Chief Executive Officer

Basic Qualifications

Candidate should have senior management experience leading a middle-size to large organization and/or institution, and a proven track record of raising major and mega gifts. Candidate should have strong interpersonal communication skills and be able to articulate the missions of the American Committee and the Weizmann Institute. The candidate must be of the highest moral character and always act with integrity, honesty, and transparency.

 

Background

The mission of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS) is to provide philanthropic support and raise awareness in the United States for the Weizmann Institute of Science (the Institute) in Israel, which is dedicated to curiosity-driven, science-backed research. Over the years, the Institute has demonstrated that when you grant exceptionally talented researchers the freedom to follow their curiosity and work in an environment where collaboration among disciplines is championed, far-reaching discoveries with practical applications will follow. In fact, scientists at the Institute are granted an average of two patents per week.

           

The Institute is divided into five faculties—Biology; Chemistry; Biochemistry; Physics; and Mathematics and Computer Science—that comprise 18 research departments. In addition, the Institute includes a Scientific Archaeology Unit, a Department of Science Teaching, the Feinberg Graduate School, the Davidson Institute of Science Education, and a technology transfer unit. The Institute’s scientific community encompasses approximately 3,800 faculty, students, and staff on its verdant 280-acre campus. (See Addendum for additional information on the Institute.)

 

Founded in 1944, ACWIS is a national network of dedicated lay leaders and professional staff who share the Institute’s vision of advancing science for the benefit of humanity and strengthening Israel through science and technology. ACWIS engages in various activities in order to raise philanthropic funds for the Institute from individuals, families, foundations, and the business community in America; to educate the American public about the Institute's groundbreaking research; and to represent the Institute's interests in the United States. Through their generous philanthropy, ACWIS supporters become partners with Institute scientists in the search for answers to the most difficult challenges facing humanity. ACWIS is one of the most successful and innovative fundraising organizations in the nation. Its average annual fundraising achievement over the last five years has been more than $65 million.

 

With a national staff of 65 (most working from its New York headquarters) and an annual budget of $16 million, ACWIS also has a network of regional offices and national experts in major gifts, planned giving, national and international programs, and marketing. In recent years, ACWIS has moved from the traditional model of a central fundraising organization with individual regional offices into a unified system that values long-term donor cultivation, where the national office works with regional staff and stewards donors.

 

·         The success of ACWIS is tied to what has become known as The Weizmann Way, the patient, long-term development of close relationships with laity, donors, and prospective donors.

·         ACWIS leadership has set an annual fundraising goal of at least $75 million and a donor base of 10,000 donors.

·         ACWIS has completed the first year of a three-year, $225-million campaign in recognition of its 75th anniversary. Over $79 million was raised in the first year, and the organization is confident that the three-year goal will be reached or exceeded.

·         In support of its ongoing financial resource development objectives (noted above), ACWIS has added three initiatives: Women for Science, NextGen, and the Weizmann Honor Society.

·         As part of its marketing strategy, ACWIS produces collateral materials with key messages developed through donor input, research, and market data intelligence. These print, video, and digital materials win industry awards for creativity and quality.

·         ACWIS professionals work closely with donors, with their financial advisors, and/or with their attorneys to create novel, custom-made philanthropic products to meet the needs of individual givers.

 

For more information on ACWIS, visit www.weizmann-usa.org.

 

Position

The ACWIS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the overall function and health of the organization. Specifically, the CEO implements the strategic financial and operational goals and objectives of the organization; manages (along with the Chair) the Board and governance system; and gives direction and leadership to the achievement of the organization's philosophy, mission, strategy, annual goals, and objectives.

 

As the central fundraising strategist, the CEO (together with staff and Board leadership) develops fundraising programs, calendars, and initiatives, as well as strategies for cultivation and solicitation. In the future, a key challenge for the CEO will be to maintain the current momentum and to continue developing new programs and strategies to support ambitious fundraising goals.

 

The CEO keeps the ACWIS Chair and Board informed, educated, and engaged in the developments and initiatives of both the Weizmann Institute and ACWIS. The CEO, along with the Chair, identifies new prospective leadership for ACWIS. Part of the ACWIS Board agenda includes reports on the status of fundraising plans and achievements, budgets, operations, and activities.

 

As the national spokesperson in the United States for the Institute, the CEO works with U.S. and Israeli communications and marketing staff to increase the Institute's visibility in the United States. The CEO is the primary liaison between ACWIS and the Institute's administration.

 

The CEO directs all ACWIS management functions, including (but not limited to) financial resource development, national programs, budget and finance, marketing and communications, and administration.

 

Responsibilities

Leadership:

·         Set a bold vision for the organization

·         Foster an environment based on the fundamental ACWIS principle that “none of us is as smart as all of us”

·         Work with the Board and staff to create and implement new strategies and initiatives

·         Ensure a productive work environment and high morale among leadership and staff

·         Lead a program to increase the visibility and position of ACWIS and its programs

·         Act as a spokesperson and leader who can articulate the organization’s vision and accomplishments with excitement

 

Fundraising:

·         Serve as a primary major gifts fundraiser who builds and maintains strong relationships with current/potential major donors. (ACWIS fundraising success is, in large part, based on acquiring seven- and eight-figure gifts each year.)

·         Act as a steward and solicitor of major gifts

·         Work to engage existing personal contacts with high-potential donors in ACWIS

·         Cultivate fundraising strategies and operations related to the Weizmann Way

·         Perform duties away from the ACWIS office in New York to raise both funds and the visibility of ACWIS and the Institute among prospective donors

 

Management:

·         Lead a unified professional group and provide it with a new and continuing vision

·         Work effectively with a highly accomplished management team that has the respect of lay leadership

·         Entrust senior management staff to manage their areas of responsibility

·         Collaborate with national organizations, regional offices and/or executives working remotely

·         Understand the strategic financial realities of a 501c3

·         Evaluate business processes, maintain those that are effective, and lead the organization through change (as needed)

·         Stay abreast of the organization’s finances and ensure budgets/programs are aligned

·         Travel extensively as needed, including two or three visits to the Institute per year.

 

The Weizmann Institute:

·         Represent the Institute in the United States

·         Travel with the president of the Institute when he/she is in the United States

·         Enhance the Institute’s visibility and standing in the United States

·         Work to build and strengthen a partnership between ACWIS and the Institute based on mutual trust and confidence

 

Lay Leadership:

·         Support the operation and administration of the organization’s governance system and lay leadership

·         Ensure an appropriate lay decision-making process in accordance with recognized fiduciary responsibilities

·         Work closely with the Chair to keep laity fully informed about progress towards financial and programmatic goals

·         Maximize engagement and motivation of the Board and key lay leaders throughout the organization

·         Support a strong partnership between professional staff and their lay counterparts

 

Qualities

·         Reflect the basic foundations of integrity, honesty, and transparency

·         Possess a working knowledge of, and personal passion for, Israel

·         Possess a sense of mission in helping both Israel and people around the world through science

·         Possess a curiosity about the quest for scientific knowledge (While existing knowledge of science is not mandatory for this position, the ability to acquire it is imperative; a university degree may be one indicator.)

·         Maintain a sense of equilibrium under pressure and avoid overreacting/underreacting to stress

·         Possess an executive presence and interpersonal skills that allow for engagement with major national Jewish and non-Jewish philanthropists and foundations

Value diversity in opinions and culture

To apply to this position please visit www.DRGsearch.com