Job Description

Overview

President & CEO

• National Academy of Public Administration
• May 07, 2024
• Washington, DC

About the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) is the pre-eminent authority providing expert advice to government leaders to build and manage more effective, efficient, equitable, accountable, and transparent organizations. NAPA is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 1967, chartered by Congress in 1984. The Academy advances the field of public administration through thought leadership, research studies, and projects focused on practical and actionable change.

Its vision is a just, fair, and inclusive government that strengthens communities and protects democracy. The Academy builds trust in government and helps agencies and public administrators deliver at the highest levels for all citizens. The Fellows program is a core component, with 1,000+ Fellows providing independent thought leadership, studies, advisory services, and stakeholder engagement.

• Fellows provide independent thought leadership, in-depth studies, advisory services, congressional testimony, forums and conferences, and stakeholder engagement.

The work of the Fellows and the broader work of NAPA includes:

• Funded Studies: Conducts evidence-based studies for federal agencies on topics including DEIB, science and governance, intergovernmental coordination, and public oversight. To view the full library of studies, please visit the Academy website.
• Events, Standing Panels, & Working Groups: Hosts webinars and conferences; convenes six Standing Panels focusing on key issues; panels meet regularly to produce thought leadership.
• Strategic Initiatives: Incubates ideas via Center for Intergovernmental Partnerships (CIP), Agile Government Center, and Grand Challenges of Public Administration. The Grand Challenges focus on democracy, development, sustainability, and governance in the 2020s.

The Opportunity

In the months ahead, NAPA will welcome its next leader as part of a planned succession to current President & CEO Terry Gerton. The next CEO will officially take the helm in January 2025. The role is to lead a congressionally chartered, mission-driven organization and guide its next chapter of impact. The Academy seeks an experienced, strategic, and mission-driven executive to lead the organization at a critical time for government and public administration.

The President & CEO will work across boundaries partnering with government, policymakers, academics, and practitioners to serve the American people. They will work with the Board, Fellows, staff, and partners to develop a strategic approach to achieve the organizations goals of impact and advance its mission. A key aspect is embracing and evolving the strategic plan to ensure continued relevance and maximum impact.

Key responsibilities include leading a team of 39 staff (including eight direct reports) and working from NAPAs headquarters in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities include:

• Visionary & Strategic Leadership
  • Provide overall strategic, operational, financial, and managerial leadership for NAPA, including oversight of approximately $7.5M annual operating budget.
  • Develop strong partnerships with the Board, Fellows, staff, and external stakeholders.
  • Shape a compelling vision for the organizations future in collaboration with the Board.
  • Build coalitions with academics, practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
  • Engage and energize the Fellows through innovative engagement strategies.
  • Remain a thought leader in public administration and governance; monitor trends.
  • Establish systems to evaluate NAPAs work and impact.
  • Leverage technology to advance the Academys goals.
• People & Operational Leadership
  • Cultivate a culture of trust, performance, and learning.
  • Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
  • Align operations, budget, and workflows to deliver outcomes efficiently.
  • Make NAPA a destination for top talent from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ensure resources are used effectively to advance NAPAs mission.
• External Relations, Revenue Generation, & Fundraising
  • Represent NAPA externally, strengthen brand, and position as a thought leader.
  • Maintain relationships with Congress and federal agencies; manage federal contracts and studies.
  • Lead financial strategy to diversify earned revenue and contracts across government levels.
  • Grow philanthropic funding for the Endowment and other initiatives.
  • Diversify funding to sustain long-term financial health.

Candidate Profile

Ideal candidate is a strategic, inclusive, and mission-driven leader with a track record of organizational growth and fundraising. The profile outlines several focus areas:

• Strategic & Visionary Leader
  • Develop a clear long-term vision and inspire stakeholders to achieve it.
  • Lead strategic planning and resource alignment.
  • Anticipate future issues and position NAPA accordingly.
  • Apply a growth mindset and evaluate projects for impact.
• Inclusive & Collaborative Leader
  • Build cross-stakeholder relationships and serve as a credible ambassador.
  • Engage Fellows and harness their energy for impact.
  • Foster non-partisan dialogue on governances future.
  • Be a systems thinker and coalition-builder; promote DEI.
• Fundraising & Business Development
  • Elevate the Academys brand and leadership profile.
  • Diversify funding through contracts, philanthropy, and partnerships.
  • Position NAPA as a thought leader and translate complex issues for diverse audiences.
• Operational Leader
  • Strong business acumen with financial planning and budgeting experience.
  • Lead distributed teams and drive performance through change.
• Public Service & Constituencies
  • Navigate a polarized environment while maintaining non-partisan status.
  • Commit to just, fair, and inclusive government with integrity.

Core Values

NAPAs core values include:

• Excellence
• Independence
• Integrity
• Innovation
• Inclusion

The National Academy of Public Administration is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages expressions of interest from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. The compensation for this role is expected to range from $350,000-$450,000, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Contact

Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement, led by Cheryl Stevens and Claire Hunt. Express interest by contacting the search team directly at the email provided on the posting. Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities; see the posting for details on how to request accommodations.

About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group: Koya Partners is part of Diversified Search Group, focusing on mission-driven leadership. More information is available on their site.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs