Executive Director

Endless Frontiers; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

Endless Frontiers seeks an Executive Director to lead its launch and strategic growth. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will develop a comprehensive fundraising strategy and oversee daily operations as EF’s initial sole employee, guiding governance, finances, and compliance while engaging diverse stakeholders.

The role emphasizes building a development program spanning individual giving, institutional support, sponsorships, and events, with a focus on scale and mission impact.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of senior leadership experience in roles such as a fundraising/advancement leader, organizational founder, executive director, chief operating officer, chief of staff, senior legal counsel, program officer, impact officer, or senior administrative officer.
• Experience building fundraising programs, partnerships with boards, and managing finances and governance.
• Applications must include a cover letter and a resume, responsive to the mission and responsibilities outlined.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy.
• Operationalize the organization and stand up its day-to-day functions.
• Grow the annual retreat and expand the Demand Signal convening series.
• Guide ongoing innovation and lead EF in its early growth as a new organization.
• Oversee all operational aspects, including finances, risk management, governance and compliance.
• Represent Endless Frontiers to government, universities, funders, and private sector leaders.

Skills

Senior leadership

Fundraising leadership

Board relations

Job description

ZRG Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Endless Frontiers in the search for an Executive Director.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, operationalize the organization, grow its annual retreat, build the Demand Signal convening series, and guide ongoing innovation. The Executive Director, as EF's initial sole employee, will have both strategic leadership responsibilities as well as day-to-day responsibilities for standing up and running a new organization.

The Executive Director will lead a comprehensive development program encompassing individual giving, institutional support, sponsorships, and special events, deepening relationships with supporters and securing the resources necessary to scale Endless Frontiers. They will work closely with the Board of Directors in developing the programmatic strategies to fulfill EF's mission and ensure their effective and efficient implementation; be responsible for all operational aspects of the organization, including the responsible stewardship and control of its finances, risk management, governance, and legal and regulatory compliance; and represent the organization in engaging with varied audiences, including government agencies, universities, funders, and private sector leaders.

America faces a decisive decade. The decisions made in the next few years will determine whether America or its rivals write the history of the twenty-first century. China's industrial expansion, technological ambition, and military buildup is relentless. On current course and speed, the country risks ceding that future within the decade.

Endless Frontiers was created to change that calculus. Inspired by Vannevar Bush's landmark postwar report, Endless Frontiers convenes the leaders most capable of rebuilding the foundations of American strength policymakers, founders, scientists, investors, journalists, and military leaders in a setting designed for candor, trust, and action-oriented problem solving. The initiative was built for a single purpose: to accelerate America's effort to win.

The Endless Frontiers annual retreat convenes 250 invited guests from across the national security ecosystemnot the same conference circuit, but the actual decision-makers and builders whose choices shape outcomes. Throughout the retreat, participants discuss Defense and the Arsenal of Democracy, AI and Technological Supremacy, Reindustrialization and Economic Power, Governance and Institutional Renewal, and National Cohesion. The topics discussed in full group plenary sessions, small group breakouts to go deeper on specific challenges, and deliberate, unscheduled evening programs that allow for relationships to form between sessions.

Demand Signal is an Endless Frontiers initiative that helps government agencies define their highest-priority needs, translate them into language the market can act on, and mobilize the builders and capital to respond. It has grown from a single forum into a repeatable platform that serves multiple parts of the national security ecosystem, including the Navy, Army, Space Force, and the Defense Intelligence Agency.

At least 10 years of senior leadership experience, in roles such as a fundraising/advancement leader, organizational founder, executive director, chief operating officer, chief of staff, senior legal counsel, program officer, impact officer, or senior administrative officer, or others with similar broad organizational responsibility, is required for this position.

Endless Frontiers will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to EF, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and rsum. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Endless Frontiers and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.

The target salary for this position is $200,000. Endless Frontiers offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance along with a 401(k)-retirement plan.

While Endless Frontiers is open to candidates anywhere in the United States, the Executive Director should be able to maintain a regular presence in Austin, Texaswith a preference for candidates located in Austin, TX, Washington, D.C., or New York City.

Endless Frontiers is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Ron Schiller at [e-mail].