POSITION SPECIFICATIONS for the position of SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE LEARNING with THUNDERBIRD SCHOOL OF GLOBAL MANAGEMENT Executive Search and Corporate Governance Consulting 8 Sound Shore Drive Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 618-7000 Fax (203) 618-7011 333 South Grand Avenue Suite 2500 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 943-1336 Fax (213) 943-1301 www.rsrpartners.com
2 P a g e OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT SITUATION The Institution Thunderbird was founded on the idea that global business can help drive human and economic development, increase mutual understanding and maintain peace. Sixty-four years, forty thousand graduates and tens of thousands of executive education participants later, that simple but profound original idea remains as vital as ever. is the oldest and largest graduate management school in the United States focused solely on preparing international business leaders. Lieutenant General Barton Kyle Yount, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Training Command, founded Thunderbird after his military retirement in 1946 - following the conclusion of World War II. A pioneer and visionary of his time, General Yount saw a growing demand for international executive talent, which inspired his dream to create the first school of business to focus exclusively on international management. General Yount s dream was realized when Thunderbird received its original charter as the American Institute for Foreign Trade and General Yount became the school's first president. Since its founding, the school has since graduated more than 40,000 students who live and work in more than 140 countries. The American Institute for Foreign Trade was originally built on the site of Thunderbird Field, a historic airbase established to train American, Canadian, British and Chinese pilots during World War II, and from which the current name derives. The remnants of that earlier time can still be seen on the modern campus in a number of landmark buildings, including the airfield control tower, barracks and airplane hangars. The school's unique curriculum is based on the principle that to do business on a global scale, executives must know not only the intricacies of business, but also understand the customs of other countries and be able to communicate in different cultures. Throughout its history, Thunderbird has remained the leader in international business education by offering a cutting-edge curriculum taught by faculty who are recognized as global thought leaders in their respective areas of expertise. The school's uniqueness draws the very brightest and globally-minded students from cultures throughout the world. During any given trimester, more than 60 countries are represented among the student body. Over the years, the school has fostered its global presence that now includes operations in the United States, Europe, Latin America and China. The Position Thunderbird s Corporate Learning has been recognized as a world class provider of executive education services. Thunderbird ranks #1 in international business by the Financial Times, #1 international by U.S. News & World Report, and #8 for overall executive education by the Financial Times. Thunderbird s 8 Sound Shore Drive Greenwich, CT 06830 ( 203 ) 618-7000 Fax ( 203 ) 618-7011 333 South Grand Avenue Suite 2500 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 943-1336 Fax (213) 943-1301
3 P a g e rankings provide Corporate Learning with an excellent platform upon which to build and move to the next level. Thunderbird Corporate Learning has played an important role in the school s strategy for growth and is expected to play an even bigger role in its future. We are looking for a transformational leader who understands the new global challenges and opportunities in the world of executive education, is able to craft global strategies to address them, and is capable of building a strong management team that can ensure the organization s success. The will speciutilize a number of key strategies and tactics to transform and grow the school s market position as an international business education leader, including: Developing and expanding its corporate partnership pool, aggressively pursuing new business relationships in order to grow the business and implementing specific outreach programs targeting those relationships; Effectively leading a matrix organization to deliver client centric consulting services with creative delivery. Designing innovative solutions for clients and building a dynamic team of professionals; Leveraging the school s international campuses and ensuring the success of those off shore campuses by developing and executing targeted marketing plans; Leveraging the databases of clients and alumni to identify and optimize marketing opportunities; Becoming even more widely recognized as a leader and innovator in areas that differentiate Thunderbird from other business schools, such as providing the best investment value, offering uniquely customized programs, etc. The reports directly to the school s President, Angel Cabrera, with a strong dotted line to the Dean/Chief Academic Officer. Reporting directly to this position is a team of professionals and senior managers and program directors who have responsibility for sales, customer relations, and operations. Additionally, the directly influences the use of the school's shared resources, including faculty. The individual holding this position will be responsible for developing and executing Corporate Learning s vision, strategy and business plan. The Senior Vice President, Corporate Learning will have the mandate to communicate the merits and benefits of corporate learning development to a broad spectrum of the corporate universe, promoting both the need for such development and the school s ability to provide it through its cost-effective and value-adding curriculum. This person will be responsible for the growth and profitability of Corporate Learning, leveraging the faculty resources and tapping external talent when necessary to provide a competitive, high-quality corporate educational package.. 8 Sound Shore Drive Greenwich, CT 06830 ( 203 ) 618-7000 Fax ( 203 ) 618-7011 333 South Grand Avenue Suite 2500 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 943-1336 Fax (213) 943-1301
