AIChE Executive Director and CEO
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In accordance with AIChE’s Constitution and Bylaws, the Board of Directors will select the next Executive Director and CEO. Advising the board of directors is a search committee composed of current AIChE board members and past presidents of the Institute along with the executive search firm, Heidrick & Struggles.
The Organization
Company and Employees
Company
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Employees
Approximately 100
Management and Board
Learn about AIChE's management and board at Aiche.org/community/leadership
Company Overview and Website
Founded in 1908, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) is a nonprofit organization providing leadership to the chemical engineering profession representing more than 60,000 members in industry, academia, and government. AIChE provides forums to advance the theory and practice of the profession, upholds high professional standards and ethics, and supports excellence in education.
Institute members range from undergraduate students, to faculty, to entry-level engineers, to chief executive officers of major corporations. Fields of specialization include chemicals and petroleum, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, process safety and hydrogen safety, sustainability and food, performance materials and electronics, and pulp and paper.
Website
AIChE's Aspiration
To inspire a safe, connected, and inclusive community Doing a World of Good as:
- The Global Leader of the chemical engineering profession;
- The Center for lifelong professional and personal growth; and
- The Foremost Catalyst in applying our expertise to sustainably meet societal needs.
Strategic Objectives
- Enable the success of all members and stakeholders as the leader in advancing the chemical and related engineering professions
- Strengthen existing and create new, relevant communities
- Enhance the academic curriculum and promote lifelong learning across the profession by developing trusted content
- Expand the diversity and inclusivity of the profession
- Address important societal issues by utilizing the expertise of the profession
- Proactively innovate and deliver products and services through transformational technologies
The Position
Position Title and Location
Position Title
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
Location
Flexible - AIChE Headquarters are in New York, NY and the CEO must be able to spend frequent and meaningful time at this location
Reports To
AIChE Board of Directors through the elected Board President, Christine Grant
See here for additional Board Member bios.
Direct Reports
AIChE Professional Staff including: Chief Financial Officer; Chief of Administration; Chief Executive Officer of RAPID Manufacturing Institute; Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CCPS (Center for Chemical Process Safety); Chief of Technical Operations, Membership, and Business Development; and Senior Director of Business Services.
Financials
Position Summary
AIChE and its Board are seeking a visionary and impactful Executive Director & CEO (ED/CEO) to execute on a shared vision for the organization that drives long-range growth strategy, operating plans, and financial goals. This person will be responsible for leading the nation’s largest organization focused on the chemical and related engineering profession, serving as the principal paid executive of AIChE. The ED/CEO will provide strong leadership to the organization and will continue to drive the transformation process of AIChE to a differentiated, forward-facing organization with global reach. S/he will help set the tone for AIChE and will be critically important to creating a vision of success and gaining institutional buy-in and acceptance of that vision by way of a strong partnership with the Board of Directors and Operating Committees. S/he will quickly earn the trust and confidence of his/her team, Board, members, strategic partners, and a broader industry network via credible, transparent, direct, and continuous communication. Additionally, s/he will demonstrate a deep commitment to employees, with a passion for developing talent and the ability to create strong relationships at all levels.
Responsibilities
Dedicated to the aspiration of the Institute, this Executive will work in close partnership with the Board and assume the following responsibilities:
- Oversees the general business and affairs of AIChE and exercises duties of care and loyalty.
- Develops and achieves the goals and objectives of AIChE. Responsible for financial stewardship of the organization and will lead strategic efforts to effectively and appropriately manage growth.
- Enables the creation of the strategic plan, develops the strategic roadmap, and ensures its successful implementation, with the Board’s oversight.
- Cultivates and fosters strong volunteer engagement among existing and prospective members.
- Along with the elected President, and aligned with the Institute’s equity, diversity and inclusion statement, represents the breadth and depth of the chemical engineering profession and the Institute to its many domestic and international stakeholders outside the Institute including the public, industry, academia, government and other organizations.
- Serves as the “face of the organization” and a principal spokesperson for AIChE in cooperation and collaboration with the President and Board of Directors. In this role, the Executive Director works to increase awareness of the chemical engineering profession, the varied environments in which the profession contributes, and the changing needs of the chemical engineering professional, and serves as an advocate.
- Builds cooperative relationships across chemical engineering constituents including industry, academic, government, and “non-traditional” chemical engineering sectors globally.
- Exercises responsible financial stewardship, including P&L responsibility for the organization. Establishes budgets and allocates resources.
