SEEKING: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Accepting Applications through January 5, 2022

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Founded in 2016, WIN: Women in Innovation is an international non-profit organization founded to close the gender gap in innovation. WIN provides action-oriented programming, tools and resources, and a high-impact community designed for women employed in innovation jobs in professional services firms, Fortune 500 corporations and across the startup ecosystem. 

Inspired by an insight that women are incredible innovators, WIN is focused on amplifying the role of women in designing a better future for everyone. Women are currently underrepresented in innovation business leadership and thought leadership across the entire professional journey. Only 25% of top innovation firms are led by women. Only 16% of top innovation books on Amazon are written by women. The upward professional trajectory of women in innovation jobs is negatively impacted by a lack of formalized training in innovation, absence of vetted and centralized resources, and limited access to sponsorship and mentorship opportunities. The innovation industry is driven by fierce competition, creating systemic industry challenges and barriers for women to collaborate, offer support, and learn from one another. These dynamics prevent women in innovation from reaching the highest levels of professional influence and authority in the field of innovation.

WIN has evolved unique and effective solutions to the problem through its robust and holistic offerings. Over the last year, WIN’s offerings have evolved from an in-person model serving women in our three chapter cities of New York, London and San Francisco, to a mix of on- and off-line opportunities supporting women in 40+ countries and 300+ cities across the globe. Designed by our Volunteer Leadership team, WIN Monthly Programming is delivered by leading innovation experts from Fortune 500, startups, and innovation and design firms to provide training on skills necessary to excel in innovation. WIN’s Mentorship programs enable women in the field to nurture powerful, non­-competitive, and supportive relationships amongst women at similar phases in their professional journey. The WIN Hub is our online community platform where women in innovation connect across industries and time zones. Finally, WIN creates and promotes Innovation Content to change perceptions around women’s innovation and innovation for women. WIN is currently piloting different initiatives to identify the highest impact offerings towards meeting our mission.

As a volunteer-led and decentralized international organization, WIN has achieved unprecedented traction and impact in its current markets, New York, London and San Francisco. In its next phase of growth, WIN is looking to define and track its impact, identify the most sustainable revenue/funding models for the organization, and forge a path to growth that closes the gender gap in innovation for women across the globe.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

WIN seeks a leader with a passion for gender-equity, a revenue and growth focused mindset, and experience and relationships in the innovation landscape. WIN is a rapidly growing and evolving organization that needs a leader with both strong strategic ability and an enthusiasm for getting things done. Reporting to the WIN Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will have overall operational and strategic responsibility for the WIN organization. With 4,000+ Members, 40+ Volunteer Staff, Ambassadors, Corporate and Academic Partners, 9 Board Directors, an Advisory Council, and Emeritus Council, the CEO must be adept at relationship management, diverse stakeholder engagement and a confident decision-maker. 

In partnership with the Board and Volunteer Leadership team, the CEO will set the organizational vision and strategy, co-defining and designing the offerings and revenue strategy (product/market fit) that allow the organization to most effectively and sustainably close the gender gap in innovation. This is an incredible opportunity for a leader who is hungry to innovate and collaborate with cross-sector leaders to create lasting change. The ideal candidate has business development or sales experience in the field or practice of innovation (firms, in-house, startup ecosystem) and is looking to take on end-to-end ownership of an offering, bringing together multiple functions around development, product, and growth.

This is a remote (US-based), full-time (for an up- and coming-innovation leader) or part-time (for an established innovation leader) position with expected all-in compensation range of $85-100K commensurate with professional experience and track record. This job description captures 80% of what we are looking for in this role. We are seeking a candidate who can help us define the final scope and shape of the position. This is an incredible opportunity for an ambitious and strategic innovator with a passion for gender equity.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Full time - Minimum of 6 years of professional experience; Part time - minimum of 10 years of professional experience
Strategic Revenue Development: Proven track record in business development, sales, or fundraising, or demonstrated ability to build and execute on sustainable revenue models 
Subject matter expertise: Prior experience in or demonstrated passion for the field and practice of innovation 
Embodied leadership: Ability to craft and communicate the WIN strategy internally and externally to volunteers, members, partners, donors, and other audiences, visibly demonstrating leadership and representing the organization in different forums
Executive leadership: Proven track record as a leader in a startup, social enterprise, or as a program developer/lead
Broad personal and professional network: Prior experience building strong and lasting relationships across diverse networks in the innovation landscape
Team management: Proven experience building and managing volunteer or remote teams, ability to inspire the team to change to meet strategic needs
Values: Strong alignment with organizational values and the subject matter of the organization’s work - bias for collaboration and solution-based thinking; demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; role model for fostering inclusive and respectful environments 

CHARACTER
Self-starter, driven personality with the ability to hold the strategic vision while also executing the practical plans and processes to enable impact
Innate bias for action, growth mindset, openness, positive outlook, generosity
Ambitious leader who wants to make a mark on the innovation landscape
Strong decision-maker
Strong communication skills, executive presence, authentic leadership, unique charisma 
True extrovert who will be energized by regular engagement with multiple stakeholders
Genuine and inspired passion for the WIN mission

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume via this form on or before January 5, 2022. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.