President & Chief Executive Officer

The Network Advertising Initiative is a self-regulatory association for the digital advertising industry. The NAI represents ad-tech companies and supports members through practical guidance, policy advocacy, education, privacy accountability, and engagement with policymakers, regulators, and industry partners.

The organization has historically served as a leading self-regulatory body for digital advertising and is adapting its model in response to state privacy laws, changes in the ad-tech ecosystem, and evolving expectations for member accountability.

Organization Overview

The Network Advertising Initiative is a self-regulatory association for the digital advertising industry. The NAI represents ad-tech companies and supports members through practical guidance, policy advocacy, education, privacy accountability, and engagement with policymakers, regulators, and industry partners.

The organization has historically served as a leading self-regulatory body for digital advertising and is adapting its model in response to state privacy laws, changes in the ad-tech ecosystem, and evolving expectations for member accountability.

Role Summary

The President & CEO is responsible for overall strategic and operational leadership and management. This person will navigate and lead the NAI through a transformative regulatory landscape and strategic evolution, with responsibility for setting organizational direction, strengthening member value, overseeing all fiscal matters, and strengthening NAI’s credibility with members, regulators, policymakers, and peer industry organizations. The CEO will report to the Board of Directors.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop a strategy to expand the NAI’s role as the leading ad‑tech industry association, including how NAI’s Self‑Regulatory Framework should evolve in response to AI and other emerging technologies.
• Help guide the evolution of the NAI’s self‑regulation considering the expanding U.S. privacy legal framework and increased state regulatory and enforcement activity.
• Translate Board priorities into actionable organizational plans around member value, advocacy, accountability, and operational sustainability.

Member Value, Recruitment, and Retention

• Strengthen engagement with existing members, including consistent communication with member-company executive leadership.
• Develop a plan to enhance member recruitment and retention strategy, including clearly articulating NAI’s value proposition to recruit and retain members, in particular among larger ad‑tech participants.
• Develop a strong understanding of what services NAI members want from the organization, including a broad cross‑section of members.

Financial and Operational Management

• Oversee NAI’s financial health, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation in partnership with staff, accountants, and the Board of Directors.
• Provide detailed reporting to the Board of Directors on financial performance, expense trends, membership revenue, and budget forecasts.

External Relations and Public Presence

• Serve as a credible public‑facing representative for NAI with regulators, legislators, media, members, and industry audiences.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with other industry organizations and relevant partners.
• Represent NAI at events, in public commentary, and in other forums to increase visibility and thought leadership.

Policy, Regulatory, and Compliance Leadership

• Guide NAI’s engagement with the FTC, state attorneys general, and all regulatory developments affecting the ad‑tech industry.
• Support NAI’s guidance, advocacy, and education functions for members navigating complex privacy and compliance issues.
• Help determine the role of membership criteria, privacy reviews, principles, and accountability expectations as NAI’s self‑regulatory model continues to evolve.

Desired Experience

• Senior leadership in a trade association, nonprofit, policy organization, regulated industry, or ad‑tech/privacy organization, supervisory or regulatory authority.
• Demonstrated understanding of digital advertising, programmatic advertising, identity, consent, data privacy, ad‑tech business models and the broader self‑regulatory ecosystem.
• Experience managing budgets, nonprofit or trade association finances, and revenue diversification beyond membership dues.
• Experience working with regulators, policymakers, state attorneys general, the FTC, or equivalent public policy stakeholders, with the credibility to represent industry positions effectively.
• Experience speaking publicly on behalf of an organization or industry during periods of scrutiny, transition, or reputational risk, understanding the relationship between balancing commercial needs with new regulations and compliance obligations.
• Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors while also leading staff and day‑to‑day operations.

Desired Attributes

• Strategic but pragmatic
• Credible with industry and regulators
• Strong communicator and public spokesperson
• Comfortable with legal, policy, technical, and commercial tensions
• Financially disciplined and operationally transparent
• Collaborative with staff and Board members
• Able to define a compelling value proposition for NAI membership
• Effective during organizational transition

Compensation and Location

Compensation: To range from $350k-$375k commensurate on experience with the potential for a 20% bonus.

Location: Washington, DC preferred, other U.S. locations considered.