The Organization
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, non-profit society of distinguished scholars. Established by an Act of Congress, signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership in the NAS for outstanding contributions to research. The NAS is committed to furthering science in America, and its members are active contributors to the international scientific community. Nearly 500 members of the NAS have won Nobel Prizes, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, founded in 1914, is today one of the premier international journals publishing the results of original research.
Position Overview
The National Academy of Sciences is seeking a visionary and innovative leader for the position of Deputy Chief Development Officer.
Although frequently assumed to be a government agency, the National Academy of Sciences is in fact a private, non-profit society of the nation’s most distinguished scholars. Established by an Act of Congress and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, the National Academy of Sciences is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. The National Academy of Sciences charter commits the Academy to provide scientific advice to the government “whenever called upon” by any government department.
In keeping with its objectivity and independence from outside interests, the Academy receives no Congressional appropriation. Rather, government agencies contract with the National Academy of Sciences to undertake studies, and the contracts reimburse the Academy for its costs in conducting its advisory work. The National Academy of Sciences derives no net income from providing advice to the nation.
Today, the responsibilities assigned to NAS in 1863 are fulfilled by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) and the National Research Council. Collectively, they comprise an institution that is often referred to as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine or more colloquially called the Academies.
The Academies’ projected 2016 revenue is $300 million, employs 1,100 staff members who work primarily at two facilities located in Washington DC. Other facilities are located in Irvine CA and Woods hole MA.
The Deputy CDO will help to envision, develop, and implement programs and infrastructure to sustain major gift and principal gift activities for the National Academies. He or she will manage the teams ultimately responsible for achieving annual fundraising goals at all levels and manage a small portfolio of their own prospects. The Deputy CDO will report and work closely with Michael Murphy, Chief Development Officer, to build an actively engaged volunteer base and expand the pipeline of future major donors and help transform the development office and forge a culture of philanthropy for science, engineering and medicine at the highest levels. The Deputy CDO will oversee Gift Planning, Annual Giving, Foundation and Corporate Relations, Events and Stewardship, Advancement Services, and Finance, Administration and Communication. This is a new leadership role in an expanding development office as the Academies prepares for a comprehensive campaign.
The Deputy CDO will work with the Chief Development Officer, the Executive Directors, Executive Officers, high-level volunteers, and colleagues (scientists, engineers, physicians and members of senior administration) to plan and deliver strategic philanthropic goals. The incumbent will be charged with building and implementing a more integrated and strategic fundraising approach to maximize private support across all program divisions of the National Academies.
The new Deputy CDO will possess exceptional leadership qualities such as an open, creative problem-solving approach, and a collaborative and collegial spirit. Someone who is a strategic thinker is essential. Critical, too, is leadership experience in an institution of considerable organizational complexity typified by matrix relationships of power and influence. Leadership experience in a campaign setting is required, and experience in the design of such an effort is a distinct preference. He or she will also have a reputation as a person of high integrity and a person of trust. Candidates must have a deep understanding of science, engineering and medicine and the mission of the National Academies. Intellectual curiosity, diplomatic skills and the ability to work with some of the world’s leading scientific experts across multiple disciplines and domains is essential.
A full position description can be found here: www.wittkieffer.com.
How To Apply
Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Review of applications and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the Leadership Statement, and the names and contact information of five references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. These materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the National Academy of Sciences’s consultants Ben Haden, Lucy A Leske and Mercedes Chacon Vance at NationalAcademySciencesDCDO@wittkieffer.com. Documents that must be mailed may be sent to Witt/Kieffer, 2015 Spring Rd., Suite 510, Oak Brook, IL 60523. The consultants can be reached by telephone at 630/575-6948.
The National Academy of Sciences values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.