USA Cycling Foundation | Executive Director

USA Cycling Foundation

Executive Director
Remote

Reports to CEO


Background:

USA Cycling is the national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States, overseeing the development and promotion of cycling across various disciplines, including road, mountain bike, track, cyclocross, and BMX. As a member of the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Cycling plays a pivotal role in fostering elite competition, supporting grassroots development, and growing the sport at all levels.

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA Cycling serves as the central hub for competitive cycling in the U.S., managing national championship events, talent identification programs, and athlete development initiatives. The organization provides essential support to riders, clubs, and teams, offering structured pathways from amateur participation to professional and Olympic-level competition. Additionally, USA Cycling is committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the sport, ensuring accessibility for riders of all backgrounds.

Beyond competitive racing, USA Cycling also engages in advocacy efforts to improve cycling infrastructure, promote rider safety, and encourage broader participation in the sport. The organization partners with industry leaders, sponsors, and local communities to expand access to cycling opportunities nationwide. 

As USA Cycling continues to evolve, it seeks talented individuals who are passionate about the sport and dedicated to its mission of growing and advancing cycling in the U.S. Whether in athlete development, event management, membership services, or marketing, every role within USA Cycling contributes to shaping the future of cycling and inspiring the next generation of riders.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic and fast-paced organization that supports athletes, enhances cycling culture, and strengthens the sport’s presence on both national and international stages.

 

Any interested candidates should contact TurnkeyZRG directly.

Contacting USA Cycling will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

Position Summary:

The USA Cycling Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that exists to raise charitable giving in support of the mission of USA Cycling. The ED is a vital role with a focused objective of growing revenue from donations and grants.

It’s a little-known fact that there is zero taxpayer funding in support of the American Olympic movement. The two primary sources of revenue for the High Performance programs at USA Cycling are individual charitable giving and institutional grants. The Foundation is our primary entity for driving this giving, and it provides USA Cycling the resources it needs to meet our ambitious 10-medal target for the LA28 Summer Olympics.

The ED will be a key organizational leader and will report to the USA Cycling Chief Executive Officer. The ED will sit on the leadership team and will work cross-functionally across the organization and will report on a regular basis to the USA Cycling Board of Directors, and the USA Cycling Foundation Board of Directors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Strategic & Financial Leadership of Foundation

    • Set and manage the Foundation’s annual operating budget and revenue plan. Deliver budgeted revenue across individual gifts, grants, and matching programs. Ensure that management of funds is consistent with Board policies and Investment Policy Statement.

    • Create and implement a comprehensive, multi-year development strategy.

    • Generate Foundation revenue both through retention and upgrading of current donors and the acquisition of new donors with a strong focus on major gifts and building new sources of unrestricted funding.

    • Manage, motivate and support a team of Gift and Program Officers.

    • Track and monitor all donor information, leveraging data to improve performance and efficiency; provide/present analytical reporting to Board and senior leaders.

  • Donor Relationship Management

    • Demonstrate strong skills in cultivating and maintaining relationships with individual donors capable of making major gifts.

    • Possess personal and professional credibility within the professional and amateur cycling communities.

    • Demonstrate passion for the mission and for doing outreach to donors and prospective donors.

    • Act as a strong subject matter expert of the Foundation business, as well as the USA Cycling High Performance program.

  • Event Planning and Execution

    • Provide Foundation event program support, including budgeting, planning, venue management, catering, coordination of speakers, on the ground support, crisis management, and fundraising followthrough.

    • Collaborate with the USA Cycling marketing team to design and execute effective multi-layered marketing and communication campaigns around all Foundation events.

    • Demonstrate ability to coordinate resources across the athlete community, donor community, broader cycling community, and USA Cycling to bring compelling content to events.

  • Storytelling and Communication

    • Collaborate with USA Cycling marketing team to craft and deliver compelling narratives focused on athletes and outcomes that resonate with donor audiences across different media (event presentations, email, social media, direct mail, direct one-on-one outreach).

