Executive Director

Executive Director

Company:
Smithbucklin

Location:

Chicago, IL or Washington, DC office (Hybrid/Remote allowed)

Posted: 06-Jul-26

Type:
Full Time

Salary: $,000

The ISTAT Foundation is the charitable arm of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT), and we are seeking an Executive Director to lead the Foundation’s operations, programs, and strategic initiatives. As the senior staff leader, you will work closely with the Board of Trustees, Chairperson, and committee chairs to achieve the Foundation’s mission and grow its impact.

• Governance & Board Partnership
  • Serve as primary staff resource to the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee; prepare board books, minutes, and governance documentation.
  • Partner with the Chairperson on agenda development, trustee communications, officer elections, and committee coordination.
  • Maintain and administer the Foundation's bylaws, policies, and compliance obligations as a nonprofit corporation.
  • Support the Governance and Nominating Committee in trustee recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning.
  • Coordinate annual reporting obligations, legal filings, and engagement with foundation counsel.
• Strategic Execution & Organizational Leadership
  • Drive implementation of the Foundation's strategic plan in partnership with the Board, translating priorities into annual operating plans with measurable outcomes.
  • Build and maintain the operational infrastructure – systems, processes, and accountability frameworks – needed to support the Foundation's growth.
  • Direct staff resources, issue work instructions, and ensure service quality and accountability.
  • Serve as a non‑voting member of the Executive Committee, providing staff perspective on strategic and operational matters.
• Fundraising & Development
  • Collaborate with the Development Committee Chair and committee to set fundraising priorities, track progress, and ensure accountability against goals.
  • Support diversifying the Foundation’s revenue base beyond the ISTAT annual grant, providing the Development Committee with the data, planning support, and operational resources needed to execute its strategy.
  • Ensure named scholarship donors and restricted fund holders receive appropriate stewardship, acknowledgment, and reporting in accordance with applicable agreements and compliance requirements.
  • Serve as staff lead to the Development Committee; prepare materials, coordinate with the Committee Chair, and ensure decisions translate into completed action.
  • Oversee fundraising event logistics and execution, ensuring events are delivered on time, on budget, and to the standard expected by the ISTAT community.
• Programs Management
  • Oversee all Foundation programs: scholarship awards, internship-related reimbursements, the mentorship program, grants, and humanitarian aid.
  • Ensure program excellence, participant experience, and alignment with the Foundation's mission and strategic priorities.
  • Manage university and institutional partnerships (including Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University and Purdue University) and associated program agreements.
  • Support Committee staff leads for the Scholarships, Internship & Mentorship, Humanitarian, and Grants Committees.
  • Track program outcomes and report results to the Board and Executive Committee; ensure the Foundation can demonstrate impact against its mission in a clear and defensible way.
• Financial Stewardship
  • Oversee budget development and management in collaboration with the Treasurer and Smithbucklin’s finance staff.
  • Support the Treasurer and Board in the oversight of the Foundation’s investment and reserve policies, including coordination with external managers and ensuring adherence to Board‑approved financial guidelines.
  • Coordinate the annual audit process, present financial reports to the Board and Executive Committee.
• Communications & Brand
  • Direct the Foundation communications strategy across all channels: e‑mail, social media, website, and industry media.
  • Ensure brand consistency and professional presentation across all Foundation materials and platforms.
  • Manage the Promotions & Communications Committee staff lead; collaborate with the Committee Chair on content strategy.
  • Represent…