Chief Executive Officer

The Batten Group, a premier national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit, health, and mission-based philanthropy, has been retained by the Immune Deficiency Foundation to conduct a national search to identify professionals to lead the organization as their next Chief Executive Officer.    Chief Executive Officer   About the Immune Deficiency Foundation Founded in 1980, the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) improves the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life of people affected by primary immunodeficiency (PI) by fostering a community empowered by advocacy, education, and research. Primary Immunodeficiencies (PI) are a group of more than 400 rare, chronic disorders in which part of the body’s immune system is missing or functions improperly. There are approximately 250,000 people who are diagnosed with PI in the U.S., and thousands more go undetected.   IDF provides accurate and timely information for patients and families living with PI and offers valuable resources to them. IDF:

• Helps the patient and medical community gain a broader understanding of PI through education and outreach efforts;
• Promotes, participates in, and conducts research that has helped characterize PI and given patients and physicians substantially improved treatment options; and
• Addresses patient needs through public policy programs by focusing on issues such as insurance reimbursement, patient confidentiality, ensuring the safety and availability of immunoglobulin therapy, and maintaining and enhancing patient access to treatment options.

  Position Summary The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDF provides visionary, strategic leadership in partnership with the Board of Trustees and has operational responsibility for management of staff and implementation of essential foundation programs. In carrying out this duty, the CEO is responsible for advocating and furthering the mission and goals of the organization by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of action objectives and by adhering to the direction of the Board of Trustees. The CEO promotes and fosters the Foundation’s unique mission and proactively integrates technology, marketing, research, fundraising, and fiscal and strategic plans. The CEO cultivates an efficient, productive and accountable staff organization to assure attainment of objectives and value-add services to constituents. Through management and staff leadership, the CEO achieves economical, productive, and constructive growth of the Foundation.  The CEO will be a confident partner to the Board of Trustees and stakeholder communities and will play an important role in IDF’s transformation for its next stage of growth, service and impact.   Position Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads and energizes the Foundation’s operations and staff, to assure the development and implementation of programs that achieve IDF’s mission and broader purpose and Board-approved strategic goals, including the recruitment, retention and engagement of a diverse stakeholder community.
• Collaborates with the Board and staff to build IDF’s strategic direction. Builds upon and strengthens the existing strategic plan with new and innovative solutions.
• Maintains an effective, open and collaborative working relationship with the Board of Trustees. Works with Chair to focus Board meetings on topics of highest priority and provides Board members with appropriate information in a timely fashion. The CEO will share information necessary for the Board to make informed decisions on critical issues. The CEO engages Board members collectively and individually in communicating key challenges, opportunities, and trends affecting the organization and facilitates consensus among Board members on key issues.
• Becomes the face of IDF with a diverse constituency; governmental bodies and agencies; academic and research communities; and external coalitions, foundations, and organizations. Initiates and directs adequate communications among staff and Board of Trustees as necessary for the effective operations of the Foundation’s programs and services.
• Attracts, retains, motivates and develops IDF’s staff and fosters a collaborative, innovative culture.
• Seeks the most efficient and effective practices while adjusting work and initiatives in a prudent and thoughtful manner.
• Leads the organization’s senior management team, inspiring, energizing and empowering them in their roles. Cultivates cross-division collaboration and a culture of integrity, respect, teamwork, innovation, and results.
• Understands the value of pursuing new initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness to further the Foundation’s priorities.
• Assures the Board’s financial objectives are achieved, and the appropriate level of financial resources are available to fund objectives. The CEO works with the finance team to make sound financial decisions and recommendations based on a thorough understanding of the organization’s overall financial health, allocates financial and human resources to achieve the organization’s goals and objectives, and implements appropriate internal controls to protect the organization.
• Establishes administrative policies and procedures for IDF’s operations and facilities. The CEO will be personally accessible and invested in cultivating a positive culture aligned with the mission of IDF to support its constituents.
• Identifies and uses outside contractors to effectively manage resources and further the mission of the organization (such as, legal counsel, information technology support, and public relations agencies).

  Candidate Qualifications The ideal candidate will be an innovative, forward-thinking, seasoned executive with an outstanding record of accomplishment in leading organizations of at least similar size and complexity and building meaningful partnerships. The CEO will be capable of inspiring internal and external stakeholders and advocating for the importance of outreach and education to support the PI community. Experience working in close collaboration with a diverse volunteer Board of Trustees and staff is strongly desired. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualities and experience.

• Minimum of seven years’ experience in a senior leadership capacity within an established organization.
• A bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred with an emphasis on health, public policy, communications and/or public relations.
• Executive level experience in a nonprofit preferably in healthcare.
• Transformational leadership style combined with concrete management ability.
• Ability to command the confidence and respect of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated high level of emotional intelligence and intellectual curiosity and a desire to explore new ideas and innovative approaches to solving problems, as well as servant leadership qualities, working collaboratively with the President and Board to advance IDF’s mission and strategy.
• Unimpeachable integrity, a long-term perspective, a strong sense of accountability, a practical ability to get things done, wisdom and good judgment, the flexibility and courage to shift direction and experiment with new initiatives.
• A results-oriented leader with a strong business acumen who is a good manager of assets – people, money, and time. Senior leadership and management experience including strategic planning, financial management, marketing, professional conferences, programs, publications, and public policy.
• Track record building and leading a highly professional, collaborative and motivated senior team in a performance driven and results-oriented environment. Track record of attracting, developing, and empowering staff.
• Experience leading change in a dynamic environment. The ability to anticipate healthcare and education trends and developments and identify opportunities for IDF, especially during a time of uncertainty.
• Outstanding communications and interpersonal skills including the ability to relate well to a wide range of constituencies. The CEO should be effective at clearly articulating the IDF’s message and earning the respect of IDF's community.
• Skills necessary to work effectively with a broad range of constituent groups such as public and private organizations; federal and legislative policy and grant making bodies; governmental systems, educational institutions, and foundations; business/industry related to health care and education; other volunteer associations and professional organizations; patient groups; and the public.
• Passionate about helping and empowering people improve their health.
• Willingness to quickly become well-informed about primary immunodeficiency diseases.
• Knowledge of social service systems, existing and emerging health care settings, business practice areas, and education.
• Demonstrated experience of effectively supporting a volunteer Board of Trustees.
• Ability to travel to domestic and international meetings, as much as 30% of the time.

  IDF’s DIVERSITY STATEMENT We are rare, powerful, and inclusive. Like the stripes of a zebra, no two people are the same. At IDF, we celebrate this uniqueness every day. An inclusive, diverse, and fair workplace makes our community more powerful. As a commitment to these values, IDF requires business associates and vendors to have EEO and non-discrimination policies in place as a condition of partnering with our organization. The Immune Deficiency Foundation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.   POLICY ON PLACEMENT AND RECRUITMENT The Batten Group and IDF are equal opportunity employers committed to the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. Candidates will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information, disability, marital status or any other characteristic that is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.