openid.net

The OpenID Foundation seeks an Executive Director with the passion to provide strategic leadership and vision for “an open Internet.” He/She should be motivated by the Foundation’s ability to connect people, technology and social possibilities. The OpenID community is made up of tens of millions of  users, hundreds of contributors that are creating new technologies to ensure choice and promote innovation on the Internet. In addition to the community-elected board members, the OpenID Foundation also has corporate board members such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, VeriSign and Yahoo.  The Foundation is poised and ready to move to the next level which will focus on delivering solutions that meet the mission/vision of the organization.

Leadership

• Serves as spokesperson for the organization and must be able to articulate and promote the OpenID Foundation’s vision and mission.
• Provides strong and innovative leadership in an ‘open source’ environment with hands-on experience in running an organization, and developing and implementing programs.
• Leads the long-range and strategic planning process of the Board of Directors, ensuring that benchmarks are established for measuring success and that the planning cycles recur as appropriate.
• Implements and evaluates the action plan based on the approved strategic goals and opportunities.

Management/Program

• A proven decision maker with the ability to set priorities, manage, and implement them.
• Develops, establishes and maintains strong relationships with the OpenID community.
• Creates and develops programs within the Foundation to help promote OpenID.
• Develops strategic partnerships with appropriate organizations/people to advance the access and ease of the Internet.
• Creates and encourages a collegial and participatory work environment where trust, integrity and open communication are valued.

Community and Board Development

• Represents a strong cadre of volunteers, assuring their integration into the organization, culture, and leadership of the Foundation.
• Provide avenues for full and open communication and collaboration with the community at large and promote an awareness of the diverse and changing needs of the community.
• Initiates and encourages collaboration and cooperation among other organizations and leaders. Assists in building a shared vision of how to address and solve issues related to the Internet.
• Develops Board meeting agendas, in collaboration with the Board Chair, and regularly provides information to the Board on activities in relation to the mission and progress toward the strategic goals adopted by the Board.
• Provides information and recommendations to the Board for setting or revising the Foundation’s goals and objectives, operating policies, strategic planning and grant making priorities.

• 5 years’ senior management experience in either the not-for-profit or for-profit environments that are technology driven.
• Strong understanding of Web 2.0 tools and technologies.
  
• Experience with open source and open specification environments is highly desirable.
• Ability to channel and synthesize expectations and needs of multiple constituencies including users, developers and volunteers.
• Should have an open and inclusive management style and be comfortable with working and resolving issues “in a fishbowl.”
• He/she should have a high level of comfort and passion for technology and a sense of the possibilities of the Internet.
• Experience in working with an international community of people and organizations.
• A highly regarded professional stature and credibility, coupled with strong leadership skills.
• Effective at leading and managing highly independent and self-motivated employees and volunteers.
• The ability to prioritize and tackle multiple tasks and see the “big picture” are key. Maturity and sound judgment are essential.
• Experience in setting strategic direction and driving it.

• Inspiring, creative and visionary about the Internet.
• Entrepreneurial style and spirit.
• Enjoys being in the company of technical people.
• Excellent communicator with all people at every level, a leader and bridge builder.
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities.
• Good judgment and consensus building skills.