Executive Director for United States Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC)
US Agricultural Export Development Council
Application
Details
Posted: 13-Oct-24
Location: Washington, DC area
Type: Contract
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
The USAEDC Search Committee is seeking to fill the position of Executive Director as a contract position. The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of its Board of Directors. The USAEDC Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the USDA-cooperator members. The Executive Director, under the general direction of the Chair of the Board of Directors, is responsible for carrying out USAEDC’s priorities.
Background
The US Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) is a member based non-profit 501-c6 trade association based in the Washington, D.C. area with current membership of 93 cooperators. Membership is comprised of U.S. commodity trade associations, farmer cooperatives, and state/regional trade groups representing U.S. agricultural interests. USAEDC supports its members in export development by partnering with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) on cooperative export market development programs. USAEDC focuses on increasing demand for U.S. agricultural exports through market research, trade missions, promotional activities, and more. Additional information about USAEDC can be found at www.usaedc.org.
Governance
USAEDC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors with one representative from each full member organization. Leadership includes four officers (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer, and Immediate Past Chair) serving two-year terms, and an Executive Committee of eight members serving three-year terms. All members are represented on the Board, but only full members have voting rights.
Management Contract Requirements
USAEDC is seeking management services from an individual, or an agency with a designated individual, who would hold the title of Executive Director and manage the day-to-day operations of the association, working closely with the Chair of USAEDC, its officers, board of directors, committee chairs, and USDA/FAS leaders. The management service contractor must be equipped to manage additional staff as needed and will be retained through an annual contract which will be approved and renewed by mutual agreement prior to the start of each fiscal year.
The Executive Director will be responsible for the USAEDC operating budget that is approximately $800,000, funded through dues, conference registrations, and sponsorships. Budget allocation includes management services, office overhead, insurance, website maintenance, accounting, and conference expenses.
Essential Responsibilities
The Executive Director is contracted on a full-time basis. The essential responsibility of the Executive Director consists of the following:
Act as key liaison between USAEDC members and USDA/FAS.
Advocate for U.S. agricultural exports with industry stakeholders.
Disseminate information on federal activities and opportunities.
Manage and promote USAEDC programs and services.
Daily interface with USAEDC officers, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and members.
Provide fiscal oversight and responsible for financial management
Day-to-Day Expectations
Interface with USAEDC officers, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and members.
Oversee team operations and program delivery.
Monitor legislative and regulatory impacts on export programs.
Ensure effective public/private partnership with FAS.
Coordinate association meetings and execute two annual conferences.
Manage financial operations, governance, and communications, including the website and other media.
Collaborate with MAP and FMD coalitions for consistent messaging.
Address membership inquiries and requests.
Core Competencies Required
Proven success managing membership-based organizations, particularly in agriculture.
A history of progressive leadership and management responsibility.
At least five years of experience with co-op or co-funded programs.
Experience managing public/private partnerships (agriculture or export/trade experience is a plus).
Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, marketing, international business, or related fields.
Additional Competencies
Proactive and innovative organization or individual skilled in managing complex. volunteer associations and fostering valuable partnerships.
Understanding of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service structure.
Ability to manage complex tasks and maintain confidentiality.
Strategic thinking and collaborative work style.
Proven consensus builder.
Relentless focus on customer service
Outstanding communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
Ability to prioritize member needs and manage multiple partners and agendas.
Experience in conference or major event planning, sponsorship development, and event oversight.
Other Interest
Proposal reflects a forward-thinking approach to managing the association.
Proposal addresses current and future needs within the U.S. agricultural export industry.
Annual contract fee amount will be dependent upon prior experience
Contract does not include health and other benefits.
Highly prefer that the candidate reside within the greater Washington, DC area.
Regular travel within the DC area for meetings and events is expected as well as occasional overnight trips
All proposals must include a management plan, cost breakdown of services, and background on key staff, if applicable.
Proposal Submission and Delivery Deadline
Responses must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, November 1, 2024. Please submit proposals to Greg D. Tyler (gtyler@usapeec.org) and Karen Horan (karen.horan@candyusa.com). Confidentiality is assured. A direct receipt of proposal will be sent to the candidates email within 2 business days of receipt.
USAEDC members are commodity trade associations, farmer cooperatives, and state regional trade groups that represent the export promotion interests of growers and processors of U.S. agricultural products. Members cooperate closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to increase worldwide knowledge, preference and demand for U.S. agricultural exports.
USAEDC serves as an information resource for its members on regulatory and legislative issues that may impact their ability to export their products. USAEDC also serves as the positive media voice for export development programs and our Cooperator community. We also provide a platform for our members and the USDA to discuss the operation and implementation of these programs overseas.