Executive Director

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The chief executive officer, Executive Director, of the Texas Racing Commission implements, manages, and enforces regulations regarding pari-mutuel horse racing in Texas. The Executive Director exercises strict control and close supervision over all aspects of pari-mutuel racing including licensing, operation of racetracks, conduct of races, veterinary practices, drug testing, and pari-mutuel wagering. Through leadership and management directives, the Executive Director ensures integrity, security, safety, and fairness in pari-mutuel racing and is responsible for the administration of all laws and regulations as provided under the Texas Racing Act.

The Executive Director serves at the will of the nine-member Commission.

• Interprets, implements, and enforces Texas Racing Act, rules, and orders of the Commission in accordance with Commission policy.
• Develops recommendations for rules and policies consistent with Commission expressions and applicable law.
• Initiates consistent disciplinary actions against licensees, directly and through racetrack personnel.
• Manages state and federal litigation through General Counsel and coordination with the Office of the Attorney General.
• Develops agency mission, philosophy, goals, and overall strategic plan for Commission approval, meeting critical deadlines.
• Prepares all required retrospective reports and ensures compliance with applicable statutes and mandates.
• Oversees all aspects of the administrative functioning of the agency.
• Directs preparation of the biennial Legislative Appropriation Request for Commission approval, meeting critical deadlines.
• Implements agency programs in accordance with operating budget based on the Legislative Appropriation Request.
• Monitors spending to ensure efficient use of available resources to maintain agency operations at levels consistent with strategic plan.
• Frequently communicates with commissioners on pertinent agency business.
• Develops staff recommendations as appropriate or requested by the Commission.
• Ensures presentation of relevant information to Commissioners to foster sound policy making.
• Responds promptly to requests and supports Commission actions in a positive manner.
• Represents the agency before Legislature, other governmental bodies, and private organizations in an open, honest, ethical, and professional manner. Serves as spokesperson for the public and the media communicating appropriately and accurately.
• Promotes professional working relationships with partner agencies and industry representative organizations.
• Provides leadership to the agency and racing industry. Analyzes industry changes and applicable law and recommends and/or implements appropriate responses.
• Develops creative and innovative responses to agency and industry issues to achieve agency goals and objectives.
• Effectively handles crises.

• Four (4) years of experience in agency executive management, management in a state legislative office, or private sector management in a field related to the Texas Racing Commission.
• Working knowledge of the Texas legislative and state budget processes.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university preferred. Relevant work experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

• Demonstrated ability to initiate, organize, coordinate, manage, review, and evaluate overall operations of an agency.
• Knowledge of state agency procedures, operations, and regulations, with knowledge of Texas state government processes preferred.
• Thorough understanding of legislation and the legislative committee processes.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Availability to travel to meetings at state office buildings, racetracks, and conferences throughout the state.
• Ability to work “on-call”.
• Knowledge of pari-mutuel industry is preferred.
• Knowledge or experience with racing animal health and safety preferred.
• Fully functional in all mobile electronic communication, standard office software, and basics of cyber security.
• Ability to manage…