Chief Executive Officer

US Speedskating; Utah; On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A national sports organization is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead and manage its operations. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in sports operations, proven fundraising skills, and strong leadership abilities. This role involves developing strategic plans, overseeing financial health, and ensuring compliance with governing bodies. The position requires exceptional communication and organizational skills, fostering collaboration while promoting athlete health and performance. This is a full-time role based in Utah focusing on both national and international engagement.

Qualifications

• 15 years of experience in sports operations.
• Strong operational, financial and organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask and identify challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans.
• Lead revenue generation efforts.
• Manage the organization's annual budget.
• Ensure compliance with governing bodies.
• Engage with US National Team Members.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Team Building

Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is a full-time, on-premises, leader responsible for advancing USS’s mission nationally and internationally. The ideal candidate is an ethical, dynamic executive with a strong track record in fundraising and securing sponsorships, effective management and team building, and Board collaboration. The CEO will prioritize athlete health, safety and personal best performance, inspire cross-organizational teamwork and cultivate corporate partnerships. Exceptional communication, consensus-building, dispute resolution skills and influence-based leadership are essential. The CEO must navigate complex, evolving environments, foster strong stakeholder relationships, and possess a deep passion for sport and knowledge of sports governance from grassroots to Olympic levels. Proven expertise in marketing, media, and sponsorship sales is highly valued. The CEO is empowered to make organizational decisions, maintains open communication with the Board President, and reports directly to the USS Board of Directors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement tactical plans to achieve USS’s Strategic Plan, Mission, Values, and Organizational Objectives (with an external focus on expanding sport reach and visibility).
• Take a leading role in revenue generation by increasing sponsorship, fundraising, and marketing programs – to drive the long-term financial health of the organization.
• Develop and execute a communication plan to keep the Board, athletes, membership, and stakeholders informed of USS activities.
• Undertake travel to US and international events and to the ISU Congress, as necessary, as well as present an active and engaged presence at USS domestic hosted Salt Lake City events.
• Proactively develop and implement an international engagement strategy aimed at increasing the number of Americans appointed to ISU commissions, technical delegates, officials to strengthen US influence within the global speedskating community, and ensure American perspectives are represented in decision-making processes.

Staff and Team Responsibilities

• Provide effective day-to-day management and leadership to operate USS.
• Prepare, submit, and manage the organization’s annual budget.
• Determine necessary staffing and oversee all aspects of staff management, including hiring, compensation, policies, termination, procedures, and compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Organize, lead, and manage key departments: High Performance, Finance, Membership/Events, Marketing/Communications, as well as additional functional areas such as international/domestic relations, development, fundraising, SafeSport, legal, and others crucial to Strategic Plan results.
• Allocate resources in alignment with Strategic Plan objectives.
• Ensure employee job descriptions, performance manuals, and company policies are accurate, distributed, and adhered to.
• Build and maintain a diverse, talented staff team, fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Conduct annual employee performance reviews and document results appropriately.
• Engage directly with US National Team Members to develop insight into athletes
• high performance ambitions and alignment with US National Team strategy.

ISU and USOPC Responsibilities

• Serve as the USS spokesperson and act as Secretary General in matters with the ISU and other National Speedskating Federations (also listed under external due to overlap).
• Oversee USS’s relationship, funding, and obligations as a National Governing Body with the USOPC.
• Ensure USS compliance with the U.S. Center for SafeSport, World Anti-Doping Agency, the USOPC, and the ISU, proactively managing and mitigating organizational risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 15 years of directly relevant experience demonstrating acknowledged leadership and management skills in a nationally recognized sports operation.
• Strong operational, financial and organizational skills with ideally at least 7 years in a senior management role leading and building a successful organization.
• Demonstrated experience in securing the financial resources necessary to sustain and grow the sport through traditional sponsorship, marketing and philanthropy programs.
• Ability to multitask quickly and proactively identify challenges and solutions while staying focused on achieving the organizations mission and objectives.
• Candidates must be a US Citizen or have ongoing authorization to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire teams, fostering collaboration and respect for diverse experiences and contributions.

Additional Highly Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Management or Sports Management preferred.
• Familiarity with organized youth sports and developmental pipelines.
• Demonstrated experience in elite sports management and/or direct experience with the Olympic movement (USOPC a plus).
• Experience with broadcast and digital media relationships is a strong asset.