CEO (Chief Executive Officer)

iDE • CO

82d • $250,000 - $250,000

About The Position

The Chief Executive Officer of iDE is responsible for the overall vision, leadership, and management of the organization. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO ensures iDE achieves its mission, advances its strategy, and sustains its financial health and organizational culture. The CEO will lead strategic transformation, strengthen stakeholder and donor relationships, foster organizational resilience in a changing global environment, and ensure iDE remains at the forefront of market-based development. This individual will be a visible ambassador for iDE, representing the organization externally with donors, governments, private sector partners, and peer organizations, while also serving as a trusted partner to the Board and a supportive leader for staff across geographies.

Requirements

• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience, with at least 10 years in senior executive roles.
• Proven success leading international NGOs, social enterprises, or global organizations of comparable size and complexity.
• Demonstrated success in fund development and donor engagement, including bilateral/multilateral donors, foundations, and private sector partnerships.
• Track record of leading organizational transformation, change management, and strategic repositioning.
• Financial management expertise, including experience with multi-country budgets and donor compliance.
• International experience required; significant time living/working in iDE’s regions of operation strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in international development, business administration, public policy, or related field preferred. Equivalent leadership experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead iDE in refining and executing our impact strategy
• Anticipate external trends and challenges in international development, social enterprise, and impact investment; position iDE to adapt and thrive.
• Ensure alignment of global programs, social enterprises, and innovation initiatives with strategic goals.
• Lead the design and implementation of strategies that merge human-centered design with transformative thinking to create sustainable programmatic impact.
• Serve as iDE’s chief ambassador with donors, investors, governments, and partners.
• Strengthen and diversify iDE’s funding base, with an emphasis on cultivating major individual and corporate donors, bilateral and multilateral partners, foundations & institutions, and private-sector collaborations.
• Champion the impact of iDE’s work through storytelling, thought leadership, and public speaking at high-profile events.
• Lead iDE through ongoing transformation, including financial challenges, staffing shifts, and structural changes.
• Balance iDE’s entrepreneurial spirit with sound governance, risk management, and compliance practices.
• Foster agility, innovation, and collaboration across global teams.
• Ensure the organization’s financial sustainability and transparency.
• Oversee global budgeting, risk management, and alignment of resources to strategy.
• Partner with the Board Finance Committee and VP of Finance to maintain strong fiscal health, including navigating donor requirements and currency complexities.
• Inspire and motivate a global workforce of over 1,000 employees and social enterprise staff.
• Champion diversity, inclusion, and belonging across all offices.
• Partner with the Headquarters Executive Team and Country Directors to build leadership succession planning across the organization, nurture talent, and ensure staff engagement and trust during a period of change.
• Uphold iDE’s culture of humility, empathy, and entrepreneurial drive.
• Partner closely with the Board of Directors, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment on mission and strategy.
• Provide regular updates on organizational performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Engage the Board as strategic thought partners while ensuring management retains operational accountability.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Short- and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Generous PTO policy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Master's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees