President/Chief Executive Officer
Women In International Security (WIIS), Washington D.C.
Women In International Security (WIIS) seeks a dynamic and dedicated individual to lead the premier global network advancing women’s leadership and professional development in international peace and security.
WIIS’ new President & CEO will help the organization realize its mission to improve international peace and security by promoting gender and advancing leadership opportunities for women in the international security sector.
For the last thirty-six years, WIIS has provided professional development opportunities, led gender equality research projects and policy engagement initiatives, hosted significant events, and nurtured a community of influential mentors, advocates, experts, and leaders. WIIS has helped women secure representation at the highest levels of private and public service, including as security leaders, ambassadors, Secretary of State, special representatives, and defense ministers, in the United States, the European Union, NATO, and Fortune 500 companies. The network spans nearly 60 countries across six continents and comprises over 15,000 supporters dedicated to a single ambitious goal: closing the global gender equality gap.
Over the past several years, WIIS has undergone a period of strategic growth. The budget and staff size have quadrupled; funding has been increased and diversified; the global footprint has been enlarged with affiliates opening in Mexico, Latvia, Albania, Denmark, Nigeria, and Rwanda, and the branding and institutional systems have been modernized. WIIS is seeking a leader who is well-positioned to maximize the benefits of this progress, stewarding the next phase of organizational maturation, leading a strategic planning process, facilitating board expansion, and driving further budgetary growth while boldly navigating the challenging political and financial realities facing the non-profit sector.
Position Description: The President/Chief Executive Officer is responsible for developing a strategic vision for the organization, overseeing its overall management, maintaining and expanding membership and the global network of affiliate organizations, establishing research priorities, and securing funding for operational and project support. The President/Chief Executive Officer leads the organization, overseeing day-to-day management and ensuring that WIIS accomplishes its mission. Working with the Board of Directors, they will set priorities, realize programs, and evaluate policies in support of the mission. The President/ Chief Executive Officer oversees the hiring and supervision of staff.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Oversee the development/OR develop a Strategic Plan for the organization for the next five years.
- Develop a revenue pipeline to ensure a stable financial position.
- Oversee development, prioritization, implementation, and evaluation of annual work plans for WIIS goals and objectives.
- Serve as the primary spokesperson for WIIS, responding to media requests and writing articles for publication.
- Oversee and ensure the appropriate staffing of projects and contracts that support WIIS’s strategic goals.
- Establish and cultivate synergistic relationships with affiliates, chapters, and partner organizations, thereby advancing our shared objectives.
- Cultivate and expand WIIS membership.
- Represent the organization externally.
- Manage the organization’s resources (i.e., financial, human, etc.)
Fund Development
- Develop an annual operational plan for fundraising
- Initiate and oversee all fundraising efforts.
- Cultivate individual donors and institutional relationships, including grant proposals to finance operational and project activities.
Fiscal Management
- Serve as the main point of contact for financial management services, including accounting and auditing.
- Create and execute an annual budget.
- Provide financial oversight, including review of financial reports and presentations to the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors Relationship
- Build and maintain an effective working relationship with the Board.
- Work with the Board Treasurer to ensure proper financial oversight.
- Regularly report to the board on all organizational activities and initiatives.
- Attend all board meetings on an ex-officio basis.
Operations and Human Resources Management
- Provide oversight of day-to-day operations.
- Collaborate closely with staff to develop processes and procedures for implementing programs, and consider the appropriate delegation of tasks.
- Oversee contracts with consultants and vendors.
- Solicit pro bono resources as needed and maintain relationships with pro bono vendors, including law firms, law schools, and partner organizations.
- Oversee organizational risk management efforts, including insurance coverage and legal liability.
Position Requirements
- Master’s degree in international security or related fields
- Dedication to women’s leadership and professional development in the field of international security broadly defined
- Strong track record in fundraising and grants development
- Demonstrated expertise in conducting research and writing for a policy audience
- Effective communication skills
- Experience in managing a non-profit organization and/or relevant program experience; experience managing a membership organization or trade association is preferred.
Salary Range
This is a flex-time position, which can be structured to improve work-life balance and productivity, has an annual base salary of $70,000.00 with opportunities for increases based on fundraising success.
How to Apply
To be considered for this position, please submit the following materials to [email protected] to complete your application.
Applications must include:
- Letter of application
- Resume
- Three references, including email and telephone contact information.
We will start considering applications on a rolling basis, with the final due date of June 8th, 2025.
WIIS is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers, program participants, and the broader community. WIIS values and seeks diversity and inclusion in its activities, encouraging women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and members of other historically underrepresented groups to apply. WIIS will not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training, and other terms or conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability status, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, political affiliation, genetic information, protected veteran status, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.