task groups.  Support the Committee Co-Chairs in setting the agenda, recruiting membership, convening and conducting meetings, handling logistics, and communicating with Committee members.  Regularly report progress on Committee initiatives and activities to all members and to other key stakeholder groups.

Public Speaking – The Senior Vice President is expected to be a policy expert and excellent public speaker, who can be questioned extensively at hearings on public policy, and give speeches to large groups. They are the leading choice – in addition to the CEO or COO – for TV, radio and print interviews.

Team Management – The Senior Vice President should be ready to manage a team of staff members across policy areas in campaigns, working with the Executive Committee and all policy chairs.  In addition to serving as a mentor, duties include performance management and development of staff.  Actively resolve any conflicts that may develop amongst team members.

Grant Development – Apply for and manage government, corporate, and private foundation grants to support Bay Area Council programs and initiatives in your assigned policy areas.

Fundraising – Be proactively engaged in other fundraising efforts by the Bay Area Council, including new member recruiting, solicitation of event sponsorships, grants and solicitation of contributions from member companies.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS

  • Demonstrated experience and success in the collaborative shaping and implementation of public policy

 

  • Excel at soliciting and acting on the collective thoughts of our membership in your assigned policy areas, plus engaging our members in your work.

 

  • Strong background and working knowledge of the issues impacting transportation policy.

 

  • A catalyst with vision who can create excitement and energy around the BAC programs and initiatives. Encourage others to support the organization — persuasive, persistent, and determined in the pursuit of the organization’s mission and goals.

 

  • Ability to effectively gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including board and staff members, partner organizations, donors and foundation and community leaders.

 

  • Good facilitator and leader. Can effectively plan and moderate large meetings of people with diverse and often conflicting viewpoints.

 

  • Good planning, organizing and project management skills – can develop and execute clear plans with timelines for complex tasks and projects. Can develop and manage budgets effectively.

 

  • High energy, strong work ethic. Sets and meets challenging goals.  Meets deadlines consistently.   Sets high standards of performance through own example.

 

  • Good team player – builds constructive working relationships with others – treats people with dignity and respect.

 

  • Accountable – takes responsibility for actions and results.

 

  • Comfortable and credible in dealing with senior executives.

 

  • Conscientious, shows good attention to detail, produces consistently accurate work.

 

  • Very good written and oral communications skills.

 

  • Good knowledge and skills with Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications.

 

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree with at least 8 years of experience in the areas directly applicable to the duties and responsibilities outlined above. MPP, MPA, JD or related degree preferred.


COMPENSATION: 

The salary range for this position is anticipated to be between $133,900 – 154,500. The ultimate salary will be based on the education, experience and skills level of the successful applicant.  The Bay Area Council also provides a generous benefits package that for 2018 includes: employer paid employee medical, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits; 401(k) deferred compensation program with generous employer matching; nine paid holidays per year; and paid time off accrual (up to 20 days per year for newly hired employees).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work is primarily sedentary with intermittent stooping, bending and walking throughout the day.  Ability to lift thirty-five (35) pounds infrequently.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your resume and cover letter as one pdf e-mail attachment with your last name and “Sr. Vice-President Transportation” in the file name (i.e., Smith_ SVP_Transportation) to jgrubb@bayareacouncil.org. Please cc jhawk@bayareacouncil.org.

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

 

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