Executive Director

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Act as the Foundation’s inaugural full-time employee and primary representative.

• Report directly to the Board Chair and collaborate closely with the leadership team at MISUMI Americas.

• Design and implement application, review, and award processes across three distinct grantmaking areas.

• Identify and assess potential grantees, determine award sizes and durations, and make funding decisions.

• Recruit supplier partners into the Founding, Growth, and Community tiers.

• Facilitate the Advisory Board, including biannual meetings to establish grant priorities and announce award recipients.

• Manage relationships with senior executives from major component manufacturers.

• Oversee the transition of the Foundation from fiscal sponsorship to an independent 501(c)(3) organization.

• Develop governance structures, policies, financial controls, audit readiness, and state charitable registrations.

• Define success metrics, gather measurement data, publish results, and compile the annual report.

• Represent the Foundation at conferences and educational institutions.

• Collaborate with the marketing team at MISUMI Americas on announcements and storytelling initiatives.

• Cultivate relationships with industry organizations, workforce coalitions, and peer funders.

• Define the scope and recruit for the Foundation’s next one to three positions.

• Launch and conclude the inaugural grant cycle.

• Secure the initial cohort of Founding Partners and conduct two Advisory Board meetings.

• Establish connections with universities, community colleges, and K–12 programs.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least seven years of experience in philanthropy, workforce development, education, or a closely related field.

• Direct responsibility for a grantmaking or scholarship program, including making funding decisions.

• Proven experience in building initiatives from the ground up, such as in a founding role, new program, or organization.

• Ability to engage credibly with deans from community colleges and executives from manufacturing firms.

• Proven track record in fundraising or partner development, including securing substantial funding.

• Familiarity with nonprofit governance and compliance, including 501(c)(3) regulations, fiscal sponsorship, board management, and charitable registration.

• Proficient writing skills for crafting grant guidelines, board documents, annual reports, and decline letters.

• Authentic interest in manufacturing and engineering education.

• Willingness to travel 25–30% of the year within the United States.

• Occasional international travel may be required.

• Reasonable accommodations will be considered for individuals with disabilities.

• Preferred but not mandatory: experience in engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades, or technical education pathways.

• Preferred but not mandatory: knowledge of funding for community colleges and technical programs, CTE, or registered apprenticeships.

• Preferred but not mandatory: connections with organizations such as FIRST, VEX, SkillsUSA, SME, NAM, the Manufacturing Institute, or similar entities.

• Preferred but not mandatory: experience within a corporate foundation or understanding the dynamics of a foundation-corporate parent relationship.

• Preferred but not mandatory: proficiency in Japanese or experience in cross-cultural interactions with U.S. and Japanese organizations.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary.

• Health insurance coverage.

• Retirement contribution plan.

• Paid time off.

• Remote-first work environment.

• Chance to establish a foundation from its initial grant, with dedicated capital and a mission-driven agenda.

• Extensive mandate to influence the Foundation as the talent pipeline evolves.