Chief Executive Officer

National Kidney Foundation•New York, NY

About The Position

Fueled by passion and urgency, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is a lifeline for all people affected by kidney disease. As pioneers of scientific research and innovation, NKF focuses on the whole patient through the lens of kidney health. Relentless in our work, we enhance lives through action, education, and accelerating change. The Chief Executive Officer is the leader for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). The CEO will build upon the NKF’s organizational success to further enhance its impact for patients, professionals, and the research community more broadly. Collaborating with key partners, associations, affiliates, and grassroots organizers, the CEO will ensure the NKF’s multi-disciplinary initiatives and programs continue to deliver on shared goals across the entire kidney care community. Building on the organization's impressive track record in kidney care, as a convener, and a credible advocate, the incoming CEO will elevate the NKF to new heights by expanding its brand and sharing compelling stories of impact to inspire a vast, diverse network of constituents. The CEO will focus on strategy, leading the team, and charting a visionary course for patients and professionals. With 75 years of research, breakthroughs in kidney care, and positive outcomes, the NKF is excellently positioned for significant impact. Alongside a passionate, committed Board of Directors and senior team, the next CEO is poised to advance the organization’s remarkable work and build upon its success.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience leading an organization through strategic planning, innovation, and evolution
Strong analytical skills, with experience using data to support decision-making and creation of initiatives in a distributed organizational model
Flexibility to create nuanced plans and objectives that adapt to the situation and/or partners at hand, while bringing to life an inspirational future for the organization as a whole
Experience leading the implementation of a strategic plan, achieving and outperforming multi-year goals through rigorous performance management
Strong track record of building systems and leveraging data insights to evolve programs in a timely manner
Capacity to set priorities and achieve goals, individually and for teams, while balancing financial prudence with innovation and risk-taking
Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts
Proven ability to recruit, mentor, lead, and develop a diverse, hybrid workforce, and a track record of building inclusive, high-performing and loyal teams; skilled at giving and receiving constructive feedback and holding teams accountable to outcomes
Demonstrated success in elevating a level of business acumen and performance orientation within a team
Exceptional communicator and flexible leader, with ability to adapt
A demonstrated track record of building on the credibility and respect of an organization, movement, and/or initiative through active listening, responsiveness, building strong relationships, and inspiring others to act
The intellectual depth, maturity, self-confidence, interpersonal skills and warmth to work effectively as a CEO of a complex, national and affiliate model, inspiring executive team members, board members, staff (national and local), congressional members and staff and donors by being a positive and unifying figure who can lead by influence
Excellent communication skills—both oral and written—with a reputation for building and maintaining relationships with people at all levels of an organization across a diverse range of backgrounds
An ability to represent the organization enthusiastically by speaking in public, in small groups, and at large events
A deep passion for the NKF’s mission and a strong dedication to patients and professionals
Engage effectively with the Board of Directors to ensure strategic alignment and leverage their expertise in guiding the NKF’s priorities
Facilitate regular strategic planning sessions with the Board, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. Work closely with the Board on innovative ways to address kidney care.
Ensure effective communication and collaboration between the executive team and the Board to drive organizational success
Must have unimpeachable integrity and trustworthiness while possessing a high degree of tact, discretion, and professionalism.
Must remain effective under pressure.

Nice To Haves

Track record in developing and leading effective strategy, inspiring a movement and coalition through powerful communication and collaboration, fundraising from diverse revenue streams, and leading high performing teams with strong accountability and performance management systems.
Agile and adaptable, and will come with a track record of responding successfully to external and internal headwinds and a rapidly changing landscape.
Possess a learning orientation and a curiosity of how to leverage tools including AI and cutting-edge technologies and resources to enhance the NKF’s work.
A natural relationship-builder, connector, strategist, advocate, and resource magnet.
Demonstrated commitment to the kidney care community and / or a personal connection to the mission.

Responsibilities

Leading the organization’s strategic planning efforts, ensuring sustainability, and facilitating innovation.
Operating as the chief spokesperson for the organization, inspiring and galvanizing key partners, patient and professional communities, affiliates, staff, donors, and more through compelling storytelling.
Effectively advocating for more government support and legislative advances in kidney care.
Pursuing and evaluating opportunities for innovation and evolution, maintaining a growth mindset and an orientation of curiosity and continuous learning.
Leading a high-performing, collaborative, mission-oriented team and culture.
Partnering closely with a Board of Directors and optimizing their engagement across committees and roles.
Staying current on trends in patient advocacy organizations and seeking opportunities for strategic partnerships and alliances.
Overseeing all verticals in a multi-disciplinary organization, maintain services and support strategic programmatic growth, appropriate staffing, robust support for partners, and operating within budgetary guidelines.
Creatively develop new funding streams and build strong donor relationships as the organization continues to scale its mission impact; closely partner with the development teams and the Board on pursuing and achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
Providing strategic oversight of teams and partners responsible for conducting research, managing studies, and developing assessment tools to evaluate outcomes and measure organizational impact.
Overseeing the annual budgeting process, reviewing monthly financial reports, overseeing the annual audit, and maintain knowledge and monitoring of all contractual obligations.