Executive Director

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, Executive Director.

Purpose of the Position

The overall purpose of this position is to ensure that the IEEE Foundation, IEEE’s philanthropic partner, serves as a strong and effective partner to IEEE. This role encompasses both the strategic and operational aspects of advancing the Foundation’s vision, mission and core values. The Executive Director leads the design and implementation of strategies, policies, programs, and practices that advance the work of the IEEE Foundation to be the heart of charitable giving at IEEE, while ensuring that day-to-day operations are responsive, efficient, and effective across all functional areas.

The IEEE Foundation Executive Director is the primary point of contact for the IEEE Foundation President and the Board of Directors. In this capacity, the Executive Director serves as a strategic partner to the Board in shaping and advancing the Foundation’s direction; leads execution of the Foundation’s priorities, including engaging volunteer leadership and donors; communicates effectively with volunteer stakeholders; and acts as the chief liaison to other IEEE staff on both strategic and operational matters.

The IEEE Foundation Executive Director oversees the management and growth of the Foundation’s approximately $100 million asset base, ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability and impact. Under this leadership, the Foundation maintains a robust fundraising engine that grows donor contributions to IEEE public-imperative activities at a rate sufficient to increase the impact and sustain programs.

The IEEE Foundation Executive Director reports jointly to the IEEE Executive Director and the IEEE Foundation Board of Directors. This role manages three direct reports, along with an overall Foundation staff of 12 and at least 2 matrixed team members. The role and team sit within IEEE’s Corporate Activities department and have a matrixed reporting relationship to the Chief Governance Officer.

Key Priorities and Success Measures

The Executive Director will inherit a respected Foundation with a strong incumbent legacy, a meaningful asset base, a committed Board, and an important mandate as IEEE’s philanthropic partner. Over the first 12–24 months, the Executive Director will be expected to move the Foundation from successful stewardship to a more proactive phase of growth, visibility, and global philanthropic engagement. Success will require sharpening the Foundation’s fundraising strategy, strengthening its role as IEEE’s philanthropic partner, activating the Board and key stakeholders as ambassadors, and building the relationships, infrastructure, and case for support needed to expand long-term impact.

Key priorities include

• Accelerate the growth of the IEEE Foundation’s fundraising performance beyond its current baseline, strengthening both the scale and sustainability of philanthropic support.
• Advance a more proactive, relationship-driven fundraising model, with an increased focus on major and principal gifts, improved donor conversion, and enhanced stewardship practices.
• Elevate the visibility and positioning of the IEEE Foundation within IEEE and among external stakeholders, strengthening awareness of its mission, programs, and impact.
• Identify and deepen engagement with a focused set of high-impact partners across IEEE and externally, prioritizing a small number of strategic relationships that can scale fundraising and program outcomes.
• Strengthen the engagement and effectiveness of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, particularly in areas of fundraising, donor cultivation, and ambassadorial leadership.
• Expand the Foundation’s global fundraising capabilities, including building the infrastructure, partnerships, and approaches necessary to support philanthropic growth across multiple geographies.

Key Responsibilities

The following responsibilities reflect the breadth of leadership required to strengthen the Foundation’s performance, elevate its visibility, and expand its philanthropic impact in support of IEEE’s public-imperative mission.

Strategic Leadership and Board Partnership

• Partner with the IEEE Foundation Board to shape and advance the Foundation’s mission, vision, and long-term strategic priorities and plans.
• Establish and monitor key performance metrics to assess organizational effectiveness and impact.
• Provide strategic guidance on the alignment and advancement of IEEE public imperative activities (PIA) with the IEEE Foundation mission. Foster close collaboration between volunteer leadership and staff to ensure shared ownership of priorities and outcomes.

Fundraising and Outreach

• Lead a multifaceted (annual, mid-level, major, principal and planned giving) fundraising strategy to grow and diversify philanthropic support, with annual expectations of $8-12 million.
• Set the direction for the development of innovative donor-centric strategies and content to elevate the Foundation’s visibility, strengthen its value proposition, and drive engagement.
• Drive the continued evolution of the Foundation’s fundraising approach toward a more proactive, strategic, and metrics-driven model, emphasizing relationship development, targeted outreach, and measurable outcomes.

Operational and Organizational Leadership

• Provide day-to-day leadership of the IEEE Foundation, ensuring effective operations across all functional areas.
• Oversee all human resources-related activities, including performance management, professional development, and team effectiveness.
• Lead and support a high-performing team within a collaborative, matrixed organizational environment.

Programs and Impact Oversight

• Partner with volunteers and IEEE stakeholders to identify and advance high-impact programs aligned with both IEEE and IEEE Foundation priorities.
• Oversee the delivery of an effective educational program designed to maximize the understanding and impact of the IEEE Foundation Board of Directors and our 60+ IEEE Program partners.
• Translate Foundation-supported programs into clear, compelling funding opportunities that align with donor interests and strategic priorities.

Financial Stewardship and Risk Management

• Lead budget development, financial forecasting, and overall fiscal oversight for the IEEE Development Office and the IEEE Foundation Operations.
• Oversee all financial activities related to subsidiary entities and affiliated initiatives.
• Engage with legal counsel, tax advisors and external advisors to ensure regulatory compliance and sound governance practices.

Governance and Institutional Effectiveness

• Support the efficient and compliant operations of the IEEE Foundation Board of Directors and its committees through strong governance documentation and practices.
• Strengthen board engagement through orientation, development, and ongoing collaboration with volunteer leadership.
• Engage and support Board members as effective ambassadors and fundraising partners, including identifying and leveraging their networks, building capability in donor engagement, and fostering a culture of shared accountability for philanthropic outcomes.

External Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent the IEEE Foundation across a broad network of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and institutional partners.
• Build and sustain relationships with IEEE leadership, members, and organizational units to advance shared priorities.
• Partner effectively with IEEE leadership and marketing functions to ensure alignment of messaging and maximize the reach and influence of Foundation initiatives.

Officer Role and Additional Responsibilities

• Serve as an officer of the IEEE Foundation in the capacity of Assistant Secretary.
• Support organizational priorities through additional responsibilities aligned with the Foundation’s mission and goals

The Candidate

The IEEE Foundation seeks a strategic, globally minded, and mission-driven executive to serve as its next Executive Director. This individual will bring the leadership presence, judgment, and credibility to advance a complex philanthropic organization operating at the intersection of technology, volunteer engagement, and social impact. The successful candidate will be a compelling ambassador and relationship builder, capable of engaging donors, volunteer leaders, and institutional stakeholders in support of the Foundation’s mission and long-term growth.

The ideal candidate will bring many of the following experiences and qualifications:

• A minimum of fifteen years of demonstrated senior leadership experience within nonprofit, philanthropic, association, or similarly complex, mission-driven organizations, including oversight of teams, operations, and strategic initiatives.
• Proven ability to collaborate with and influence stakeholders across a matrixed organization, including individuals outside of direct reporting relationships.
• Significant experience working with Boards of Directors and volunteer committees, with the ability to support governance, drive alignment, and achieve high-impact outcomes.
• Demonstrated success leading and executing fundraising strategies, including major gifts and broader development programs; familiarity with global philanthropy and capital campaigns is highly desirable.
• Strong financial and operational acumen, including knowledge of accounting principles, investments, budgeting, forecasting, and nonprofit regulatory frameworks, including U.S. IRS requirements and state registration requirements.

Compensation

• The estimated base compensation range is $225,000 - $250,000. IEEE provides a comprehensive benefits package for the Executive Director of the Foundation.

Applications & Nominations

• Applications should include a resume/CV to: ***email_hidden***.

SE: 510796002