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The Organization

About IEEE and IEEE Foundation

Imagine yourself leading at the center of global innovation and global impact. 

At the IEEE Foundation, we sit at the intersection of cutting-edge technological innovation and global social good. The ideas we fund turn technical breakthroughs into real-world lifelines-from deploying emergency communications in disaster zones to expanding STEM education for underserved youth. Backed by a $100 million asset base and powered by over half a million volunteer hours, we are looking for a visionary Executive Director to scale our impact from successful stewardship to proactive, global growth.

IEEE: Advancing Technology for Humanity 

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity - and a strategic force shaping the future of technology across 190+ countries. For an executive, this is a rare environment: a global platform with unmatched credibility, a deeply engaged membership, and the ability to influence how emerging technologies evolve and serve society. IEEE's community of engineers, researchers, and technologists drives progress in fields like AI, computing, sustainability, and next generation infrastructure. Its standards, publications, and convening power shape industries and inform policy worldwide.

IEEE Foundation: Where Philanthropy and Innovation Collide  

Complementing and amplifying IEEE's mission is the IEEE Foundation, the organization's philanthropic partner and a 501(c)(3) public charity. The IEEE Foundation plays a vital role in mobilizing charitable support to advance IEEE's highest-impact initiatives, particularly those at the intersection of technology and social good. As the philanthropic partner to IEEE, the Foundation translates the values of its members and donors into meaningful, measurable impact-connecting ideas, resources, and expertise to initiatives that address global challenges.

The IEEE Foundation serves as a bridge between technical innovation and philanthropic investment, ensuring that high potential ideas have the resources and guidance to scale. With this mission, the Foundation:

Mobilizes charitable support to advance initiatives where technology and social good intersect.

Connects ideas, resources, and expertise to deliver measurable, mission aligned impact.

Funds and strengthens programs in STEM education, disaster response technology, sustainable development, and technology access.

Engages donors, corporations, and partners to expand the reach of IEEE's global community of innovators and volunteers.

Together, IEEE and the IEEE Foundation ensure that world class technical expertise is matched with the philanthropic support required to turn ideas into action-and action into lasting, global impact.

Vision, Mission, and Values

The IEEE Foundation is guided by a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to aligning philanthropy with the aspirations of its community.

Vision- To be the heart of IEEE charitable giving and philanthropy.

Mission- To expand the IEEE charitable body of work by inspiring philanthropic engagement that ignites a donor's innermost interests and values.

In pursuit of this mission, the Foundation operates with a set of core values that inform its approach to leadership, partnership, and impact:

Integrity - Acting ethically and respectfully in every relationship, with a commitment to transparency, trust, and accountability.

Excellence - Striving to deliver the highest quality outcomes, with focus, discipline, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Collaboration - Fostering an inclusive and engaging global community, enabling individuals and organizations to invest in technology solutions that benefit humanity.

Stewardship - Exercising thoughtful and responsible management of resources, advancing participation in the technical profession, and shaping a more impactful and sustainable future.

A Platform for Global Impact

With an asset base of approximately $100 million and a growing philanthropic platform, the IEEE Foundation is positioned to expand its impact and deepen its role as a strategic partner within IEEE. The Foundation supports a portfolio of more than 290 funds and numerous programs worldwide, enabling targeted investment in initiatives that align with IEEE's priorities and the passions of its donors.

As IEEE and the IEEE Foundation look to the future, both organizations are uniquely positioned to harness the power of technology, philanthropy, and global collaboration to address critical challenges and create lasting change. The next IEEE Foundation Executive Director will play a central role in advancing this vision-strengthening the connection between IEEE's technical excellence and the philanthropic resources needed to extend its reach and impact across the globe.

The Opportunity

Position- Executive Director, IEEE Foundation

Location- Piscataway, NJ

Website: https://www.ieee.org

                 https://www.ieeefoundation.org/

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 Executive Director leads the team independently. The role and team sit within IEEE's Corporate Activities department and have a matrixed reporting relationship to the Chief Governance Officer. The IEEE Foundation Executive Director is authorized to represent the IEEE Foundation externally and to negotiate and execute gift agreements, grant agreements, delegation of expenditure authority agreements, and other contracts. 

This role operates within a highly matrixed and globally distributed environment, requiring close partnership with volunteer leadership, IEEE staff, and a diverse set of external stakeholders. The Executive Director must navigate a complex governance structure with multiple decision-making bodies, influencing outcomes without direct authority and fostering alignment across organizational, cultural, and geographic boundaries. The IEEE Foundation is at a pivotal moment in its evolution, with the opportunity to build on a strong foundation and accelerate its next phase of growth, impact, and global engagement

Key Priorities and Success Measures

The next 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. At the same time, the Foundation is entering a crucial period in which philanthropy must play a more visible, strategic, and globally relevant role in advancing IEEE's public-imperative work.

Success in this role will require more than operational stewardship. The Executive Director must help the Foundation move from a primarily responsive fundraising and fund-management model toward a more proactive, relationship-driven, and impact-oriented philanthropy strategy. This includes strengthening the Foundation's role as a trusted center of excellence for charitable giving within IEEE; translating IEEE's technical, educational, humanitarian, and social impact programs into compelling philanthropic opportunities; and engaging donors, volunteers, IEEE leaders, and external partners around a clearer and more powerful case for support.

Given IEEE's global reach, complex volunteer-driven governance model, and highly matrixed operating environment, the Executive Director must be an exceptional relationship builder, communicator, and influencer. The role will require frequent and thoughtful engagement with the Foundation Board, IEEE leadership, internal program partners, members, donors, and stakeholders across cultures and geographies. The Executive Director will also need to elevate the visibility of the Foundation's impact, helping IEEE colleagues and external audiences better understand how philanthropy advances IEEE's mission and expands its public benefit.

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 Executive Director's responsibilities span strategic leadership, fundraising growth, Board partnership, organizational management, program impact, financial stewardship, governance, and external engagement. Given the Foundation's role as IEEE's philanthropic partner, the position requires a leader who can balance enterprise-level strategy with operational discipline, while building trust and alignment across a complex global network of volunteers, staff, donors, members, and institutional partners. 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.

Facilitate periodic strategic reviews to ensure continued alignment with IEEE and evolving philanthropic opportunities.

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. Plan for and execute IEEE-wide campaigns as determined in partnership with the IEEE Board.

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.

Ensure the effective implementation of donor stewardship and recognition programs, supported by strong systems and processes to cultivate and steward positive relationships with prospects, donors, and volunteers.

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.

Develop and position compelling philanthropic opportunities by packaging programs and initiatives in ways that resonate with donor interests and demonstrate clear impact.

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.

Establish clear roles, priorities, and expectations to enable efficient execution and accountability.

Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and mission alignment across staff and stakeholders.

Programs and I...