Chief Executive Officer
Position: Chief Executive Officer
Location: New York, NY
Reporting Relationship: Board of Directors
Website: https://ats.org/
Purpose of the Position
The American Technion Society (ATS) seeks an inspirational, futureโfocused, and globally minded leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer. This is a rare opportunity to helm one of the most influential and successful philanthropic organizations supporting higher education, science, and technology in Israel and around the world. The CEO will shape the next era of ATSโs national presence, philanthropic leadership, and strategic partnership with the Technion, one of the worldโs foremost scientific research universities and the backbone of Israelโs innovation ecosystem.
The CEO will serve as ATSโs chief strategist, ambassador, and organizational architect, responsible for articulating a powerful vision that inspires donors, volunteer leaders, staff, academics, and global partners. In close collaboration with Technion leadership, the CEO will translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities that fuel breakthrough research, advance technological innovation, and elevate Israelโs global standing. This leader will ensure that ATS remains indispensable to the Technionโs continued ascent as a worldโclass hub of science, engineering, medicine, and entrepreneurship. The next CEO of the American Technion Society will be responsible for guiding ATS through a critical period of transformation, driving thoughtful change in strategy, culture, and operations to ensure longโterm relevance, impact, and sustainability amid a rapidly evolving philanthropic and global landscape.
At a time of rapid technological disruption, geopolitical complexity, and growing demand for scientific solutions, the CEO will guide ATS in expanding its reach, deepening its impact, and cultivating the next generation of supporters and influencers. The role requires a sophisticated and missionโdriven executive who can lead a national organization, mobilize transformational investment, and strengthen ATSโs role as the premier connection between American philanthropy and Israeli innovation. At this pivotal moment, the CEO will be motivated not only by philanthropic leadership, but by the opportunity to help sustain Israelโs security, resilience, and future through the power of science, innovation, and inclusive excellence.
ATS operates in a philanthropic and public environment of heightened complexity. The next CEO will lead an organization navigating a transformed landscape in which donor sentiment is more intense. This leader must be able to sustain and grow philanthropic support, engage donors across a spectrum of perspectives, and articulate ATS's mission with clarity, conviction, and sensitivity. The CEO will steward a highly credible and respected institution into its next chapter, driving organizational excellence, expanding philanthropic capacity, championing crossโborder collaboration, and ensuring the ATS continues to play a vital role in shaping technological progress, economic resilience, and global good through its partnership with the Technion.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership and Organizational Vision
- Set and articulate a compelling longโterm vision for ATS that reflects its mission, strategic objectives, scale, and ambition as the principal philanthropic gateway to the Technion in the United States.
- Partner with the Board and senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into clear goals, measurable outcomes, and executable plans that drive sustained growth and impact.
- Anticipate emerging trends in philanthropy, higher education, science, and geopolitics, and adapt organizational strategy to ensure ATSโs continued relevance and leadership.
- Lead the organization through periods of growth, modernization, and change with clarity, discipline, and confidence, balancing innovation with institutional continuity.
- Ensure that ATS operates with a longโterm perspective, focused on durability, scalability, and mission impact over the coming decade.
- Lead the American Technion Society through a period of organizational evolution, addressing challenges including donor concentration, changing philanthropic behaviors, geopolitical complexity, and increased competition for charitable attention.
ATSโTechnion Partnership and Alignment
- Serve as a trusted partner to Technion leadership, fostering a close, collaborative, and transparent relationship grounded in shared purpose and mutual respect.
- Position ATS as the Technionโs primary point of entry in the United States, ensuring seamless engagement with donors, partners, and stakeholders.
- Align ATS fundraising priorities and messaging with the Technionโs academic, research, and institutional objectives, translating complex needs into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
- Facilitate meaningful engagement between Technion faculty and American supporters, strengthening donor confidence and deepening understanding of the universityโs impact.
- Ensure consistent communication and alignment across ATS and Technion leadership to support longโterm institutional success.
Fundraising and Revenue Generation
- Serve as FundraiserโinโChief, leading the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major, principal, and transformational gifts.
- Build trusted, longโterm relationships with major donors โ individuals, families, and foundations โ grounded in credibility, curiosity, and purpose.
- Partner closely with the Chief Development Officer to strengthen ATSโs fundraising infrastructure, pipeline discipline, and portfolio strategy.
- Scale ATS beyond its current donor base by diversifying fundraising strategies, expanding national reach, and strengthening pipelines for major, midโlevel, and emerging supporters.
- Engage and activate nextโgeneration philanthropists, developing new engagement models that resonate with younger donors and families while maintaining strong relationships with longโstanding supporters.
- Communicate a clear and compelling case for investment that answers donorsโ core questions about urgency, impact, and opportunity.
External Relations, Advocacy and Organizational Visibility
- Serve as the primary public representative and spokesperson for ATS, elevating its national presence and reputation.
- Strengthen relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, communal partners, and volunteer leaders across the United States and internationally.
- Position ATS as a trusted access point to worldโclass science, technology, and innovation emerging from Israel and the Technion.
- Represent ATS with confidence and sophistication in public forums, donor gatherings, and strategic convenings.
- Broaden and deepen awareness of the Technionโs role in addressing global challenges through science and technology.
Board Partnership and Governance
- Work in close partnership with the Board of Directors to advance ATSโs mission, strategy, and fiduciary responsibilities.
