Executive Director, The Olson Institute of Public Democracy

Title: Executive Director, The Olson Institute of Public Democracy

Position Number: 100033 

Unit/Department: 

FTE: 100%

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications of the selected candidate 

Department Summary:

The Olson Institute for Public Democracy (OIPD) seeks an outstanding Executive Director (ED) to lead the institute into the future. Acting with integrity and a deep commitment to the OPID mission, the ED provides leadership to affiliated colleagues, Public Democracy student scholars, and its National Advisory Council to further the organization’s impact. The ED reports directly to the University President.

Located on the Drake University campus in Des Moines, Iowa, the Executive Director will provide day-to-day leadership of the OIPD in service to its mission and will be responsible for the overall strategic, programmatic, and financial success of the organization. The ED will have an opportunity to grow the reach, impact, and relevance of the Institute.

The Executive Director will drive the OIPD’s ongoing growth and impact in serving as a hub for democratic discourse, dialogue, and action focused on renewing a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. The ED will prioritize collaborative, innovative, and novel approaches to initiating and sustaining multi-dimensional public participation and civic leadership within the Drake University community and across the broader public.

The Executive Director will have a passion for the OIPD commitment to reclaim the American project of forming a more perfect union. The ED will demonstrate an enthusiasm for fostering cooperation, facilitating dialogue, and inspiring others to become more engaged in our democracy. The ideal leader will work actively to create a culture that is inspiring, inviting, and accessible – and will model a way of engaging with others to strengthen our democratic values, practices, and institutions.

Job Summary:

STRATEGIC FOCUS
• Advance the OPID’s strategic vision to be a recognized leader in promoting democracy and government of the people, by the people, and for the people through robust education, civic leadership, and community engagement.
• Be a respected public voice on and off campus for the value and integrity of democracy and the contributions of the OIPD.
• In collaboration with senior leadership, campus colleagues, and the OIPD National Advisory Council and staff, provide and maintain strategic focus for the organization, identifying and implementing initiatives that further its mission and goals.
• Advance the OIPD’s prominence and impact as a location on and off campus for democratic discourse, dialogue, and action through programming, research, and assessment.
• Identify and execute strategic partnerships that enhance the OIPD’s reach, impact, and capacity.
• Be an effective leader, ambassador, and relationship builder with a diverse array of local, national, and international constituencies, from students to policymakers to peers and partner institutions.

LEADERSHIP & OPERATIONS
• Foster a shared culture across the organization, ensuring that staff, student scholars, campus collaborators, and the National Advisory Council act with purpose, grounded in inclusivity, transparency, accountability, and excellence.
• Lead the Public Democracy Scholars Program by recruiting and retaining a talented group of undergraduate students, delivering impactful programming, and mentoring scholars to be effective campus and community leaders.
• Manage the Cownie Practitioner-in-Residence program, to include cultivating potential talent, hiring and overseeing the position, and connecting the Practitioner with students and campus colleagues.
• Provide day-to-day leadership for all operational and administrative aspects of the OIPD, including budgeting, fundraising, and personnel.
• Develop and implement plans and budgets to achieve the OIPD’s revenue needs including meeting annual financial targets and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

FUNDRAISING & REVENUE GENERATION
• In collaboration with the President and Vice President for Advancement, actively lead and participate in fundraising and development activities, to include building and sustaining positive relationships with existing and potential donors.
• Identify and pursue grant funding to support OIPD initiatives, working with campus partners as appropriate.
• Steward relationships and strategic partnerships to increase the OIPD’s capacity and sustainability.
• Report periodically to the donors or their designees on the impact of philanthropic gifts.

RELATIO