About Cycling Industries Europe : The voice of Cycling Industries in Europe.
CIE delivers the strengths of the cycling business sector to sustainable mobility and recreation in Europe, representing cycling businesses at the EU level. A core purpose of CIE is to demonstrate the benefits of the whole cycling ecosystem including the supply chain and service industries, and to include all dimensions of cycle use from mobility to recreation and sport.
CIE aims to double the use of bikes in Europe by 2030 and create 1 million green and sustainable jobs across the whole cycling ecosystem in the same period. Today the organisation has a wide range of members from SMEs to global companies and represents all sectors including manufacturers, service providers, infrastructure, digital solutions and shared mobility providers, represented in influential cross-sector Expert Groups which guide the development of the industry and public policy.
Context and role of the CEO
The new CEO of CIE will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the European bike industries. The sector has had recent successes with the European Declaration on Cycling and the inclusion of cycling in the EU’s Mobility Transition Pathway for industrial policy. As the sector is consolidating, CIE needs to capitalize on its legacy and successeses but also to change dimension to be seen by the EU policy makers as the go to sectoral trade association.
The CEO will provide strategic leadership, foster industry partnerships, and advocate with policy makers for the association’s goals and priorities. The successful candidate will demonstrate profound leadership skills, understanding in the whole cycling industry and legislation as well as sound management experience.
Profile of the candidate sought:
The Board of CIE has defined the candidate they are seeking as follows:
- Team leadership/teamplayer in order to create a strong Brussels team
- Long term strategic thinker
- Communication skills to adapt complex messages in a comprehensible manner to all parties
- Good understanding of Brussels/EC and national policy processes
- Manager of strategic partnerships (content and financial)
- Focus on fulfillment of the industries’ goals and taking relevant decisions with the CIE Board.
- Desirable: Understanding of the regulatory framework for mobility or the industrial sector
Missions and Responsibilities
The new CEO of Cycling Industries Europe will be expected to build on the achievements of the current team in addressing the main strategic priorities for the coming years, including by developing a new strategy and activities plan following the upcoming European Parliament elections and based on the composition of the new European Commission. The new CEO should also be able to develop technical knowledge and understanding of the cycling industry and its environment, based on experience within the sector or from other industries.
1. Leadership and Members Management
- Develop and implement a forward-looking vision and strategy for CIE, aligning with the organisation’s mission, values with the support of the President and the Board of directors.
- Identify emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities within the business environment of the cycling sectors (micro-mobility, alternative transport, new usages, innovation and infrastucture). Long term strategic thinker as per the cycling industry’s future and the positioning of the trade association in these discussions.
- Foster strong and transparent relationships with member organisations, the President and the Board of Directors to ensure healthy and efficient collaboration.
- Efficiently and strategically manage the evolution and growth of the CIE membership (criteria to become a member, potential new membership types or levels, etc.) in accordance with the President and Board of Director’s recommendation.
- Be the face of the Association with industry actors, policy makers and technical bodies. Lead the high-level advocacy efforts of the Association and its efforts to advance the cause of the cycling sector.
- Maintain and create effective member engagement through structures such as expert groups, working groups and projects.
2. Expertise and effective communication
- Current knoweledge or ability to rapidly develop good understanding of the sector, industrial policy, mobility and transport and allied issues in order to support overall CIE’s communications initiatives in addressing diverse stakeholders.
- Understanding of the functioning of the European Union and internal dynamics is a must.
- Capacity to connect CIE’s agenda to the policy priorities of the European Union, develop and maintain a network with high level stakeholders.
- Ability to translate complex technical and industrial concepts into understandable messages to policy makers. Reversely, be able to explain to the industry the impact of policy initiatives on members’ business models and how to take advantage of them.
- Attach the industry’s interest to a large public debate on transport, mobility and sustainability goals.
- Enhance the visibility and reputation of the organization through thought leadership, public speaking and media engagements, and public relations activities.
3. Trade association management
- Management of a team of 5 persons. The CEO will have to demonstrate his ability to lead the team and create a cohesive atmosphere, experience in that matter is a must. Understanding of human resources concept and practicalities. Organising the work of the team, objectives, KPIs and annual review performance.
- Legal management of the association and responsibility for ensuring effective and efficient management, as well as compliance with the local legislation. Understanding of the association/companies’ legal framework in Belgium.
- Together with the Head of Operations, financial planning and management of the organization’s budget. Diversifying the source of revenues through for example participation to European Projects. Establish strategic partnerships with other trade association and actors to advance the interests of the association.
- Organisation and planning of CIE annual assembly in accordance with the Board. Presentation of the financial results, priorities and planning for the future.
Why you should be interested in this role
- Lead a well-established association and have impact on a number of topics linked to alternative mobility and sustainable transports agenda in the European Union.
- Participate in the transformation journey of the organization and desire to promote the cycling sector as an inevitable partner on transport and mobility issues at EU and member states level.
- Convinced about innovation and the potential of the sector as a tool to de-carbonize transport and support climate change agenda.
- Interact directly with decision makers/partners within the community and sector in Europe and globally, and further grow an extensive strong professional network.
- Work with a highly qualified, motivated and driven team.
- Further build management experience leading a strong and multicultural team.
Remuneration
- Full time employee contract in Belgium or consultant contract
- Competitive remuneration based on experience.
How to apply
Please send your CV and cover letter by email to Julien.Schiettecatte@mavence.com, mentionning “ CIE – CEO” in the object.
LocalisationBrussels
SecteurCycling; Mobility; Industry; Sustainability