Expeditors International
Director of Corporate Training
Position Specification
 
 
The Opportunity
 
Expeditors International, a rapidly growing global logistics company, is
conducting a recruitment for its first Director of Corporate Training.
Reporting to the President & Chief Operating Officer, the Director will
be charged with leading the development and implementation of a
worldwide training infrastructure that ensures that Expeditors' staff is
the most highly trained and competent workforce in the global logistics
industry. 
 
 
The Organization
 
Founded in 1979 and taken public in 1984, Expeditors is a global
logistics company that provides air and ocean freight forwarding, vendor
consolidation, customs clearance, marine insurance, distribution, and
other value-added international logistics services. Headquartered in
Seattle, Washington, the company has over 2,500 employees and operates
113 branch offices on six continents that are linked into a seamless
worldwide network through an integrated information management system.
The company has delivered strong, consistent growth in revenue,
earnings, and stockholder value throughout its 18-year history. 1996
revenue was $730 million. Detailed information about Expeditors is
available on the Internet at http://www.expd.com.
 
 
Major Stakeholders
 
The Director of Corporate Training will work in a matrix environment of
mutual support and cooperation with primary accountability for the
development and implementation of a worldwide training infrastructure.
His/her most significant internal customers will be geographic Branch
Managers who have line accountability for the financial performance of
their individual branches; geographic Branch Training Coordinators who
have comprehensive responsibility for training at their respective
branches (these are existing and ongoing positions); Product Managers
who have worldwide accountability for the development and delivery of
individual products; and Product Training Coordinators who have
responsibility for worldwide training on their specific products (these
are existing and ongoing positions). In addition, the Director will work
closely with other corporate directors, executive management, and
training vendors.
 
 
Immediate Challenges/Responsibilities
 
· Developing strong working relationships with all stakeholders based on
mutual benefit, open communication, teamwork, and fact-based decision
making.
 
· Working in hands-on operating positions for several weeks to gain an
understanding of, and empathy for, Expeditors' employees, customers,
products, processes, and environment.
 
· Leading a stakeholder team(s) in developing and implementing a clearly
phased, long-term, corporate-wide strategic training plan and corporate
university. The plan should include or address the following:
 
1) Scope definition by job title/class.
 
2) Identification of core competencies and certifications for included
job titles/classes.
 
3) Development of curriculum and measurement system(s) necessary to
ensure that employees possess required competencies and certifications.
 
4) Identification of acceptable existing courses and
development/purchase of additional necessary courses.
 
5) An accurate, detailed budget.
 
6) Quantified and qualitative cost/benefit analyses that ensure and
demonstrate the financial validity of all training.
 
7) Project plans for all Phase I objectives that clearly define tasks,
deliverables, individual accountabilities, timelines, and budgets.
 
· Leading a stakeholder team(s) in defining training positions and
establishing programs for trainer selection and development that satisfy
quality objectives and objectives that trainers come from, report to,
and return to, operational positions on maximum 24-month rotations.
 
· Leading a stakeholder team(s) in identifying and implementing
corporate standards for training delivery systems and for the "look and
feel" of all training materials.
 
· Supporting branch openings and business initiatives with appropriate
training.
 
· Administering the corporate training budget.
 
 
Selection Criteria
 
The Director of Corporate Training will have at least five to ten years
of progressively responsible training and leadership experience in a
worldwide company and an undergraduate degree.
 
Desirable, proven training-related skills and work experience include
the following:
 
· The ability to identify, quantify, and communicate the benefits of
training programs in terms of potential participants' interests and in a
manner that elicits organizational participation.
 
· Previous success leading the development and operation of a corporate
university.
 
· Previous success leading -- and following in -- matrix teams and
organizations.
 
· Working knowledge of adult learning principles and related training
techniques.
 
· Working knowledge of learning organizations and instructional
technology including feedback mechanisms, needs analysis, program
design, instructional materials development, methods and media
development, PC-based learning, training delivery, evaluation, and
trainer training. 
 
· Working knowledge of international and multi-cultural training issues
including developing and delivering English language programs for
multiple nationalities, training people from diverse cultures to achieve
together, and training people for international assignments.
 
· Working knowledge of the following types of training: technical
skills; information systems; sales, marketing and customer service; 
management skills; total quality management; and career and succession
planning.
 
· Strong platform skills.
 
· The ability to develop a training culture of continuous quality
improvement.
 
· Strong project management and administration skills.
 
· Strong budget development and management skills.
 
· Working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation PC
applications.
 
Desirable, proven personal skills and characteristics include the
following:
 
· Common sense and sound, pragmatic judgment.
 
· The ability to work with minimum supervision (characterized by
initiating work independently; establishing cooperative, effective
working relationships with others; completing goals on time and within
budget at desired quality levels; and being personally accountable for
results).
 
· Strong interpersonal and communication skills (characterized by
executive presence; respect for others; an open mind; good listening
skills; good writing, speaking, and visual presentation skills; and
ability to think on his/her feet).
 
· Decisiveness.
 
· Willingness to work hands-on in a very lean, very profit-focused
organization.
 
· Emotional maturity with low ego needs.
 
· Creativity.
 
· Strong drive to succeed, high energy, and mental and physical stamina.
 
Overall, the Director of Corporate Training's experience, personal
characteristics, and educational background must demonstrate an ability
to succeed in all responsibilities.
 
 
Location
 
This position is located at Expeditors' corporate headquarters in
Seattle, Washington.
 
 
Travel
 
The Director of Corporate Training should expect 50% domestic and
international travel.
 
 
Compensation & Benefits
 
The compensation package for this position includes a hiring salary
range of US$72,000 to US$84,000 per year, 15% bonus potential, and stock
options. Benefits include 100% paid medical, dental, and vision
insurance for employees and dependents; life insurance, long-term
disability insurance; a 401(k) plan; an employee stock purchase plan;
and reimbursement for pre-approved educational expenses.
 
 
To Apply
 
Please FAX a resume that outlines your chronological work history,
responsibilities, and relevant professional accomplishments to:
 
SveiHagel & Company
Executive Search Consultants
P.O. Box 16484
Seattle, WA  98116
ATTN: Training Director Search
 
Fax: 206/935-5937
Phone: 206/938-5686
 
Resumes will be considered until the position is filled.
 
Persons of color, persons of disability, and women are strongly
encouraged to apply.
 
(Note: SveiHagel & Co. generally finds that hiring managers respond best
to achievement-based, chronological resumes. For candidates seeking
assistance with their presentations, several strong examples of
achievement-based, chronological resumes can be found in Donald Asher's,
The Overnight Resume, published by Ten Speed Press.)