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Tag: U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association

  • USCSA Names Tandara-Kuhns New Executive Director

    (Press release)

    The U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) is excited to announce the hiring of Alec Tandara-Kuhns as its new Executive Director.

    Alec Tandara-Kuhns, USCSA executive director

    Alec graduated from University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) with a dual degree in Sports Management and Marketing. While a student at UMASS, he was a president of the UMass Ski ‘n’ Board Club with marketing and sponsorship acquisition a primary focus. Since graduating, he has worked in numerous positions in the snowsport and tourism industries including sales, sponsorship and marketing at Mount Snow in Vermont. Alec also has some unique experience working for Real Journeys, in Queenstown New Zealand, an experiential tourism market leader. Most recently he has been working on Resort Programming and Sales for Homewood Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe, CA, where he has produced events, fostered relationships with other partners and worked in marketing with social media content.

    “I am honored to have been selected for the role of Executive Director and excited at the prospect of growing the USCSA in years to come,” said Alec. “From the local series to our National Championships, I hope to strengthen our brand and produce competitive events through open communication and relationship building within the industry. Most importantly however, supporting our student athletes both past and present will be a primary focus and a driving force behind our mission statement to be the preeminent, national governing body of team collegiate snowsports.”

    USCSA President Adam Stark added, “I am very excited to welcome Alec to the USCSA family.  He is a natural fit and models the values of our organization. With his help we will continue to grow the USCSA and show the value that we provide.” As we welcome Alec, he will be jumping right in to work with all aspects of the USCSA operation and will be making a point to connect with many people as quickly as possible. There are many areas of focus, but communication is going to be a primary starting point.

    The USCSA had many excellent and qualified candidates apply for the Executive Director position. Alec stood out in his professionalism, energy and vision. The USCSA is excited to have him and believes many great things are in store for the future.

    The USCSA is the sports federation for collegiate team ski racing and snowboarding in America. The USCSA believes that student-athletes of all levels and abilities should have access to quality and exciting venues of competition. USCSA athletes agree that our team orientation fosters a collaborative approach across their collegiate athletic and academic careers, and often this mentality proves indispensable in their adult lives and careers. The organization includes 170 colleges from coast to coast, fielding 5,000 male and female, alpine, freestyle, cross-country, snowboarding and nordic ski jumping athletes in over 300 events annually.

  • USCSA Seeks Executive Director

    USCSA Seeks Executive Director

    (April 2, 2018) The U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA) is currently seeking a qualified and motivated individual to fill its Executive Director position. The Executive Director job description is below, and resumes can by submitted to HR@USCSA.com until April 20th 2018.

     

    USCSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

    Job title: Executive Director
    Reports to: Executive Board

    Job purpose

    The Executive Director, in partnership with the Board of Directors (BoD) is responsible for the Association’s a) consistent achievement of its mission and goals, b) ensuring its leadership within the collegiate snow sports community and c) maintaining accountability to its members.

    The Board of Directors delegates responsibility for the management and day-to-day operation of the Association to the Executive Director and she / he has the authority to carry out these responsibilities in accordance with the direction and policies established by the BoD.

     

    Duties and Responsibilities

    Leadership

    Provide strategic leadership in the development and growth of the USCSA, including creating strategic and annual operating plans, progressively advancing the Association’s strategic goals and objectives and ensuring the successful delivery of its programming.

    • Ensure the Association has a long-range strategy which achieves its mission and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.
    • Understand and consistently / actively represent the opinions and concerns of the USCSA members to partners and stakeholders through the appropriate channels.
    • Actively engage with the members of the USCSA and snow sports community to ensure the organization is current and proactive at all times.
    • Build and proactively maintain all USCSA partnerships through ongoing dialogue, information exchange and goodwill to enable the Association to work towards its goals in an atmosphere of integrity, openness, inclusivity and mutual respect.
    • Ensure the appropriate environment for schools, athletes and volunteers to engage in the activities of the Association.
    • Represent and speak on behalf of the USCSA to athletes, volunteers, vendors, donors and corporate sponsors and other partners / stakeholders in the media and at meetings, conferences and events.

    Operational Planning and Management

    Efficiently and effectively manage the daily operations of the USCSA to fully achieve its mission and maximize value to all members and stakeholders.