4 P a g e Given the present economic climate, the school is currently targeting growth, particularly with major corporations. To achieve this target, the Senior Vice President, Corporate Learning must be creative and disciplined in asset allocation, achieving maximum utilization of the school s constrained resources, including faculty resources. The successful candidate will improve Corporate Learning s operating margins through both increased revenues and expense management and by fully leveraging the school s resources. Among the criteria for evaluating the success of the individual selected to fill this position will be: Increasing the number and diversity of clients generating $500,000 in annual revenues; Expanding the depth and value of relationships with key clients; Aiding institutional advancement by leveraging the school s number of clients, faculty relationships and alumni; Leveraging faculty relationships and building strong faculty ownership in Corporate Learning. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate for this position is an individual with a significant and broad corporate background, most likely gained from having worked in leadership positions of increasing importance for several major companies with a strong customer focus, in an international environment, and must have a proven track record of translating objectives into results. This individual must excel in sales/business development, enjoy and be skilled at interacting with clients, prospects, peers and counterparts at other institutions, and have extensive experience in resource allocation and management. This person must be comfortable and effective working in a matrix organization, be a team player, be exceptionally skilled at influencing others, and be able to collaborate in a collegial fashion with faculty and other key staff members. Understanding the key technology trends affecting education and distance learning is critical. A proven record of accomplishment of executive leadership in a major consulting firm, a Chief Learning Officer, an academic institution known for its leadership in corporate learning would be a plus. Having current relationships and executive contacts who may be potential future clients for corporate learning programs will be an invaluable asset. Additionally, this person must be someone in whom the Board of Trustees have complete trust and confidence, and a person the Board would consider at some point in the future for a position of even greater management responsibility. This individual will have a graduate degree. Core Skills The ideal candidate must exemplify the following core skills: 8 Sound Shore Drive Greenwich, CT 06830 ( 203 ) 618-7000 Fax ( 203 ) 618-7011 333 South Grand Avenue Suite 2500 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 943-1336 Fax (213) 943-1301
5 P a g e Business development Communications Sales Administration management Leadership and team building Global orientation and experience Building/leveraging working relationships Essential Professional Expertise and Personal Qualities: The ideal candidate will also possess certain essential professional expertise and personal qualities including: Sales Management Skilled and experienced at planning, initiating and leading sales programs. Will have a demonstrated track record of generating incremental revenue. Interpersonal and Cross-Functional Management Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with internal and external constituencies. Experienced in gaining commitment from multiple constituencies to a vision and strategy. Ability to collaborate across units within the school and with diverse internal/external groups. Exceptional Planning and Implementation Abilities Strategic thinker, analytical and intellectually aggressive. Able to grasp and analyze complex situations, and quickly create well-reasoned solutions to get the job done. Will have a good balance of risk taking and judgment. Technology Knowledge and Understanding Experienced in applying technology for improving processes, such as CRM, as well as for deployment in areas such as e-learning. External/Internal Credibility Is a recognized and respected leader in their field. Will represent the school with distinction, integrity and in various internal and external constituencies, and with different alliances and partners. High Ethical Standards This individual will ensure that the school s culture is maintained and practiced at all levels. The achievement of goals will never be at the expense of the school s core values, purpose or mission. LOCATION Glendale, Arizona COMPENSATION An attractive compensation package commensurate with the significant responsibility and importance of this position will be offered to the successful candidate. 8 Sound Shore Drive Greenwich, CT 06830 ( 203 ) 618-7000 Fax ( 203 ) 618-7011 333 South Grand Avenue Suite 2500 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 943-1336 Fax (213) 943-1301
6 P a g e Gary Matus 333 South Grand Avenue 25 th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 Office: 213 943 1336 Mobile: 213 610 4202 E-mail: gmatus@rsrpartners.com Tim O Brien 8 Sound Shore Drive Greenwich, CT 06830 (Cleveland, OH) Office: 203 618 7006 Mobile: 216 526 3250 E-mail: tobrien@rsrpartners.com 8 Sound Shore Drive Greenwich, CT 06830 ( 203 ) 618-7000 Fax ( 203 ) 618-7011 333 South Grand Avenue Suite 2500 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 943-1336 Fax (213) 943-1301