The RoleWe are hiring two Directors, District Council Success, to join a specialized Success Team of three supporting the District Council Network. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, District Council Operations, each Senior Director leads a portfolio of District Councils, sized according to council maturity and scale, and one network-wide area of practice.
This is a role for an experienced leader who knows how chapter or component networks really work. You will manage and coach the Executive Directors who run our councils, help them build strong and financially healthy councils, and partner with the volunteer chairs and boards who lead them. You won't run the councils yourself. You will be the expert, coach and connector who helps each one succeed, and who brings the best of what is working across the network to everyone else. The role operates with a high degree of independence and is part of the leadership pipeline for the District Council Network.
What You Will DoLeading a portfolio of councils
- Lead a portfolio of District Councils and share responsibility with Executive Directors and member leaders for council results, including membership growth and retention, revenue, and reserve health.
- Analyze council performance, spot risks and opportunities early, and turn what you find into practical action and clear insight for District Council leadership.
- Approve council budgets and annual work plans within network standards, and put business improvement plans in place where councils need extra support.
Managing and coaching Executive Directors
- Directly manage the Executive Directors in your portfolio, including goal setting, performance reviews, and incentive recommendations.
- Act as an expert coach and advisor, helping Executive Directors and their teams run strong operations and deliver for members.
- Recruit, develop and retain outstanding council staff, and build a culture of trust and accountability across your portfolio.
Leading across the network
- Lead one network-wide area of practice, such as fiscal and operational performance, or member leader and governance development, and set the standards, tools and training used by all 54 councils.
- Connect councils with each other, share what works, and surface the local success stories that show the value and reach of the network.
- Step in for the Senior Vice President, District Council Operations when needed.
Partnering with member leaders and headquarters
- Advise District Council chairs and boards on governance, leadership succession and strategy, and represent ULI with member leaders and external partners.
- Act as the link between councils and ULI's headquarters teams and Global services, building trusted relationships and making systems work well for the councils.
- Help bring ULI content and programs to life at the local level, in coordination with the District Council leadership team.
What We Are Looking For- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in association management, component or chapter relations, affiliate networks, member-network leadership, or nonprofit operations.
- Experience leading a nonprofit organization, chapter or affiliate network with full budget responsibility, or equivalent senior leadership of a multi-site operation.
- A track record of managing, developing and holding senior staff to high standards, including executive-level leaders.
- Strong business and financial acumen: you are comfortable owning budgets and financial statements, tracking and forecasting results, and having candid conversations when the numbers aren't where they need to be.
- Proven success building partnerships with volunteer and member leaders, and a solid grasp of nonprofit governance and how to work in a matrixed organization.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, and the judgment to work well with a wide range of stakeholders, from local staff to senior volunteer leaders.
- Experience leading and building an inclusive culture in a distributed, remote team.
- A bachelor's degree. A CAE or similar credential is a plus, as is experience within the ULI network.
- A commitment to and passion for responsible land use.
What Success Looks LikeBy the end of year one, the Executive Directors in your portfolio see you as their go-to coach and advocate, and each council has clear goals, an approved budget and work plan, and a regular rhythm of check-ins. Councils that were struggling have a plan and are moving in the right direction, and you are spotting risks before they become problems. Your area of practice has practical standards and tools that councils across the network are actually using. Chairs and boards trust you, headquarters teams know you as the person who makes things work for the councils, and the Senior Vice President has a leader they can rely on to step in when needed.
Working at ULIYou will join the District Council Network team within ULI Americas, as one of a three-person Success Team working closely with the Senior Vice President, District Council Operations, and with Executive Directors, member leaders and headquarters colleagues across the Americas. This is a hybrid role with a strong preference for candidates based in the Washington, D.C. area. Expect to travel to District Councils, ULI convenings and related meetings about 15 to 20% of the time, with some early morning and evening events.
CompensationThe posted salary range for this position is $89,097 to $135,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Application InstructionsTo apply, please follow the link and submit a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, tell us about a chapter, component or member network you have helped succeed.