- Keep the Board wellโinformed on organizational performance, opportunities, and risks, enabling sound decisionโmaking and strategic oversight.
- Support the development and engagement of Board members as ambassadors, advisors, and philanthropic leaders.
- Collaborate with Board leadership on governance best practices, succession planning, and longโterm organizational health.
- Foster a relationship with the Board characterized by trust, transparency, and shared accountability.
Organizational Management and Team Leadership
- Provide overall executive leadership of ATS, overseeing core functions including Development, Marketing and Communications, Finance, Human Resources, and Donor Relations.
- Build, inspire, and retain a highโperforming senior leadership team capable of executing strategy at scale.
- Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability across the organization while fostering collaboration and shared ownership of results.
- Ensure strong financial management, operational discipline, and scalable systems to support longโterm growth.
- Cultivate a culture shared by board members and staff that is missionโdriven, inclusive, professional, and performanceโoriented, reflecting ATSโs values and aspirations.
The Candidate
Experience and Professional Qualifications
The American Technion Society seeks a visionary, missionโdriven, and accomplished executive who brings the stature, judgment, and energy to serve as both FundraiserโinโChief and chief ambassador for one of the worldโs leading engines of scientific innovation. The ideal candidate is an inspiring and credible chief executive, equally adept at setting longโterm strategies and driving disciplined execution, who can steward a highly respected national organization while positioning it for sustained growth, modernization, and expanded global impact. This leader will have a demonstrated record of senior leadership within complex organizations, as well as the ability to mobilize significant philanthropic investment, engage existing and prospective donors, and galvanize boards, donors, staff, and partners around a compelling shared vision.
The successful candidate will be a highly effective external leader, someone donors want to spend time with, brings intellectual curiosity, strong communication skills, and genuine passion for the Technionโs mission and impact. As ATSโs most visible representative, the CEO will articulate the urgency, relevance, and global significance of the Technionโs work and translate that story into meaningful engagement with donors, volunteer leaders, academic partners, and communal stakeholders. This individual will operate comfortably in both U.S. and international contexts and will build a close, trusted, and highly collaborative relationship with Technion leadership and faculty, ensuring alignment between ATS priorities and the Technionโs academic, research, and institutional goals.
While the role is fundamentally outwardโfacing, the next CEO must also bring demonstrated organizational and operational leadership. The ideal candidate has experience building highโperforming teams, strengthening systems and infrastructure, and fostering a culture of accountability, excellence, and collaboration. In close partnership with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team, this person will guide ATS through continued growth and evolution, ensuring financial discipline, organizational depth, and longโterm sustainability.
At their core, the next CEO of the American Technion Society will be a valuesโdriven and forwardโlooking leader, one who honors ATSโs legacy while confidently leading it into the future. With executive presence, humility, and a collaborative leadership style, this individual will inspire trust, align diverse stakeholders, and ensure that ATS remains the indispensable gateway between American philanthropy and the Technion, advancing innovation, strengthening Israel, and improving lives around the world.
Key Experiences and Qualifications
- A minimum of fifteen years of progressive senior leadership experience within complex nonprofit, philanthropic, academic, scientific, or missionโdriven organizations, with demonstrated responsibility for enterpriseโlevel outcomes.
- Proven success as a senior fundraising leader, including a sustained track record of securing major, principal, and transformational gifts from highโnetโworth and ultraโhighโnetโworth individuals and families.
- Demonstrated ability to personally cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, with the presence, credibility, and commitment to build enduring philanthropic relationships.
- Experience serving as an organizationโs senior ambassador or chief external representative, engaging confidently with donors, volunteer leaders, academic partners, and publicโfacing stakeholders.
- A record of working closely with a governing board or comparable body on strategy, governance, and accountability, with an appreciation for effective boardโexecutive partnership.
- Demonstrated success building, leading, and mentoring highโperforming leadership teams while strengthening organizational systems, processes, and infrastructure.
- Experience overseeing multifaceted operations, including finance, development, communications, and human resources, with a commitment to fiscal discipline and institutional sustainability.
- Competence operating in international or crossโborder contexts, with the judgment and cultural awareness required to navigate complex and sophisticated stakeholder environments.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through periods of institutional or reputational complexity, including navigating donor relations, public discourse, and stakeholder engagement in politically or emotionally charged environments.
- Intellectual curiosity and a working understanding of science, technology, innovation, or researchโdriven organizations, with the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling narratives is helpful.
- A bachelorโs degree is required; advanced academic preparation or equivalent experience is preferred.
Personal Attributes
- A deep commitment to advancing scientific excellence, innovation, and Israelโs economic and existential security through philanthropy, coupled with a clear sense of purpose that inspires trust, loyalty, and collective action.
- The ability to think expansively and analytically, synthesizing complex information, anticipating global trends, and translating ambitious ideas into clear, longโterm strategies.
- Exceptional emotional intelligence and sound judgment, enabling the cultivation of authentic, enduring relationships with donors, academic leaders, institutional partners, staff, and diverse communities across the United States and Israel.
- Cultural fluency and a global perspective, operating effectively across international and crossโcultural contexts with diplomacy, curiosity, and respect, and reinforcing ATSโs role as a vital bridge between American philanthropy and Israeli innovation.
- An appreciation for Israelโs complexity and an understanding of the Technionโs unique role in advancing national resilience, innovation, and inclusive excellence.
- The maturity to engage donors, staff, and partners who hold a ran