- Develops, drives the execution, and ensures the quality and effectiveness of innovative value-added programs, services, and initiatives to meet the relevant and evolving needs of members and to support membership growth and engagement.
- Grows the AIChE business, including, but not limited to, membership, current revenue streams and new sources of revenue, addressing the needs of industry, academia, and government.
- Identifies resource requirements and develops and implements fundraising and other types of revenue generation, working as necessary in collaboration with members of the Board and other entities.
- Ensures that the Board of Directors, Operating Councils, and staff have relevant and current information impacting the Institute and the environment in which it operates.
- Establishes objective performance metrics for programs, services, volunteer activities and initiatives of the Institute, appropriately measures and interprets results, and takes responsibility for goal achievement.
- Establishes and maintains a positive and productive high-performance culture among AIChE employees. Leads staff leadership development, succession, and evaluation processes to support the functions, programs, and services of the Institute.
- Provides a measure of continuity in a professional society governed by a rotating elected Board of Directors chaired by an annually-elected President.
- Partners closely with the Board of Directors to help ensures that the Board and its reporting committees are effective. Manages required communication inside and outside the organization.
- Follows the highest ethical standards, ensures accountability, and maintains AIChE’s legal and financial compliance.
The Person
Pivotal Experience & Expertise
- Industry Experience and Network: Chemicals industry leader from a corporate, non-profit, academic, or related environment with an extensive network and deep understanding of the dynamic chemical engineering profession. The ideal candidate will be a Chemical Engineer or Chemist by training.
- Stakeholder Exposure: Gravitas and pace to thrive in a business that is lightly resourced and involves heavy, complex stakeholder interaction with a variety of internal and external constituents. The ideal candidate will have Board exposure and track record of strong stakeholder management.
- Business Acumen and P&L Experience: Excellent business, financial, and commercial acumen to facilitate strategic planning, business reviews, market and opportunity assessments, analysis of competitor threats, and financial analysis of opportunities; strong understanding of levers that underlie a P&L, ideally with business management and/or professional society management experience. The ideal candidate will have global business exposure and meaningful management experience.
- Transformation Driver: Track record of developing and executing strategies to structure and achieve significant, sustainable and profitable top and bottom line growth. Experience leading company-wide change, growing, motivating and, where needed, streamlining organizations.
- People and Culture Focus: Experience in developing a high-performance culture. Effective assessor and developer of talent who provides guidance, support and mentorship to their leaders with respect for their professional development, as well as the development of their employees.
Culture Fit & Impact
AIChE’s next leader will be:
Passionate about AIChE’s Mission
- Possesses a deep passion for AIChE’s mission and appreciation for its unique approach.
- A visionary, creative, and forward-looking leader who understands the modern challenges of the chemical engineering profession. Possesses a keen strategic sense of how to operationalize and mobilize for a dynamic macro-environment.
A Strong Communicator and Advocate
- Exceptional executive presence, enthusiasm, and dynamism. Ability to lead a high-impact, globally-focused organization.
- The ability to communicate effectively as a visible, public spokesperson for AIChE and issues of governance.
- Strong advocacy, networking, and communication skills to promote the organization’s mission effectively on a global basis.
- An expert relationship builder with proven coalition building skills across boundaries; a persuasive negotiator able to achieve consensus when faced with differing perspectives.
Culturally Sensitive and Appreciative of Diversity
- Ability to build rapport and form relationships with diverse stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external.
- People skills that encourage an open, transparent, and welcoming workplace respectful of all forms of diversity.
- An understanding of the culture and motivation for those working in the nonprofit organization sector.
Leadership Capabilities
Inspire & Influence
- Lead through influence
- Co-create meaning and purpose
- Engage and energize the organization
Lead Innovation
- Lead change
- Collaborate across boundaries
- Scale and invest in new ideas
Shape Strategy
- Anticipate and interpret relevant landscape changes
- Envision the future
- Decide strategic priorities
Agility & Potential
Adaptability
- Flex and transform
- Authenticity
Resilience
- Purpose and integrity
- Ownership mindset
- Persist and sustain energy
Foresight
- Solve complex problems
- Develop creative solutions
- Thinking dexterity
How to Apply
Candidates interested in applying for the position should email Heidrick & Struggles directly at aiche@heidrick.com.
Questions about the Process
For any additional questions or feedback, please email them to execdirsearch@aiche.org.