Description
The Opportunity:
A hard act to follow but a rare opportunity to build on a strong legacy.
The previous leader placed by Common Agenda 7 years ago, Melissa Russell led the organization to global growth, financial strength, and strategic impact—transforming it into a vibrant, influential community at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry. Now, we’re seeking the next visionary leader to guide the world’s largest community of Computer Scientists and Engineers driving innovation in Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and High-Performance Computing.
The Society Executive Director (ED) of the IEEE Computer Society leads the Executive Office in supporting and carrying forward the goals and decisions of the Board of Governors, Committees, and President. The ED focuses on developing a strong partnership with the volunteer leadership and is a consultant to them, providing continuity in strategic thinking and planning. In supporting the volunteer leadership, the ED drives society initiatives, supports Technical Activities and IEEE initiatives, and acts as a conduit between the society and the other parts of the IEEE. The ED drives the organizational direction, operating plans, and strategies to meet the goals of the society, while managing all aspects of daily operations - overseeing a $70 Million budget, supporting 55,000 members worldwide, and managing a staff of over 60 employees.
The products supported within the society include meetings and conferences, publications, membership, professional education, and standards. CS also has a formidable online presence and marketing and sales function. Product management includes the disciplined use of metrics and a portfolio review process. As the leader of an operating unit of IEEE, he/she is responsible for cultivating internal partnerships and pursuing operational efficiencies, including the integration of CS business functions with
IEEE business functions when it makes sense. He/she has a signing authority of up to $100k without a co-signature as well as signs performance appraisals and incentive plans. The ED has the authority to make final decisions concerning day-to-day business and staff operations. Society and staff issues will normally be addressed in conjunction with the Managing Director of Technical Activities.
The Society Executive Director reports to the Managing Director of Technical Activities, partners with the Society President, and coordinates with other Society Executive Directors and IEEE staff leaders. They serve as ex-officio non-voting member of the Society Board of Governors, ExCom and other Society Committees.
Key Responsibilities
- Leads and provides broad-based business management for a $70 million global association. Develops and forecasts the annual budget. Responsible for the financial health of the product lines. Accountable for the overall financial results.
- Expected to promote new revenue-generating activities and open global markets for the Society’s products, especially those in emerging technologies.
- Fosters member-centric technical communities and extend their reach into emerging technology areas. Ensure excellence in communications to members and volunteers, as well as staff.
- Leads, develops, and supervises up to 6 direct reports, 55 indirect, and temporary / independent contractors as required.
- Manages staff including performance review, goal setting, hiring, training, and mentoring.
- Ensures excellence in strategic, operational, and financial planning; actively provides advice and counsel to volunteer and professional staff leaders
- Leads Society-wide commitments to positive brand integrity, organizational reputation, legal and regulatory compliance and embodies the highest caliber of ethical behavior.
- Partners with IEEE, other IEEE Societies, and external organizations on strategic initiatives, including Future Directions Initiatives and outreach to audiences such as corporations and entrepreneurs.
The Ideal Candidate
Experience & Qualifications Required Education & Certifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field is required
- Master's or advanced degree (e.g., MBA) is preferred
- CAE (Certified Association Executive), CMP (Certified Meeting Planner), CMA (Certified Management Accountant), or CPA (Certified Public Accountant) are preferred
Work Experience
- 12+ years of Membership Society/Association Management: Proven track record of managing and forecasting multi-million-dollar expense budgets and growing revenue streams.
- Deep Industry Knowledge: Extensive working knowledge of non-profit publishing, conference/event management, non-profit governance, volunteer engagement, and membership strategy (retention and development).
- 7+ years of Staff Leadership: Experience supervising and developing a multi-disciplinary staff of at least 20 full-time employees.
Skills & Competencies
- Intellectual Property & Events Management: Demonstrable skills in managing, selling, and marketing intellectual property products and conferences.
- Communication & Relationship Building: Superb communication and human relations skills are essential for building and maintaining strong relationships with volunteers, staff, and external stakeholders. This includes the ability to write reports, correspondence, and web content that influences the Society's business.
- Polished Presentation Skills: Capable of delivering informative and persuasive speeches to audiences ranging from 10 to 1,000, including staff, volunteers, media, and industry leaders.
- Problem-Solving: Proven success in resolving complex business challenges such as Volunteer Leadership change management, changing business models from effects of Open Access, Surplus-loss ratio, Member value gap issues, etc.
- Technical & Organizational Knowledge (Very Helpful, Not Required): Prior knowledge of IEEE goals, policies, and processes, as well as emerging technology areas such as AI, Quantum, and High-Performance Computing, is beneficial.
