Strategic Director (LF)

Lemelson Foundation; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lemelson Foundation in Portland, Oregon seeks a Senior Director of Strategy to champion the Foundation's five-year plan, partner with the Executive Director, and sit on the senior leadership team. This role emphasizes strategy development, implementation, and external advisory activities to advance the Foundation's mission.

The Senior Director will lead a team of program officers, guide priority initiatives across geographies, and oversee advisory and governance processes with a calm,

Qualifications

• Experience leading senior teams and driving organizational strategy.
• Ability to influence across functions and geographies.
• Strong advisory and governance facilitation skills.

Responsibilities

• Team, Strategic, and Operational Leadership
• Relationship Management
• Knowledge Management
• Advisory and Governance Processes Facilitation

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Relationship management

Knowledge management

Advisory skills

Facilitation

Job description

Established by prolific US inventor Jerome Lemelson and his wife Dorothy in the early 1990s, and guided today by the Lemelson family, we believe invention can solve many of the biggest economic and social challenges of our time. That's why we work to strengthen the ecosystems where inventions can take shape, grow, and flourish. For more than two decades we have inspired young people from diverse backgrounds to tackle the world's most daunting problems, advanced the field of invention education with a goal of reaching all children, and equipped entrepreneurs with the skills they need to start successful invention-based businesses. A private philanthropy, The Lemelson Foundation has investment assets of around $370 million and an annual budget of approximately $18 million. All told, we have provided over $200 million in grants and other investments to hundreds of organizations around the world.

The Position

A new role at the Foundation, the Senor Director of Strategy will serve as a champion of the Foundation's five-year strategy, a thought partner to the Executive Director, and as a member of the senior leadership team. This role has a keen focus on strategy and its implementation as well as external advisory and partner relationship management. The successful candidate is a talented people leader whose broad sense of accomplishment and professional pride derives from helping others achieve their goals be they subordinates, peers, or superiors.

The Senior Director will support a team of program officers whose initiatives reflect the Foundation's priority areas and span a range of issues and geographies. The following key responsibilities comprise the Senior Director's role:

• Team, Strategic, and Operational Leadership
• Relationship Management
• Knowledge Management
• Advisory and Governance Processes Facilitation

The successful candidate is a confident, mature, and seasoned leader with strong interpersonal skills and the humility to set aside ego in favor of mission and team. S/he is adept at situationally balancing both leading and supporting. The Senior Director possesses sound consultative and advisory skills combined with excellent group facilitation skills. A person who leads through influence and is a natural collaborator will excel in this role as will an individual who approaches his/her work with clear-eyed objectivity and a calm demeanor.

The Lemelson Foundation values diversity in all forms and is an equal opportunity employer.