EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. Brecksville, Ohio. is seeking an

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1 Founded in 1971 Brecksville, Ohio is seeking an EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR R.I.T.A. s Mission The mission of the Regional Income Tax Agency is to provide member communities with high quality, cost effective municipal services. We strive to service our member municipalities with integrity and their taxpayers in a professional, courteous, and responsive manner. R.I.T.A. s History In 1971, thirty-eight northeast Ohio communities joined together to form a Regional Council of Governments (RCOG) to foster cooperation and share resources for the common good of its member communities. The formation of R.I.T.A. was the result of the first official act of the RCOG to administer the income tax laws of the member municipalities. Currently, oversight of R.I.T.A. is provided by a nine member Board of Trustees, of which at least six must be officers or employees of its participating members. Board members serve three year terms with three positions being filled with new members each year. The Board of Trustees is authorized to administer and enforce the income tax laws of each of its participating municipalities. The Board appoints an Executive Director who has responsibility for the agency s personnel and for its day-to-day operations. In carrying out its fiduciary responsibility to collect and distribute income taxes for its members, RITA has developed cutting edge technology, processes and procedures in order to effectively and efficiently service its state-wide membership. The Mercer Group, Inc.

2 R.I.T.A. s Growth Since its foundation in 1971, R.I.T.A. has experienced extraordinary growth. As of January, 2013 its membership will include 215 municipalities in sixty-two counties located throughout the State of Ohio, serving over 850,000 taxpayer accounts. R.I.T.A. also administers municipal taxes for thirteen joint economic development districts (JEDDs), one joint economic development zone (JEDZ) and one enterprise zone. The total population of the membership R.I.T.A. serves exceeds 1,700,000. R.I.T.A. s headquarters is located in the City of Brecksville, Ohio with satellite offices located in the Cities of Worthington, Youngstown, Cleveland Heights and Mentor. THE POSITION R.I.T.A. s current Executive Director, Rick Carbone, is retiring after eight years of service to the agency. The recruitment of a new Executive Director provides the Board of Trustees the opportunity to bring new leadership to a rapidly growing, high performing statewide municipal tax agency with an exceptional reputation. R.I.T.A. s new Executive Director will administer a 2013 Operating Budget of approximately $19 million and oversee a workforce of 174 FTE s and 3 Part Time/Seasonal employees, spread over the following divisions: Brecksville Chamber of Commerce n Deputy Director/Chief of Staff Q Chief of Tax Operations Q Manager, Customer Service Q Manager, Processing/Production Q Manager, Business Compliance Q Manager, Youngstown Office Q Manager, Worthington Office Q Manager, Records Processing n Chief Legal Counsel/Compliance Chief Q Manager, FTI (Federal Tax Information) Q Manager, Legal/Subpoena n Chief Financial Officer Q Assistant Finance Director Q Manager, Human Resources Q Manager, Municipal Services n Chief Information Officer Q Manager, IS Development Q Manager, IT Operations/Security n Director of Member Services and Marketing Department

3 Founded in 1971 Collecting Taxes that Benefit Your Community in a Variety of Ways THE IDEAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR R.I.T.A. The Executive Director will have the opportunity to serve a Board of Trustees that works together harmoniously. The Board encourages creative, innovative problem solving approaches to the agency s policies and operations and seeks an energetic, proactive executive who will move the agency forward to fulfill its Mission and Vision Statements. Previous management experience in tax policy, tax administration/collection or municipal finance is viewed favorably, however, demonstrated leadership and administrative skills, coupled with well-developed managerial ability, is also very important in this position. The successful candidate should bring a strong set of executive skills to the position, accompanied by at least five (5) years of management experience within a public or private sector organization. A four year degree is required, preferably in finance, business or public administration, accounting or a closely related field. A Master s Degree in Business or Public Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is preferred. A CPA or J.D. degree is also considered a plus. The ideal Executive Director for R.I.T.A. will also be someone who: n Has a record of the highest integrity and ethics and a reputation that continues the credibility that R.I.T.A. has developed. n Has a strong business acumen and the ability to assist the Board of Trustees in policy, organizational development and strategic planning. Will be an effective advocate for R.I.T.A. in any setting. n Has an inclusive and collaborative management style and prefers to achieve results through teamwork. Values a talented workforce, fosters ethnic diversity, training and professional development, expects accountability and has contemporary knowledge of the use of performance measures and pay-for-performance plans. n Can interact effectively with Board Members from different municipalities but does not count the votes first, prior to making decisions. Can be relied upon to give his/her best professional recommendations to the Board. n Has highly developed interpersonal skills; is sensitive and empathetic to others and can relate effectively to the agency s stakeholders, large and small, on a day-to-day basis. n Communicates well and persuasively, orally and in writing, and is a good listener. n Is comfortable working with technologies enabling public access and information sharing such as e-business, tax registration, collection, compliance, data exchange, imaging, web-based applications and disaster planning. n Is politically astute but is not a politician.

