Executive Officer - National Academy of Engineering

Executive Officer Position at the National Academy of Engineering

The United States faces consequential challenges at the intersection of engineering, technology, and society, among them the need to transform engineering education to better meet the needs of U.S. industry and ensure long-term technology competitiveness for economic prosperity and national security. The National Academy of Engineering (NAE), part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, plays a critical role in advancing engineering leadership and informing national policy on engineering and technology. As Executive Officer (EO), reporting directly to the President of the NAE, you will lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of NAE programs and operations, enabling the NAE to fulfill its mission and contribute to the broader impact of the National Academies.

Working closely with the NAE President as a unified leadership team, you will directly oversee and manage six unit directors spanning programs, financial, administrative, membership, communications, and operational functions across a total staff of 30 with an operating budget of approximately $16MM. In consultation with the President and drawing on the expertise of staff, the governing Council, NAE membership, and other stakeholders, you will develop and implement management policies and operating practices that advance strategic initiatives. You will foster an environment where staff are empowered to excel and where member volunteers, among the most accomplished engineers in the country, find engagement with the NAE worthy of their time and expertise. You will be fully accountable for performance and results across all units and serve as the final authority on departmental and divisional policies, procedures, and contract compliance.

You will also play an active role in shaping the NAE's strategic direction and external influence, strengthening the NAE's ability to anticipate the needs of industry, academia, and government amid rapid technological change. You will monitor developments in engineering and related fields, identify emerging issues and opportunities, and help shape policy analyses, programs, and fundraising strategies. You will regularly engage senior leaders across government, industry, academia, and the nonprofit sector on matters of national and international importance, where sound judgment, discretion, and persuasion are essential.

The EO serves as First Assistant Secretary of the NAE Fund (NAEF) and Executive Secretary of The National Academies Corporation (TNAC). If an NAE member, the EO serves as an ex officio non-voting member of the NAE Council and may be appointed as an NAE Officer without voting privileges. When delegated by the President or Council, the EO may represent the NAE externally or serve as Interim President.

Responsibilities

Executive Management

• Oversee day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the NAE, ensuring alignment with National Academies institutional policies and practices.
• Directly supervise and support all NAE Directors, providing guidance and mentoring; fostering effective teamwork; and ensuring consistent adherence to institutional policies.
• Ensure secure handling of privileged, sensitive, classified, or controlled information; establish procedures and train staff accordingly.
• Oversee workforce planning, talent development, and performance management. With the concurrence of the NAE President, initiate personnel actions, including recruitment, hiring, performance and compensation reviews, and disciplinary actions.

Financial Oversight and Resource Development

• Work with the NAE President and Director of Finance to develop, approve, and manage financial plans and budgets. Shepherd the budget through the Council Finance Committee, chaired by the NAE Treasurer, and the NAE Council. Ensure operations meet approved budgetary constraints.
• Provide executive oversight of financial reporting, audits, internal controls, and risk management for NAE operations.
• Support NAE Compensation Committee activities.
• In partnership and coordination with the NAE President, NAE Vice President, and Senior Director of Development, actively seek and develop financial and in-kind support for NAE programs and activities, and steward sponsor relationships.

NAE Foundation (NAEF) Responsibilities

• As First Assistant Secretary of the NAEF, and subject to appointment by the NAEF Board, serve as an authorized representative for banking and investment transactions.
• Exercise delegated authority to accept unrestricted gifts or supplements to existing funds up to $1,000,000.
• Provide executive support to the NAEF Board of Directors as needed, including service on the Gift Acceptance Committee.

Governance (NAE Council) Support

• Support Council meetings and committees (including Finance, Development, Programs) as an ex officio member without a vote.
• Oversee and support annual Nominating Committee activities for officer and councilor elections.
• As Executive Secretary to The National Academies Corporation (TNAC), support the Beckman Center Advisory Board, including communications and meeting scheduling related to the Beckman Center in Irvine, California.

Member Engagement

• Oversee NAE membership functions (including elections and communications with members), in collaboration with the NAE Home Secretary and NAE International Secretary.
• Oversee and support the NAE Annual Meeting (each fall), including selection of plenary speakers and technical program chairs.
• Oversee and support the NAE National Meeting (each February), including selection of speakers and Gilbreth Lecturers.
• Oversee and support NAE Regional Meetings, including selection of local hosts and program chairs.
• Oversee and support Frontiers of Engineering symposia (U.S., U.S.–EU, U.S.–Japan, U.S.–Germany, U.S.–China), including selection of local hosts and program chairs.

Programmatic Oversight

• Oversee NAE programs and activities, with responsibility for initiating, executing, and disseminating the NAE's program portfolio.

Collaboration with the National Academies

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across National Research Council (NRC) centers and offices to sustain and grow the impact of the National Academies in fulfilling its mission, including by fostering cooperation and synergistic collaboration on convenings, studies, and projects pertaining to engineering and technology.
• Participate in the National Academies' Senior Leadership Forum and Direct Reports meetings as a representative of the NAE.

External Representation and Engagement

• As delegated by the NAE President and in the absence of the NAE President, represent the NAE in meetings and communications with government, industry, academia, and the nonprofit sector; help the NAE President develop and sustain productive external relationships.
• Recruit and support volunteers in service of the National Academies' mission.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in an operations, COO, or senior cross-functional management role (e.g., university provost or dean; corporate vice president or general manager; national laboratory director or equivalent) with responsibility for programmatic and financial oversight.
• An advanced degree in engineering or a related field. Must hold or be eligible to attain active TS-SCI clearance.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across institutions, exercise independent judgment, manage confidential and sensitive matters, and address problems of substantial scope and complexity.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to build effective teams, develop staff, and operate successfully in complex, mission-driven environments.
• Deep understanding of the mission, governance, and culture of the National Academies.
• Experience with philanthropic fundraising and external engagement across government and industry sectors is a plus. Experience with endowments and/or pension funds is a plus.

About the National Academy of Sciences

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, non-profit association composed of the nation's most distinguished scholars. Established by an Act of Congress and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science, engineering and medicine. The NAS charter commits the Academy to providing scientific advice to the government "whenever called upon" by any government department.

Today, the responsibilities assigned to NAS in 1863 are fulfilled by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), the National Academy of Medicine (NAM, formerly the Institute of Medicine) and the National Research Council (NRC). Collectively, they comprise an institution that is often referred to as the National Academies.

As the operating arm of the Academies, the National Research Council (NRC) conducts most of the policy studies done at the request of the government. The NRC performs its studies and workshops through four major centers: Center for Advancing Science and Technology, Center for Health, People, and Places, Gulf Research Program, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB).

Each year, more than 7,000 experts—including members of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of