Executive Director, Valley Preferred Cycling Center

The Valley Preferred Cycling Center (VPCC) – known globally in the cycling community as “T-Town” - is a renowned velodrome and adjoining campus that hosts national- and world-championship caliber events as well as professional and amateur races; offers youth development programs and community outreach to help local residents improve their health and fitness through cycling. The multi-use facility hosts cycling and non-cycling events year-round and is managed in partnership with Lehigh County who is the site landlord. The Velodrome Fund, Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is responsible for all program staffing, sponsorship solicitation, community programs, fulfillment, insuring and permitting all racing activities held under sanction of the USA Cycling and the UCI. 

The VPCC is seeking an energetic, versatile, and principled Executive Director to lead and grow our facility as a center of cycling and community engagement.  Further, the Executive Director will ensure that track cycling remains a vibrant, well-funded, inclusive, and growing part of cycling in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, as well as nationally and internationally.  

In addition to partnering with the Board of Directors on Strategy, the Executive Director will assume a wide range of responsibilities, including: overall facility management; oversight of staff (may include full and part time positions, contractors, volunteers, and interns); management of existing sponsor and partner relationships; identifying, cultivating and bringing new donors and sponsors onboard; promotion of track cycling to spectators and participants; supervision and execution of our three seasonal racing series and community programs (multiple levels of youth programming, adult and women’s-focused programming). 

The Executive Director must be a self-motivated individual who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment and who can ably navigate the nuances of fundraising and business management, facility management, event production and promotion, and community engagement while also ensuring that important day-to-day tasks are professionally managed.   The Executive Director is expected to operate with the highest morals and integrity and set the direction and act as an example for others to follow for ethics and ensures staff compliance with SafeSport standards. 

The Executive Director assumes overall responsibility for financial management of VPCC and will partner with the Treasurer, Board of Directors and bookkeeper to set and manage against an annual budget. Fundraising and sponsorship development are key responsibilities, as are general revenue generation via ticket sales, concessions, merchandise, registration, and hospitality.   The Executive Director’s role is one of business management and leadership, with the business being that of running a large cycling facility with revenues, costs, stakeholders, and a community all of which require engagement and management. 

In addition, the Executive Director is expected to be a leader within the Lehigh Valley cycling community and should be willing to positively engage all types of cyclists who see VPCC as a regional focal point.  The Executive Director and staff are accountable to help constituents to find a way to connect with our facility, and welcome cyclists of all ages and abilities to our facility and events. Candidates should have a working knowledge of cycling, event production and sponsorship activation and should also be familiar with track cycling. Athletic achievement is not a consideration for this position, although connections to national and international athletes and cycling organizations is desirable. 

The ideal candidate will be familiar with people management human resources, financial management, practices, and procedures, and relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. The role is that of a working manager who will also lead and direct the work of others, and will report to the Board of Directors of the Velodrome Fund.

Responsibilities and requirements include (but are not limited to): 

Overall management of the VPCC: staff, programs, facility, and stakeholder relationships.

Set vision, strategy and organizational goals in collaboration with the Board of Directors; turning the vision into workable strategies, goals and actions and executing those actions while working within the budget.

Ability to professionally interact with and present to (with gravitas) business professionals in cultivating, securing, and building relationships with new sponsors; relationship management, ensuring obligations are met, and growing partnerships with existing sponsors.

Develop strategies and ideas to improve the facility and experience for our customers (spectators, users and racers) and expand use of the facility, which can include small capital improvements, give-a-ways/promotions, utilization of our mascot, Plaza area side shows / activities, displays, and development and pursuit of new off-season uses for the velodrome facility.

Professionally managing the annual budget by working closely with the bookkeeper, Board of Directors, and accounting firm to maintain control of all revenues and expenditures, and communicate financial information to the Board of Directors in a timely, accurate manner. 

Represent the VPCC throughout the Lehigh Valley cycling, business, youth, and not-for-profit communities to reinforce its position as an important regional resource and a center of cycling and wellness.

Annually develop and publish the race calendar early each year in coordination with USAC, the UCI, competing race schedules, and competing community events.   Identify and pursue national and championship events that are logical for our venue and raise the profile of the VPCC in the cycling community while managing to budget.

Maintaining the high level of track cycling competition that VPCC is known for in our summer Friday night racing series while also growing local/regional participation in track cycling, including event management and supervision in coordination with staff and officials. 

Ensuring excellent communication of events and activities at the VPCC; enhancing traditional media and social media presence.

Creating ways to expand the visibility of the VPCC to major Northeast metropolitan areas (New York, Philadelphia).

Leading efforts to secure grant funding for tourism, youth development, and athletic competition initiatives. 

Liase with Lehigh County to provide all financial and operational reports on Valley Preferred Cycling Center activity as required in lease agreement, and to maintain a cooperative relationship with landlord.

Develop and issue a year-end summary of activities to the County and sponsors. 

Overseeing staff and cultivating a positive, professional, and inclusive environment within the organization wherein staff feels safe, supported, and empowered. Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment by establishing, following, and enforcing standards and procedures, complying with OSHA and other governmental regulations (insurance, licensing, etc.); ensure that all staff are Safesport certified.

Manage human resource functionality for staff and hires: job descriptions, recruitment, onboarding, documentation and payroll setup, setting and managing performance expectations, compliance with laws and regulations, ensure employee handbook is up-to-date, manage employee training as required and resolve employment issues as they arise. 

Collaborating with VPCC staff to increase ridership across all levels of track cycling, but especially among women, regional elite riders, diverse riders, new riders, and youth; welcoming and supporting athletes from all over the world when they make the journey to VPCC.  

Interfacing with staff to ensure smooth operation of all events and general facility upkeep. 

Interfacing with food/beverage providers: food truck community, beer providers, local establishments, to leverage existing relationship and develop new ones to ensure quality and variety of our food and beverage alternatives on race nights and ensure margin back to the VPCC. 

Ability to obtain Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, PSP Criminal History Clearance, and FBI Federal Criminal History Clearance.  

Qualifications:

20+ Years of professional experience  in a related field; prior management experience preferred 

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Business applications

Excellent communications skills (verbal, written, presentations) 

Hours:

This is a full time, salaried position. Hours are flexible, but the Executive Director is expected to be present for all VPCC events, which means nights and weekends are required during our racing season (May-September). 

Benefits:

VPCC offers medical insurance to all employees, 10 paid holidays per year plus 2 paid flex holidays and the Executive Director will be entitled to 10 weeks of paid vacation (outside of the racing season unless explicitly approved by the Board of Directors) with additional vacation accrued based upon years of service.    

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Lynn Anne Yori, Recruiting Partner, Forward Recruiting, lynnanneyori@forwardrecruiting.net. Candidates should expect to provide references who can attest to prior work experience and character.