4 WHY THIS IS AN ATTRACTIVE PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITY The Executive Director will be expected to work closely with the Board of Trustees to successfully implement the following targeted goals: l Monitor and keep Board Members closely informed of pending state legislation and measures that can impact municipal income tax laws and regulations in Ohio. The Executive Director is expected to be available to testify on behalf of R.I.T.A before the Ohio General Assembly on income tax matters. l Continue to strengthen external communications and ongoing relationships with Agency stakeholders (its member municipalities and their representatives). l Foster methods to increase the job satisfaction of a dedicated workforce through the use of internal surveys and the use of meaningful performance measures and incentives. l Continue to develop value-added marketing, outreach and recruitment programs targeting nonmember communities who would benefit from tax collection and the many other high quality services offered by R.I.T.A. l Continue improvement of the ethnic diversity of the agency s labor force to better reflect the general population of its member communities. l Continue to improve methods of communication and information exchange between the Executive Director, the R.I.T.A. Board of Trustees and the Regional Council of Governments. n With a client base of 215 municipalities in sixty-two counties, R.I.T.A. is a highly regarded public agency with substantial influence within the State of Ohio. n R.I.T.A. s Executive Management team is talented, motivated and considered an asset to the agency. From the outset of the new Executive Director s appointment, they will be committed to helping him/her successfully achieve agency goals. n Since 2001, the agency has developed major technological advancements in systems and services that are offered to its members, such as new webbased applications, electronic filing, a document imaging system, a virtual private network, and simplified tax forms incorporating auto-calculation routines. n The nine member Board of Trustees work well together and there are no factions. n The greater Cleveland area offers a wide range of affordable housing options, excellent schools and health care, superb cultural attractions, professional sports, a high quality of life and is a wonderful place to live, work and play. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS n The Salary range is $139,048 $206,856 and the appointment may be made anywhere within the range, depending upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. n R.I.T.A. is a member of Ohio PERS (Ohio Public Employee Retirement System) With assets of $72.3 billion as of 12/31/2012, OPERS is the largest state pension fund in Ohio, the 11th largest public retirement system and the 16th largest retirement system in the United States. OPERS, which recognized its 75th Anniversary in 2010, provides retirement, disability and survivor benefit programs for public employees throughout the State of Ohio who are not covered by another state or local retirement system. Additional information about OPERS can be obtained by accessing its website at: n Monthly auto/expense allowance is negotiable. n R.I.T.A. currently provides employees and dependents with a comprehensive health plan including: health, dental, vision and prescriptions. n Life Insurance is currently provided. n Generous vacation, sick leave and administrative leave package. n R.I.T.A. has an elective tax-deferred Deferred Compensation Plan and Flexible Account Plan (employee paid).

5 THE CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN AREA Greater Cleveland, a nine county metropolitan area with a population of more than five million, boasts world-class cultural institutions, internationally acclaimed educational and health care institutions, major league sports teams, state-of-the-art cultural attractions, unique ethnic neighborhoods, exceptional shopping and dining experiences and nightlife. The Cleveland metropolitan area, bordering Lake Erie, is surrounded by a 60 mile string of parks and greenbelts known as the Emerald Necklace and has been named one of the 10 safest and most culturally fascinating cities to visit in the nation. Residents enjoy a lower average monthly mortgage payment than residents in 18 other leading major metropolitan areas in the nation. The greater Cleveland area has a strong, diversified economy with 12 Fortune 500 firms headquartered there. Discover more about the Cleveland area at: HOW TO APPLY For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact: Clark Wurzberger, Senior Vice President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at (530) (Pacific Time); cwurzberger@mercergroupinc.com If interested in applying, please electronically submit a cover letter (explaining why you feel you are a good fit for the position), resume and salary history by close of business January 21, The Mercer Group, Inc. P.O. Box 546 Weimar, California (530) (Pacific Time) Fax (530) TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE 1/21/13 Closing Date for Resumes R.I.T.A. IS COMMITTED TO WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 1/21 to 1/25 Review and Screening of Resumes 1/25 to 2/4 Interviews and Completion of Supplemental Questionnaire by the More Qualified Candidates 2/11 to 2/15 Board Screening of Semi-Finalists 2/21 Board interviews of Finalists in Brecksville, Ohio As soon as possible As soon as possible Completion of Reference Checks/Possible Second Board Interview Selection of Executive Director