Executive Director Position Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Executive Director

Foundation for Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)

Updated April 25, 2019 The Foundation for Earth Science Information Partners (dba ESIP) is looking for a creative thinker with strong leadership skills to join a small team of Earth science data community change-makers to lead planning and implementation of activities for our third decade. Under the direction and guidance of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and managing all aspects of the organization, while motivating staff, volunteers and partner organizations to make Earth science data matter!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership

• In collaboration with the Board of Directors, develop organizational vision, mission and strategic plans to guide the ESIP’s work;

• Identify opportunities to advance ESIP’s mission; provide analysis of opportunities and challenges;

• Act as the key spokesperson for the organization, including giving speeches, talks, workshops, and presentations at appropriate conferences and meetings around the world;

• Develop and maintain partnerships and strategic relationships with organizations, donors, governments;

• Demonstrate the highest standards of integrity, inclusiveness and transparency.

Operations

• Develop operational plans in support of ESIP’s strategic plans;

• Oversee the efficient and effective operation of the organization;

• Manage human, financial and other resources to best realize organizational objectives;

• Ensure the organization’s operations and policies are in compliance with all applicable laws, including maintaining registration, annual tax filings, labor law compliance;

• Provide support to the Board of Directors, including the preparation and distribution of meeting agendas and minutes, regular communications and updates, preparation of materials for marketing and outreach, and arranging meeting logistics.

• Manage day to day finances, such as budget development and expenditures, banking, smooth completion of the annual audit, ensuring accurate bookkeeping and accounting procedures.

Programming and services

• Oversee the implementation of ongoing ESIP programs, such as the ESIP Meetings;

• Develop projects and programs that strengthen ESIP’s mission and global network, especially with respect to emerging strategic partnerships;

• Oversee organizational partnership development, requirements, and relations;

• Conduct partnership satisfaction assessments and adjust services and offerings for partners to ensure ongoing positive relations with community;

• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s services and programs and monitor progress;

Business Planning and Fundraising

• In collaboration with the Board of Directors, develop a comprehensive fundraising plan for the organization;

• Cultivate strategic and mutually beneficial relationships with foundations, donors, corporations and other partners as part of the Earth Science Data Industry Consortium;

• Solicit sponsorship for the annual ESIP Meetings and other ESIP events;

• Develop programs, projects and campaigns that contribute to the ongoing financial health of the organization.

• Manages grants and contracts, and negotiates agreements with Federal government and other sponsors in support of the ESIP’s mission; monitors progress of grants; and fulfills reporting requirements related to all grants;

ESIP staff use a role-based system, Holacracy, for governance. All roles that are filled by the current Executive Director are here: https://app.glassfrog.com/people/58835

Core Competencies

Additionally, the Executive Director should demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible in a rapidly evolving field while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.

• Innovation: Ability to think outside of the box, bring new ideas and approaches to problem solving that are win-win for all involved.

• Transparency and Ethics: Demonstrate a commitment to transparency of processes and activities; ensure that behavior of all affiliated with the organization meets high ethical standards and aligns with ESIP’s values.

• Collaboration: Establish and maintain positive working relationships, both internally and externally, and work in partnership with other organizations and agencies to realize goals.

• Mission Focus: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of global education and the ways that open education can support more effective and inclusive educational provision. make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.

• Teamwork and Inclusiveness: Foster a strong team approach to setting and meeting goals, resolving problems, and making decisions. Ensure that ESIP’s work is inclusive of our members and audiences and supports diversity, gender equality and international balance.

• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.

• Organize: Set priorities, monitor progress towards goals, and assess impact of activities.

• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.

• Strategic thinking: Assess options and actions based on trends and conditions in global educational environments and the vision and values of the organization. Align activities and plans to these opportunities.

Education and/or Experience

Advanced degree preferred, with at least 5 years leadership experience in a nonprofit, academic or business setting.

Travel

The Executive Director must be able to travel to meet with potential partners and sponsors, and to attend conferences, training and other events that may be needed to acquire and maintain proficiency in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.

Work Environment

Access to a major transportation hub and robust telecommunications capabilities are essential.

About ESIP

The Foundation for Earth Science Information Partners (dba ESIP) (esipfed.org)is a non-profit 501(c)(3) scientific and education organization created to support research networks and communities that provide the information systems backbone for the dissemination and use of Earth science information. Its primary responsibility is to provide executive support to the Earth science community for these ends. ESIP was created in 1998 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the recommendation of the National Research Council (NRC) to provide a more responsive system to deliver data and information generated by the Earth Observing System. ESIP is now sponsored by NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The intent of these efforts is to engage the broader Earth science community to facilitate the dissemination and use of Earth science data and information.

As a non-profit corporation, ESIP is overseen by a Board of Directors drawn primarily from the Earth science community. It is expected that the Executive Director will work with and take direction from the president and chairman of the board on a regular basis. ESIP currently has two full-time staff members in addition to the Executive Director, the ESIP Lab and Community Directors as well as a part time position that supports operations and Logistics. ESIP contracts additional staff support as needed around ESIP Meetings. The staff members coordinate the online and in person volunteer efforts of more than 110 partner organizations, and organize at least two national meetings per year. The Executive Director is expected to be self-motivated and able to operate independently in a work environment based largely on the use of communications technology rather than daily face-to-face interactions. The position also requires frequent interaction with ESIP sponsors (e.g., NASA, NOAA, and USGS) and with the leadership of the groups that the ESIP serves.