CANDIDATE PROFILE POSITION TITLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LOCATION REMOTE, USA
CREATED FOR GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS FOR STEM DIVERSITY
ABOUT graduate fellowships for stem diversity Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity (GFSD) is a national non-profit organization with a mission to increase the number of American citizens with graduate degrees in STEM fields, emphasizing the recruitment of a diverse applicant pool. Founded in 1989 as the National Physical Science Consortium, GFSD maintains a partnership between federal agencies & laboratories, industry, and higher education institutions to generate fellowship funding between government agencies, corporations, and fellows. Nearly 600 GFSD Fellows have earned a MS or PhD in a STEM field. These GFSD alumni pursue successful careers in academia, government labs, industry, and other sectors. he
OUR SUCCESS
GFSD supports more women and underrepresented minorities fellows in engineering and physical sciences than both STEM-doctorate recipients nationally and current recipients of the NSF Graduate Fellowships, especially in math, physics, and computational sciences.
what problems are we solving? Fewer US citizens are getting Ph.Ds in science and engineering fields: US citizens make up less than 50% of doctorate recipients in economics, computer science, engineering & math fields Women make up 42% of Ph.D recipients and this has been static for 10 years. Women make up only 25% of Engineering & 33% of physical science Ph.D degrees Hispanic, African American & American Indians combined make up less than 15% of Ph.D.’s awarded
who do we serve? The US Government is supporting fewer graduate students in science & engineering fields. It has dropped to 15% in 2019 from 19% in 2010 (~9000 less students are supported) We need more diverse scientists and engineers who can solve big problems the US and world faces in the near future. We need this innovation to reflect diverse problem solving approaches and perspectives, and for it to lead to job creation in the US to grow our economy.
our partners
GFSD is open for application by all U.S. citizens regardless of race or gender. The GFSD fellowship supports full-time graduate study only (mostly Ph.Ds). GFSD’s goal is to increase the number of American citizens with graduate degrees in STEM fields, emphasizing recruitment of a diverse applicant pool. And applicants are talented: the average GPA of 2019 applicants was 3.7 and 19% had a GPA of 4.0 or above. GFSD seeks additional government agencies and corporations to support fellowships for these deserving students, a vital national resource.
Position Overview Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) is an experienced, passionate, empathetic and visionary leader, who will build upon the strong foundation of GFSD and act as an ambassador for GFSD in recruiting new government and corporate sponsors, growing partnerships, and helping to build the Board of Directors. The ED will focus on building collaborations with different government agencies and universities, as well as advocating for nonprofit organizations in STEM fields. The ideal candidate will have familiarity with graduate education in STEM fields, and significant experience creating partnerships and generating diversified funding.
First Year GOALS & OBJECTIVEs Develop and implement a strategic plan to drive the organization's sustainability Create mentorship program between alumni & current fellows Grow partnerships with national science labs & STEM corporations Develop board of directors to tap into their networks for additional partnerships & to recruit new board members with connections in the industry Increase presence of organization & brand via social media, communications & campus visits
Career Track Leading to Executive Director The likely career track for the Executive Director of GFSD involves a blend of leadership, partnerships, and fundraising experience. They may have gained expertise in various fields, not necessarily limited to STEM, but have had extensive experience managing staff, developing positive team culture in a remote work environment, refining systems for collaboration, and leading initiatives for growth and impact.
roles & responsibilities Partnerships Cultivate new partnerships with government agencies, universities, and corporations. Explore securing appointments with congressional offices. Serve as a spokesperson for GFSD with the media and at public events. Develop and implement outreach strategies that expand the GFSD applicant pool, building relationships with key organizations and stakeholders. Organization Leadership & Board Relations Collaborate with the Board, staff, and alumni to create and implement a strategic plan that prioritizes opportunities for growth, while maintaining effective operations and finances and supporting the founding principles of the organization. Lead innovative community-building initiatives to increase the visibility of GFSD, its partnerships, and its importance in STEM. Develop the alumni and mentorship programs. Manage and supervise staff, and support opportunities for professional development. Assist the Board to identify, recruit, and develop engaged and active board members to promote the organization’s vision and strategy. Financial Management & Fund Development In collaboration with the Board, develop an annual organizational budget, as well as longer-term organizational development goals and costs to be funded and implemented. Oversee all financial matters, including maintaining budgets, approving and reviewing expenditures, and developing financial plans and procedures. Ensure compliance on contractual obligations and agreements. Identify new funding streams and revenue opportunities. Manage existing funder and sponsor relationships and pursue new partnerships with foundations and corporate sponsors. Cultivate new donor relationships and supporters to grow the organization’s individual giving program.
qualifications Master’s Degree, ideally in a STEM field. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a related field, such as university advancement; government relations; Congressional staffing; Federal STEM-related agencies or laboratories; U.S. government organizations; defense, aerospace, or other technology contractors; or other scientific industries. Experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Experience in nonprofit management and fundraising, with demonstrated experience growing organization programming. A proven track record of partnering with corporations and government agencies. Excellent interpersonal skills; significant experience working effectively with individuals from marginalized communities and groups underrepresented in STEM fields. Ability to self-direct without the need for day-to-day supervision. Experience managing budgets and organizational finances. Experience in board governance and alumni engagement.
compensation & benefits Salary Range for full-time is $145,000 - $175,000, and the position can either be a full-time position or half-time position (50% FTE). Relocation is not required, and the Executive Director may work remotely from anywhere in the United States. Benefits include: https://employees.usc.edu/benefitsperks/benefits-eligibility.
TOTAL REVENUE (2022) 1,174,530 TOTAL EXPENSES (2022) $1,119,376
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT (CANDID)
OVERVIEW
Budget & financials Overview
the PROCESS & Timeline
Envision Consulting has been retained by GFSD to conduct the search for their incoming Executive Director. We follow a comprehensive and structured approach that begins with a needs assessment to understand the organization's position and culture. Candidate sourcing is conducted using various strategies, such as leveraging networks, industry-specific databases, and targeted research. Our indepth evaluations are thoughtfully designed to assess qualifications, experience, cultural fit, and leadership potential. After two stages of interviews with Envision, we work with the organization's search committee to select the individuals they wish to meet and then curate that interview experience as well as the follow-up. We also support the final selection process, including negotiation and offer formulation and offer onboarding support to ensure a smooth transition for the selected candidate. Regular communication with the client is maintained throughout the process, providing updates, feedback, and guidance to ensure a successful executive search outcome. We also offer clients a 1-year guarantee and executive coaching throughout the first year of employment. Survey Focus Groups 1-1 interviews
Candidate Profile
SEARCH TEAM
to apply
Job description & Comms Plan
Recruiting & Screening Interviews
Sourcing & Marketing
Final Panel Interview
Face to Face Interviews
Onboarding & Coaching
Negotiation Support
Graduate Fellowship for STEM Diversity is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion or creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status recognized by federal, state or local law with respect to employment opportunities.
Envision Consulting is a minority-owned firm specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions. With offices in Denver, New York and Los Angeles, our partners and consultants are former executive leaders within nonprofit organizations who are truly inspired by our collective power to lift up the communities we serve. Our broad spectrum of services helps increase revenues, expand awareness and strengthen service delivery to the clients who need us the most. Learn more at www.envisionnonprofit.com.
ALLISON FULLER MANAGING PARTNER
MATT KAMIN MANAGING PARTNER
MELISSA MONTOYA DIRECTOR OF SEARCH SERVICES
SOFIE CALDERONBOULAD LEAD RECRUITER