    • In consultation with the BoD, lead the development and implementation of an annual operating plan that aligns with and advances the Association’s short and long-term objectives.
    • In consultation with the BoD, develop annual and forecasted budgets to support execution of the operating plan and delivery of each program, event and special project. Ensure the organization operates within approved budget guidelines.
    • Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs, events and special projects. Ensure they are delivered as planned and on budget.
    • Develop and maintain sound organizational and financial practices in accordance with appropriate legislation, tax policy and best practices for nonprofit organizations.
    • Determine staffing/contractor requirements for effective organizational management and program delivery.
    • Provide support and direction to conference/division coordinators. Conduct annual evaluations for all coordinators and work with BoD regarding any issues of accountability.

    Administrative

    Ensure the appropriate environment for a) athletes, volunteers and staff/contractors to engage in the activities of the Association, b) the effective function of the Board of Directors and c) the efficient operation of high-quality programs and events.

    • Provide administrative and management support to the BoD, ensuring that all activities of the Association are in accordance with the governance structure, policies and procedures of the Board.
    • Facilitate the rule and policy making activities of the BoD through the provision of appropriate research information, supporting materials and documentation and administrative assistance.
    • Regularly identify and evaluate risks to the USCSA’s staff, volunteers, members, finances, goodwill and reputation and implement measures to control risks. Ensure the BoD and Association carry necessary and adequate insurance coverage.
    • Provide prompt, thorough and accurate information to keep the Board informed regarding key aspects of the Association’s operations, including but not limited to, financial position, membership retention and growth, and programmatic outcomes.
    • Ensure regular and effective communication within USCSA’s core volunteer constituencies.
    • Negotiate and manage all staffing, marketing, sponsorship and other contractual agreements on behalf of the organization.
    • Effectively execute high profile events and programs.

    Membership, Marketing and Fundraising

    Lead USCSA’s marketing, fundraising and member relations’ efforts to maximize membership retention and growth and enhance earned and contributed revenues through business development and sponsorships/fundraising.

    • Build and implement a marketing strategy consistent with the values of the Association that is effective in reaching media sources, strategic partners, sponsors and athletes and is successful in achieving annual and long-term communications objectives.
    • Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan that combines all appropriate fundraising vehicles (annual fund, major giving, grants, sponsorship, events) in a manner that maximizes ROI and keeps pace with the Association’s evolving need for contributed income. This may include the retention and further development of the USCSA alumni program and maintaining & development of corporate sponsorship.
    • Oversee all aspects of developing, strengthening, and maintaining the USCSA membership network throughout the country, including establishing long and short-term membership development benchmarks and budgets; strategically planning for and undertaking marketing activities; leading the organization’s member relations efforts; and serving as the primary steward of member relationships.
    • Experience with social media and working with the press to develop sustainable relationships with important media personnel to promote the USCSA and inform future athletes of the benefits of the USCSA.

    Required Skills and Abilities

    1. Degree in sports management, business administration, public policy, education, communication and a minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
    2. Proven senior leadership experience with a nonprofit organization is preferred.
    3. Experience working with a Board of Directors in an executive leadership position.
    4. Knowledge of competitive sports at collegiate level is preferred.
    5. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
    6. Confident communicator and spokesperson with the ability to work effectively with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
    7. Strong computer / technology skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office,Google documents/sheets, web-based communication & registration technologies, and database management.
    8. Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to manage staff/contractors and volunteers.
    9. Experience leading complex, detailed and time sensitive projects.
    10. Ability to motivate and direct positive change management and maintain high morale and enthusiasm within the Association.
    11. The position requires flexible working arrangements and includes sustained periods when increased time commitment is necessarily, such as during member registration and the competition season.

     

    Required Schedule

    The USCSA Executive Director position is expected to be full time from September through June.  Daily operating hours are 8-5 Monday through Friday with occasional weekends during critical times of the year.  Additionally there is a monthly conference call with the Executive Board of Directors occuring the first Thursday of every month in the evening.   The Executive Director is a remote-based position and the USCSA provides a computer and a cell phone allowance.

     

    The USCSA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Resumes can be sent to HR@USCSA.com.

     

    The USCSA is the sports federation for collegiate team ski racing and snowboarding in America. The USCSA believes that student-athletes of all levels and abilities should have access to quality and exciting venues of competition. USCSA athletes agree that our team orientation fosters a collaborative approach across their collegiate athletic and academic careers, and often this mentality proves indispensable in their adult lives and careers. The organization includes 150 colleges from coast to coast, fielding 5,000 male and female, alpine, freestyle, cross-country, snowboarding and nordic ski jumping athletes in over 300 events annually.