    • Show ability to communicate internally and externally to ensure that gift officers, donor allies, and USA Cycling staff are armed with these narratives and can make the connection for donors between giving and positive outcomes for athletes.

Qualifications:

  • A minimum 5 years of professional experience, at least 2 years of leadership experience in a nonprofit or otherwise relevant organization; demonstrated success in a development function (managing and forging relationships with multiple donors or funding sources at multiple levels).

  • Evidence of success and proven expertise securing and managing fundraising, with particular emphasis on securing philanthropic gifts from major donors.

  • Proven ability to set and articulate a fundraising strategy, build and execute a development plan, and utilize a metrics driven approach to evaluate outcomes.

  • Proven track record of implementing fundraising initiatives to significantly expand and steward existing donor relationships.

  • Knowledge of the sport of cycling, probably as a rider, racer, coach or an active industry participant, leading to a keen understanding and shared passion.

  • Self-motivated with a strong work ethic and commitment to operating with a high level of discretion.

  • Teamwork: working selflessly with others in pursuit of a common cause.

  • Power to build positive, professional relationships with internal and external customers and members of the Cycling community.

  • Positive, can-do attitude with ability to be creative in overcoming resource limitations.

  • Willingness to work non-traditional work hours including weekends and holidays.

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required 

Travel, Compensation, Benefits

  • This is a full-time, exempt role.

  • This role can be in either of our two offices: Colorado Springs, CO or Bentonville, AR. For an exceptionally qualified candidate, remote work is a possibility.

  • This is a travel-intensive role.

  • It will require travel to cycling events and other events throughout the year.

  • It will require travel for meetings with current and potential donors.

  • Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.

  • Comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Medical Insurance

  • Dental Insurance

  • Vision Insurance

  • Group Term Life Insurance

  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance

  • Flexible Spending Plan and Heath Saving Accounts

  • Employee Assistance Program

  • Paid Holidays

  • Paid Sick Leave

  • Paid Vacation Time

  • 403b Retirement Savings Plan

USA Cycling is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

TurnkeyZRG’S Commitment: 

At TurnkeyZRG, we do not just accept differences—we celebrate and support it. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital or partnership status, military or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. TurnkeyZRG is an equal opportunity employer and workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds & communities to apply.  

TurnkeyZRG’S Practice Leader:

Billy King - Managing Director

Billy King joined TurnkeyZRG as a Managing Director in January 2024, bringing with him over two decades of experience in Sports & Entertainment. Prior to his time in executive search, Billy was co-host of The WIP Morning Show in Philadelphia., while also serving as a studio analyst for NBATV. Along with his radio and tv hosting duties King was President of Elfus Sports, where he worked as an agent for basketball coaches and general managers. Previously King was the President of ReachMe Sports a division of ReachTV based in Los Angeles. ReachMeTV is a multi channel multi platform network that has a reach of 100 million viewers.

Troy de Haas - Managing Director, APAC

Troy de Haas is a seasoned executive search leader, former elite athlete, and the founder of TDH Sport & Entertainment. Armed with over two decades of international experience he has fast become Asia-Pacific’s most trusted Sports, Media & Entertainment executive search leader. Troy is committed to leading the high-stakes talent search in Asia-Pacific, the fastest-growing sports market in the world today.​

Len Perna - Chairman & CEO

Len Perna has been the Founder, Chairman & CEO of TurnkeyZRG since the firm’s inception in 1996. Mr. Perna has 30+ years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding TurnkeyZRG, Mr. Perna has successfully managed over 1,400 executive searches. He quickly established TurnkeyZRG as a leader in the space, known for its professionalism, confidentiality, and tremendous hires. Mr. Perna is an expert at understanding organizational culture, fit, and blending personalities. He regularly presents at sports awards ceremonies and speaks at industry conferences.