SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITYThe SANDAG Board of Directors seeks an Executive Director with a strong background in management as well as transportation and regional planning, capital development, and operations, who facilitates consensus and decision-making.

SANDAG MISSIONThe 18 cities and county government are SANDAG, the San Diego Association of Governments. This public agency serves as the forum for regional decision-making. SANDAG builds consensus; makes strategic plans; obtains and allocates resources; plans, engineers, and builds public transportation, and provides information on a broad range of topics pertinent to the region’s quality of life.

SANDAGSANDAG is a legislatively created regional government agency that serves as the forum for regional decision-making. SANDAG is governed by a Board of Directors composed of mayors, councilmembers, and county supervisors from each of the region’s 19 local governments. Supplementing these voting members are advisory representatives from Imperial County, the U.S. Department of Defense, Caltrans, San Diego Unified Port District, Metropolitan Transit System, North County Transit District, San Diego County Water Authority, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association, and Mexico. Policy Advisory Committees assist the Board of Directors in carrying out the agency’s work program. These include the Executive Committee, Transportation Committee, Regional Planning Committee, Borders Committee, Public Safety Committee, and Audit Committee.

The SANDAG Board of Directors is responsible for creating public policy on significant regional issues such as growth, multimodal transportation, land use, climate change, environmental management, housing, open space, air quality, energy, fiscal management, economic development, and public safety. SANDAG serves as the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization and Regional Transportation Commission for the region.

Each May, the SANDAG Board approves the Annual Program budget. The FY 2018 budget allocates $1.31 billion in federal, state, and local resources for regional planning, services and operations, and capital improvement initiatives.

SANDAG is responsible for a variety of projects, programs, initiatives, and operations; the agency leads planning, environmental review, design, and construction of capital projects that focus largely on transportation improvements. These projects range from the implementation of dozens of bike/pedestrian paths as part of the San Diego Regional Bike Plan, to major transit improvements like the $2 billion Mid-Coast Trolley extension and South Bay Rapid projects currently under construction, and the North Coast Corridor program of projects that will invest $6 billion in multimodal improvements and habitat preservation in the coming decades.

SANDAG develops San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan, a comprehensive document that is updated every four years and includes the Regional Transportation Plan and the region’s Sustainable Communities Strategy. The agency oversees administration of TransNet, the region’s half-cent sales tax for transportation and SANDAG works to secure matching funds from federal and state sources to support the TransNet program, as well as other goals and objectives established by the Board of Directors. SANDAG has numerous operational responsibilities, including the South Bay Expressway toll road and the I-15 Express Lanes FasTrak programs, as well as administering the region’s Motorist Aid Services program of highway call boxes and the Freeway Service Patrol. The agency also implements programs to reduce traffic congestion, improve mobility, and promote alternative commutes, and fulfills many other regional responsibilities such as serving as a clearinghouse for crime statistics, demographic and GIS mapping data, and a variety of regional models.

SANDAG STRATEGIC GOALSThe SANDAG Board of Directors has established the following long-term strategic goals as the framework for the agency’s annual work program.

1. Implement the regional vision and guiding principles of San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan.

2. Improve mobility by providing more transportation choices through implementation of TransNet, public transportation, goods movement, Transportation Demand Management (TDM), emerging technologies, regional operations, and Active Transportation improvements.

3. Develop and implement strategies to improve the quality of life in the region as characterized by a sustainable economy, healthy environment, public safety, and more housing choices consistent with the components of the Regional Plan and the SANDAG mission.

4. Enhance organizational effectiveness both internally and externally. Partner with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure rapid delivery of projects; advance strategic efforts to increase communications with member and partner agencies, committees, and the public.

5. Pursue new funding and innovative solutions to fiscal, economic, and environmental challenges and opportunities.

The SANDAG work program is based upon the premise that “the goals for planning originate with the people.” SANDAG uses a mix of committees, working groups, public hearings, workshops, surveys, web-based information, social media, and publications to inform, gauge, and respond to public concerns regarding regional issues. The direct involvement of residents and organizations representing all segments of the population, including outreach efforts

to traditionally underrepresented and underserved populations, such as the elderly, disabled, low-income, and minorities, are encouraged to ensure that plans and programs reflect the diverse interests within the region.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORUnder policy direction from the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will plan, direct, manage, administer, and review the activities and operations of SANDAG; coordinate services and activities among SANDAG departments, the Board of Directors, Policy Advisory Committees, member agencies, and outside organizations; provide highly responsible and complex executive support to the Board of Directors and Policy Advisory Committees; serve as Executive Director of the San Diego County Regional Transportation Commission; and provide leadership to approximately 350 employees.

SANDAG’s highest priorities are described below. Funding and resource decisions have been made with respect to their contribution toward advancing these objectives. The new Executive Director will possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to direct and lead staff in these important goals and initiatives:

• Modeling and Research: Employ technologies, methodologies, and models to enhance research and analysis capabilities to support complex policy and operational issues.