Location – Travel – Compensation
- Work Location: Candidates must work in the IEEE Computer Society’s offices in Los Alamitos, California at least 50% of the time. Fully remote work won’t be considered however, our client will provide relocation assistance and we’re discussing hybrid situations on a case-by-case basis.
- Travel Requirements: Valid passport. Overnight travel required up to 40% of the time, some of which will be over weekends and international in nature.
- Total Compensation Package: This role offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package, including a base salary of $285,000 to $350,000. In addition to a generous base salary, the total compensation includes a 15% bonus and exceptional benefits designed to support our team members' well-being and success.
About Common Agenda
Common Agenda is a boutique executive search firm that has partnered with the IEEE for over 20 years to conduct recruiting projects for strategic, succession, and other challenging roles. Their work with the IEEE has included placing professionals from individual contributors up to executive leaders across many of the organization's operating units. Common Agenda’s expertise is in recruiting for the technology industry and for non-profit associations. The company's client base includes growing startups, Fortune 500 companies, and technical societies, and they recruit leaders who can influence and drive innovation
A partial list of senior and executive placements we’ve facilitated is provided below.
- Strategic Programs Director - Climate Change & Entrepreneurship - IEEE Corporate
- Senior Director, Technical Activities Volunteer Engagement – IEEE Corporate
- Society Executive Director – IEEE Robotics & Automation Society
- Director of Data & Analytics – IEEE Corporate
- Future Directions Program Director – IEEE Corporate
- Lead Consultant Business Development – IEEE Silicon Valley Hub
- Senior Consultant Marketing Operations – IEEE Silicon Valley Hub
- Director of IT - IEEE Communication Society
- Society Executive Director - IEEE Power & Energy Society
- Society Executive Director - IEEE Computer Society
- Senior Director, Member Experience - IEEE Corporate
- Senior Director, Alliance Management Services - IEEE Corporate
- Director of Member Activities - IEEE Corporate
- Director of Sales & Marketing - IEEE Computer Society
- Director of Conferences - IEEE Communications Society
- Director of New Initiatives - IEEE Standards Association
- Director of Engagement Marketing & Creative Communications – IEEE Standards Association
Julia Bocage, Senior Client Partner
732-292-6121 - jbocage@commonagenda.com
Requirements
The Ideal Candidate
Experience & Qualifications Required
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field is required
- Master's or advanced degree (e.g., MBA) is preferred
- CAE (Certified Association Executive), CMP (Certified Meeting Planner), CMA (Certified Management Accountant), or CPA (Certified Public Accountant) are preferred
Work Experience
- 12+ years of Membership Society/Association Management: Proven track record of managing and forecasting multi-million-dollar expense budgets and growing revenue streams.
- Deep Industry Knowledge: Extensive working knowledge of non-profit publishing, conference/event management, non-profit governance, volunteer engagement, and membership strategy (retention and development).
- 7+ years of Staff Leadership: Experience supervising and developing a multi-disciplinary staff of at least 20 full-time employees.
Skills & Competencies
Intellectual Property & Events Management: Demonstrable skills in managing, selling, and marketing intellectual property products and conferences.
Communication & Relationship Building: Superb communication and human relations skills are essential for building and maintaining strong relationships with volunteers, staff, and external stakeholders. This includes the ability to write reports, correspondence, and web content that influences the Society's business.
Polished Presentation Skills: Capable of delivering informative and persuasive speeches to audiences ranging from 10 to 1,000, including staff, volunteers, media, and industry leaders.
Problem-Solving: Proven success in resolving complex business challenges such as Volunteer Leadership change management, changing business models from effects of Open Access, Surplus-loss ratio, Member value gap issues, etc.
Technical & Organizational Knowledge (Very Helpful, Not Required): Prior knowledge of IEEE goals, policies, and processes, as well as emerging technology areas such as AI, Quantum, and High-Performance Computing, is beneficial.
Location – Travel – Compensation
Work Location: Candidates must work in the IEEE Computer Society’s offices in Los Alamitos, California at least 50% of the time. Fully remote work won’t be considered however, our client will provide relocation assistance and we’re discussing hybrid situations on a case-by-case basis.
Travel Requirements: Valid passport. Overnight travel required up to 40% of the time, some of which will be over weekends and international in nature.
Total Compensation Package: This role offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package, including a base salary of $285,000 to $350,000. In addition, the total compensation includes a 15% bonus and exceptional benefits designed to support our team members' well-being and success.
