Job Summary

This position leads strategy, innovation, and integration of new technology initiatives within the Future Directions Committee. The primary goals are to develop and implement an ecosystem of IEEE products and services that will create a sustainable environment to be monetized in the IEEE infrastructure across its operational units. The key components of this position are program management, development, execution, strategic planning, technical research, and continuous improvement within Future Directions. The Program Director defines and oversees new initiatives within the Future Direction Committee's scope. Initiatives are established in the areas of new, emerging, or existing technologies. Initiatives develop and deliver new events, publications, educational courses, and roadmaps while building a community of like-minded individuals. These establish a comprehensive initiative ecosystem. Business functions include the creation and management of proposal requests, program organization, and the discovery and inclusion of IEEE volunteers to lead the initiative. The Program Director supports volunteers, is responsible for the initiative and its program, and is accountable for every aspect of the initiative both business and project related.

A new initiative will develop communities of individuals, who engage in the creation and deployment of new IEEE products and services. The Future Directions Program Director leads volunteer initiative teams and presents program evaluations to the Future Directions Committee and the Future Directions staff. An initiative tracks and measures its results, reports metrics, and implements continuous improvements that others in Future Directions may also take advantage of in their work. When an initiative completes its incubation cycle the Program Director leads the transition of the initiative into the IEEE infrastructure. All aspects of transition are to be completed no later than October 1 of the year prior to transition.

This work requires the integration of substantially complex functional areas of expertise. The incumbent continually identifies needs, recommends actions, and defines requirements, resources, and plans that will impact long-term operational goals and practices. The incumbent working with volunteers and the Future Directions Committee identifies, develops, and provides solutions in order to migrate an initiative from inception through incubation as its lifecycle progresses.

A Program Director is expected to manage multiple Future Directions Initiatives and may at times be asked to manage areas at the IEEE board level having an affinity with an existing Future Directions initiative.

This position reports to the IEEE Future Directions Senior Director.

Candidates are required to hold United States citizenship and must work in the continental United States. Candidates may be considered for telecommuting based on their commuting distance from the IEEE New Jersey office.

Program Management - 85%

• The Future Directions Program Director is responsible to lead multiple Future Directions initiatives.
• Organizes, coordinates, and co-develops various initiative work activities with the volunteer(s). These may include white papers, marketing, sales and communication materials, web development, community building, standards projects, conferences, publications, roadmaps, educational courses, and other products or services. The Program Director and volunteers are responsible for an initiative’s full funding proposal.
• The Future Directions Program Director is responsible for an initiative’s business plan. Builds a portfolio of sustainable initiative assets, communicates, and offers solutions to management for unanticipated financial and or technical issues, and works for the Senior Director of Future Directions.
• In summary the Future Directions Program Director leads an initiative life cycle beginning with research, moving to operation, and ultimately to transition.

Strategic Planning - 5%

• The Future Directions Program Director is responsible for Strategic Planning.
• Works directly with the Future Directions team to formulate new business strategies and technical recommendations for new initiatives. A monthly update and brief is presented and discussed with the Future Directions Committee.
• Delivers IEEE strategic plans for emerging technologies that are approved by the Future Directions Committee; develops strategies to integrate new products and services within existing IEEE Operational Units. This is accomplished through collaboration, working with the Future Directions Committee and its Industry Advisory Board well as existing initiative Future Direction teams.

Technical Research - 5%

• The Future Directions Program Director is responsible for individual technical research. Specifically independent research on new and or emerging technologies that may become initiatives.
• The Future Directions Program Director supports volunteers who submit their own research on new and emerging technologies. Assist and curate the volunteer proposals so that they may be presented and discussed with the Future Directions Committee.
• May be asked to write and publish new research white papers and or briefs for the Future Directions Committee. A white paper is used to bring together a wide IEEE audience to determine if new business strategies and technical recommendations may be considered to become a Future Directions initiative.

IT Procurement, Budget Management - 5%

• Manages the IT initiative and any other procurement contracts. Ensures procurement requirements are up to date with an initiative program expectation.
• Responsible for all master service agreements within an initiative. Manages and controls initiative invoices and volunteer/staff expenses.
• Responsible for all initiative memorandums of understanding across units working with Future Directions, including those that are executed during an initiatives transition year.
• Travel - Domestic and international travel of 40% may be required.

• Working outside of one’s time zone as well as on weekends is required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Engineering or Science; or a 4-year technical degree required
• Master's or other advanced degree in Engineering, Science, or Business preferred
• Ph.D. in Engineering or Science preferred

Work Experience

• 10-15 years of related industry or academic experience in a STEM field required
• 7-10 years of work with a mix of both staff and volunteers

Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Project Manager preferred.

Skills and Requirements

• Strong project management skills
• Budgeting skills required, willingness to train in the IEEE systems
• Ability to both develop and deliver presentations, face-to-face or virtually using common tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Seasoned leadership skills
• Diplomacy, tact, and influence in order to gain support for achieving the program's operational goals
• Must be a technologically savvy worker with specific proficiency in Association Management Systems; Google environment including Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Drive; Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Flexible, willing to take on independent work as well as working in a team environment.
• Able to take direction from multiple sources including volunteers, co-workers IEEE legal counsel, and IEEE Senior Management.
• Willing to as needed (full or part-time) in corporate offices

NOTICE: Common Agenda, LLP has been exclusively retained on behalf of the IEEE to conduct a search for this position. Please send a resume and cover letter to: Laurel Iamundo, Manager, Client Relations (liamundo@commonagenda.com). We will consider exceptions to the location and residency requirements for outstanding candidates

For information on the work demands and conditions required for this position, please consult the reference document, "Physical, Mental, and Work Environment Standards for IEEE Positions." This position is classified under Category I - Office Positions.

IEEE is an EEO/AAP Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled
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Disclaimer: This job description is proprietary to IEEE. It outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.