• Sustainable Development: Planning and Funding Strategies. Working with partner agencies and stakeholders, advance the region’s sustainability goals and policies, including those related to air quality and climate change. Use a coordinated planning process to implement all the projects and programs contained in the Regional Plan, as well as develop funding strategies sufficient to support the region’s sustainability vision.

• Sustainable Mobility Programs and Services: Collaborate with Caltrans, transit operators, and other partner agencies to implement sustainable mobility projects, programs, and services that help to improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion, increase reliability, enhance customer service, and address air quality and climate change goals.

• External Support and Communi-cations: Develop strategies to effectively expand member agency awareness and engage the public regarding the development of regional projects and programs.

• Regional Operations and Services: Manage and optimize operational programs and customer services to deliver enhanced mobility and public safety services for the region.

IDEAL CANDIDATEThe Executive Director will be an effective leader with the ability to coordinate SANDAG’s planning, project implementation, and operations activities. The ideal candidate should

be collaborative, visionary, fiscally wise, and politically astute but apolitical. The Board values a big picture perspective and forward-thinking attitude. The Executive Director should be proactive and a forthcoming, honest, and skilled communicator with the ability to foresee and respond to issues/concerns of the public and the Board of Directors. He/she should have knowledge of federal, state, and local politics and practical experience affecting policy change.

The Board seeks an individual capable of positioning SANDAG as a regional leader and managing internal and external change. He/she should encourage cities in the region to prepare for growth and take a balanced approach to meeting the region’s needs. The ability to analyze situations, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals is sought in the new Executive Director. In addition, the selected candidate should have the ability to allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner and travel as needed on behalf of the agency.

Knowledge of the following principles and practices is expected: regional governance administration, organization, functions, and services; current social, political, and economic trends and operating problems of regional governance; techniques of long range, sustainable regional planning in land use and transportation; organization and management as applied to the analysis and evaluation

of programs, policies and operation needs; governmental resource management including budget preparation and administration and funding practices of federal grant agencies; organization, administration and personnel management; supervision, training and performance evaluation; pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

During a month-long information gathering process, the Board provided several opportunities for the public, employees, and stakeholders to comment on the leadership characteristics, knowledge, and skills they desire in the next Executive Director which include:

• An individual with credibility, integrity, and the ability to build trust.

• A visionary with knowledge of regional planning and sustainable multimodal transportation systems who will support climate planning efforts throughout the region.

• A strong mentor and leader for employees, with the ability to hire and retain exceptional talent, and who encourages professional development, transparent communication, and team-building.

• An apolitical consensus builder with the ability to fairly assess and address the complex and diverse transportation issues experienced by all segments of the region’s population.

• An individual with extensive knowledge of transportation funding sources and the ability to creatively leverage funds and continue SANDAG’s legacy of having projects ‘shovel ready’ as soon as funding becomes available.

• An open, honest communicator and relationship builder with a strong local, state, and federal network who embraces collaboration and its importance to SANDAG’s success.

• Familiarity with transboundary planning and the ability to foster strong relationships with Mexico to undertake the challenges and opportunities associated with the busiest border crossing in the world.

• An exceptional leader with an unflappable presence and the ability to provide clear, thoughtful analysis and decisions in a demanding, fast-paced, and often contentious environment.

• A track record of leading change and ensuring organizations achieve their highest levels of performance and success.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCEAny equivalent combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: 15 years of increasingly responsible supervisory and management experience in public or private sector. City or county management experience is desirable. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in planning, transportation, engineering, public or business administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITSThe salary range for the Executive Director is negotiable and will be based on qualifications and experience. A competitive benefits program includes:

• California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS 2% @ 60 years for classic members or 2% @ 62 years for new members as defined under PEPRA); SANDAG does not participate in Social Security

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance, including coverage for dependents; Executive Health and Wellness program

• Life/AD&D insurance; Short and Long-term Disability insurance

• Management Benefit - 2.5% of salary annually to be used toward one or more of the following: health

insurance premiums, additional PTO, or contributions to the 457 Plan or flexible spending accounts

• Leave Benefits – a combination of 11 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and up to 28 days of Paid Time Off per year

• Transportation Benefits – vehicle allowance, paid parking, and regional transit pass

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESSThis position is open until filled. To be considered for this exceptional opportunity, please immediately submit your resume (including dates of employment plus staff size and budgets managed), cover letter, the names of six work-related references (two each for current or former supervisors, direct reports, and colleagues) to: https://secure.cpshr.us/escandidate/JobDetail?ID=318

Resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure.Candidates deemed to have the most relevant qualifications will be invited to interview with the consultant, following which, the most qualified candidates will be referred for interviews with the Recruitment Subcommittee. Finalist candidates will be interviewed by the full Board of Directors. An appointment to the position will be made after completion of comprehensive reference and background checks to be coordinated with the successful candidate.

SANDAG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pam DerbySenior Executive Recruiter CPS HR ConsultingPhone: 916-471-3126Email: pderby@cpshr.usWeb: cpshr.us/search