Executive Director Lazio

Executive Director
Roma
Lazio, Lazio

Executive Director of the Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation (ISSNAF)

About ISSNAF:

ISSNAF is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to promoting scientific, academic, and technological cooperation between Italy and North America across all disciplines.

Our mission is to connect, empower, and celebrate the Italian Intellectual Diaspora in North America, fostering a shared Italian identity and culture.

ISSNAF builds bridges between Italy and North America to support R&D and innovation, administers programs for talented researchers and students in advanced research centers in North America, facilitates technology scouting, and supports workforce development and education through mobility experiences.

We also administer the Young Investigator (YI) Awards, recognizing outstanding early-career Italian researchers in North America annually, and offer mentoring programs.

Job Type:

Temporary, Contractor (Duration: 12 months, renewable)Location: Italy (travel within Italy and North America is expected).

Remote work.

Job Summary:

The Executive Director willOversee the successful operation of ISSNAF, reporting directly to the President. Drive growth in new partnerships and programs and have a transformative impact on the Foundation's visibility and scale of activities. Oversee all operational activities

Essential Job Duties:PlanningCollaborate with the President and Board of Directors (BOD) to develop long-range plans and budgets for ISSNAF programs (including the Researcher Mobility, Mentoring, and Awards Programs), activities, and events. GrowthGrow the ISSNAF footprint in Italy.

Build a strong network of ISSNAF supporters in Italy and strengthen the professional ties between the ISSNAF membership and their Italian counterpart. Support the Italian universities' "third mission". Scale up existing programs and propose new ones. Scout and develop relationships with program partners and sponsors, including academia, government, foundations, industry, and other organizations. Scout and cultivate donors, prepare funding proposals, and organize fundraising events. Grow the ISSNAF membership in North America. OperationsOversee all ISSNAF business operations to ensure program health and compliance with policies. Manage and direct all programs.

Establish processes where needed. Track, monitor, report, and project finances for all accounts to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of transactions. Propose, organize and manage ISSNAF events. Support the ISSNAF membership.

Develop and maintain relationships with ISSNAF members, ISSNAF Chapters, and the research community at large. Lead all ISSNAF communications activities (website and social media) to increase the visibility of the foundation.

Curate the image that ISSNAF projects. Manage and direct staff and consultants.

Lead and mentor volunteers and collaborators. Provide reports to the BOD as needed.

Support the BOD with committee duties and other activities. Liaison with Italian GovernmentWhen appropriate, liaise with the Embassy of Italy in Washington DC and the Consular network in North America, and Italian Government offices in Italy. Other Duties:

Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:Graduate degree10+ years of work experience that is directly relevant to this position. Fluency in oral and written English and Italian. Strong presentation and writing skills to represent ISSNAF internally and externally. Ability to work independently and proactively with minimal direction and in the face of uncertainty. Demonstrated expertise in organizing and managing multiple projects. Proven community-building experience. Superior interpersonal skills, including the ability to interact with individuals at all levels of academic, industrial, and government organizations. Working knowledge of the research environment, ideally within the context of internationally funded projects, such as those supported by the European Commission (e. g. , Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions) and/or the US. Fundraising experience with a successful track record. Experience in similar roles/responsibilities with non-profit foundations. Positive attitude, customer focus, and appreciation for the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Preferred QualificationsBackground in international affairs or corporate communications. Background in law, with a focus on European Union regulations and policies, including aspects related to EU funding mechanisms and programs. Knowledge of the regulatory environment for US non-profits and Italian regulations governing interactions with US non-profits.