Tuesday, August 26, 2008

President, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Western Pennsylvania Chapter - Pittsburgh, PA

Posted: 8/26/08

Background and History
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association representing more than 24,000 merit shop construction and construction related firms in 78 chapters across the United States. ABC’s mission is to provide the best training, government and legal representation, and programs to ensure members a competitive advantage, add value to the industry's clients, promote a safe work place and enhance the lives of the industry's employees. Through its national office and chapters, ABC's objective is to provide its members with an organization to deal with issues on an industry-wide basis.

ABC was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md. to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. Their courage and dedication to the merit shop philosophy spread rapidly, and within time, ABC became the fastest-growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's business community and the U.S. construction industry.

ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry.  ABC is the construction industry's voice with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and local governments, as well as with the news media. ABC's activities include government representation, legal advocacy, education, workforce development, communications, technology, recognition through national and chapter awards programs, employee benefits, information on best practices and business development through an online contractor search directory.

For more information on the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of ABC please visit www.abcwpa.org.

PRESIDENT POSITION OVERVIEW
The Associated Builders and Contractors Western Pennsylvania Chapter (ABCWPA) is a separate nonprofit entity, governed by a volunteer board of directors. Comprised of nearly 130 dues-paying members and an annual budget of more than $500K, the organization is seeking a President to oversee day to day operations, and work in a collaborative manner with the Board to advance the mission of the organization.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
In the first 18 months, the President will be expected to be responsible for directly accomplishing or managing the accomplishment of the following:

1. Dramatically increasing the number of new or renewed dues-paying members in the ABCWPA.
2. Increasing enrollment in ABCWPA’s training programs.
3. Increasing ABCWPA’s operating budget, and working to balance that budget every year.
4. Enhancing the image and awareness of ABCWPA, and the building trades profession.
5. Increasing membership engagement, including increased attendance at events and meetings.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Serving as the President, s/he is responsible to the Board of Directors for the effective operations of the affairs of the association. S/he recommends and participates in board formulation of the association mission, goals, and objectives and related policies. Within that framework s/he plans, organizes, coordinates, controls, and directs the staff, programs, and activities of the association. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Employs all staff; reviews effectiveness of employed personnel annually with Executive Committee; observes individual performance; appraises its effectiveness through a formal performance appraisal system; and recommends appropriate salary recognition, promotions and terminations.
• Defines staff duties and establishes performance standards.
• Provides for cost effective training programs for current and new personnel through personal contact, special courses and conferences. Carries primary responsibility for staff development.

MEMBER SERVICES

• Communicates the objectives and programs of the Chapter and the National Association to the membership and general public and through the communications media and other means as appropriate.  Plans and executes all communications to membership, including newsletters, general mailings, news releases, and so forth.
• Promotes interest and active participation in association activities to membership and local/chapter groups.
• Develops education programs to advance the professional, technical, and managerial skills of the membership, operating within the budget and program objectives that the board of directors approves.
• Is responsible for the logistics and agenda of monthly Chapter membership meetings including scheduling of speakers and other timely program presentations.
• Plans, promotes, and administers all official association meetings (monthly Board meetings and less frequent chapter membership meetings), striving to exceed membership satisfaction goals.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND REVENUE GENERATION
ABCWPA generates revenue from four primary sources; membership dues, education and training, events and sponsorships, and miscellaneous non-dues income.

• Develops annual Chapter budget for Board approval, administers the approved budget and is responsible for income through membership increase, membership retention, and non-dues income to maintain the budget in balance and build member equity.  Apprises the Board of opportunities and deficiencies.
• Ensures that proper bookkeeping and accounting is performed so that accurate accounting of all chapter monies can be presented to the Board of Directors each month.
• Actively develops and manages various programs that will maximize non-dues income, including sponsorship of events and marketing materials.
• Assures that all required reports and dues are paid to the National Association at the required time.
• Ensures that all funds, physical assets, and other association property are appropriately safeguarded and administered; operates within the approved budget.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Ensures that the board of directors, executive committee, and officers are fully informed in a timely manner of association conditions and of all important factors influencing them.
• Attends all meetings of the board of directors and executive committee.
• Plans, formulates, and recommends for the approval of the board of directors basic policies and programs that will further association objectives.
• Executes all decisions of the board of directors except when directors specifically make other assignments.
• Executes contracts and commitments as authorized by the board of directors or within established policies.
• Maintains official minutes of the board of directors and other official association meetings.
• Consults and advises in the selection of Board members, committee chairpersons and committee members.
• Provides the necessary liaison and staff support to committee chairmen to enable committees to properly perform their functions; ensures that committee decisions and recommendations are submitted to the board of directors for approval.  Oversees, and participates in, when possible, the activities of all committees.
• Actively manages the organization and planning of all Chapter functions and conferences, i.e. Leadership, Legislative, Convention, etc.
• Is an ex-officio, non-voting, member of the executive committee and the board of directors.

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH & RETENTION

• Develops strategies and manages activities that will result in achievement of annual membership growth goals.
• Plans, organizes and directs membership promotion and retention programs, and evaluates results and recommends policies, procedures, and actions to achieve membership goals.
• Collects dues and recommends cancelling the membership of delinquent members.

COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Represents the association in any and all local and state government matters affecting the construction industry.  Knows the political climate of the area or has political connections.
• Maintains effective relationships with other organizations, both public and private, and ensures that association and membership positions are enhanced in accordance with the policies and objectives of the organization.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts public relations programs to enhance public acceptance of the industry.
• Serves as supervising editor of the monthly official association publication.
• Provides security for all files, legal and historical documents, and membership and mailing lists.
• Acts as a direct liaison with the State Association and the National Association, as well as attends State and National events.
• Serves on state and national committees as appointed.

EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Establishes positive working relationships with the following:

• General chapter membership
• State and National Association leaders
• Appropriate Local, State and Federal government officials
• Industry executives and officials
• Executive officers and elected secretaries of other associations
• Leadership of subordinate or allied groups and organizations
• Public service organizations

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The ideal candidate for this position possesses a blend of the following:

• Demonstrated leadership ability and skills, including:
• Leadership versatility and flexibility
• Visionary leadership, combined with tactical implementation abilities
• Responsibility
• Intelligence
• Developing others
• Team building
• Consensus building
• Ability to act as a change agent
• Strong customer orientation and track record.
• Consistent success in fund raising from a wide variety of sources.
• A degree in Construction, Business, Communications or related field
• Demonstrated business expertise
• Board development; strategic planning, agenda planning experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong supervision, organizational and management skills.
• Understand and able to lead in Strategic Issues such as PLA’s, Prevailing Wage issues, workforce development and other ABC Core Value issues.

TO APPLY: Please send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: Keith Impink, 193 Central Road, Tarrs, PA 15688, or email to kimpink@westmorelandelectric.com (if emailing resume, please include “ABC President Search” in the subject line).

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Dewey & Kaye Jobs Watch in your cover letter when applying for this position.

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