The United States Professional Tennis Association, Lake Nona, Florida, is the global leader in racquet sports teacher certification, education, and professional development. With more than 13,000 members worldwide and 17 divisions nationwide, the Association’s mission is to raise the standards of tennis, pickleball, and all racquet sports-teaching professionals and coaches and to promote racquet sports.

The USPTA offers its members more than 60 professional benefits, including on-court liability insurance, health insurance assistance, and a supplemental savings plan for retirement, and offers more than 200 education events a year for members to improve their teaching skills and increase their business knowledge.

Basic Function: The selected candidate will serve as the Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Director of the Association. He/she will report to the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee and will manage all aspects of the Association including its activities and relationships between the Association and its Board, Executive Committee, members, guests, employees, community, government, and industry. The selected candidate will be involved in the development of the new strategic plan and coordinate and administer the Association’s policies. The CEO will manage a staff of about 20 and will be responsible for servicing its members by elevating the skills, standards, and opportunities of the tennis and racquet sports teaching professionals and coaches. Ideally, the Association seeks someone with previous general management or P&L experience, with excellent leadership, business management, and public speaking skills, who is familiar with racquet sports and its communities. The Association seeks someone who is a strong collaborator, has and can deepen strong alliances and networks across the tennis and racquet sports universe, and can grow the value of the Association with its members.

The ideal candidate ought to have:

Job Knowledge, Core Competencies, and Expectations

Visionary thinking, with a long-term, insightful view of the racquet sports industry and uses this to focus the USPTA. Knowledgeable of emerging and future trends that will affect the Association. Able to clearly envision and communicate the future of the Association.
Creates a culture that fosters trust, confidence, and loyalty from others. Demonstrates the highest integrity. Is consistently fair and respectful with people regardless of the situation. Bases decisions on ethics and principles as well as business needs. Characteristics of a successful CEO/ED will include honesty, straightforwardness, integrity, accountability, leadership, and dedication.
Collaborate to create win-win solutions. Resolves conflict in a constructive manner. Works for the good of the total USPTA organization, not just a portion of it. Develops networks and alliances across the racquet sports universe.
Uses strategic planning to include developing broad strategies that will yield desired business results. Make sure strategies are long-term and applied to multiple stakeholders. Strategies to result in acquiring or maintaining a competitive edge. Accounts for potential threats and opportunities in strategic planning.
Organizational implementation – Ensures that strategies are operational with the involvement of appropriate people. Makes sure accountabilities and expectations are clear. Uses a process for following up to ensure the quality of implementation. Able to orchestrate complex strategy implementation across the organization.
Results-oriented – Driven to obtain top results for the Association. Ensures actions that result in meeting Association goals. Provides persistent focus on quality as well as results. Is member-driven.
Inspires and motivates others, and earns the respect of the members, employees, and the tennis and racquet sports industry at large.
Conducts himself or herself in a responsible and professional manner at all times while at or away from the World Headquarters and encourages other staff members to do the same to reflect the proper image of the Association throughout the racquet sports industry.
Demonstrates interpersonal relations skills; is an excellent communicator and a competent administrator; communicates effectively the Association’s vision.
Sets goals and objectives as well as delegates to and coaches the department managers and their staff.
Manages cross-functional teams and multidisciplinary projects.
Displays sound judgment and diplomacy.
Financially adept commensurate with executive duties.
Attends conferences, workshops, and meetings to keep abreast of current information and developments in the field to enhance his or her value and quality of services to the members.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills

Experience as an Executive Director, General Manager, Company President, or leader of an Association
Experience managing multimillion-dollar operating budgets
Well-known and respected figure in U.S. and international racquet sports communities/industries
Excellent leadership, management, delegation, public relations, and multitasking skills
Management of complex capital projects required
Experience with leading and managing a diverse organization
Not-for-profit experience
Exceptional racquet sports knowledge
Excellent negotiation skills related to contracts and endorsements
Event planning and project management skills
Experience working with volunteer committees
Excellent public speaking and communication skills
Minimum bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university
Ability to travel

Other Essential Functions

Develop operating policies and procedures and direct the work of all department managers.
Implement and monitor the budget, monitor the quality of the Association’s products and services, and ensure maximum member and guest satisfaction.
Secure and protect the Association’s assets including facilities and equipment.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact the recruiter, Buffy @teamworkonline.com

How can we help?

Phone: (216) 360-1790 Email: [email protected]