Executive Director, MISUMI Imprint Foundation

Fictiv

2d•$215,000 - $250,000•Remote

About The Position

The Executive Director is the founding leader and first full-time employee of the MISUMI Imprint Foundation, a corporate giving organization launched in October 2026 with a $2 million seed investment from MISUMI Americas. The Foundation funds people and programs that develop the engineering, manufacturing, and supply-chain workforce through three areas: need-based scholarships and access, maker programs, and industry–academia bridges. It launched under the fiscal sponsorship of the SME Education Foundation and has filed for independent 501(c)(3) public charity status. The Executive Director will establish and lead the Foundation’s grantmaking, partner co-investment program, measurement and reporting, external relationships, and transition to independent nonprofit operations. The role reports to the Board Chair and works closely with MISUMI Americas leadership. The Executive Director sets the Foundation’s day-to-day direction and serves as its public representative to educational institutions, industry partners, and the press. The role will also build the team as grant volume warrants. First-year priorities include completing the inaugural grant cycle; securing the first cohort of Founding Partners and holding two Advisory Board meetings; completing the 501(c)(3) determination and operational transition from fiscal sponsorship; publishing a measurement framework and first annual report; and establishing relationships with selected universities, community colleges, and K–12 programs. The position is remote-first and involves travel to campuses, partner sites, MISUMI Americas offices, Advisory Board meetings, and industry conferences. The stated travel expectation is 25–30% annually within the United States, with occasional international travel as the Foundation’s work expands.

Requirements

Seven or more years of experience in philanthropy, workforce development, education, or a closely adjacent field.
Direct ownership of a grantmaking or scholarship program, including making funding decisions.
Experience building an organization or program from the beginning, such as in a founding role or by taking a program from idea to operation.
Comfort working with ambiguity.
Ability to communicate credibly with community college deans and manufacturing executives.
A track record in fundraising or partner development, including asking for significant funding and securing commitments.
Working knowledge of nonprofit governance and compliance, including 501(c)(3) requirements, fiscal sponsorship, board management, and charitable registration.
Clear writing skills for grant guidelines, board materials, annual reports, and applicant communications.
Genuine interest in manufacturing and engineering education; an engineering degree is not required.
Ability to travel 25–30% annually within the United States; occasional international travel may occur.

Nice To Haves

Background in engineering, manufacturing, or the skilled trades, or lived experience of a technical education pathway.
Familiarity with community college and technical program funding, career and technical education (CTE), or registered apprenticeships.
Relationships with FIRST, VEX, SkillsUSA, SME, NAM, the Manufacturing Institute, or similar organizations.
Experience inside a corporate foundation or navigating the relationship between a foundation and its corporate parent.
Japanese language ability or experience working across U.S. and Japanese organizations.

Responsibilities

Design and operate grant application, review, and award processes across the Foundation’s three program areas.
Source and evaluate grantees, set award sizes and durations, make funding decisions, and explain decisions to fund and decline applicants.
Recruit supplier partners into the Founding, Growth, and Community Partner tiers of the co-investment program.
Run the Advisory Board, which meets twice yearly to set grant priorities and jointly announce awards.
Manage relationships with senior executives at major component manufacturers.
Work with counsel and the board to transition the Foundation from fiscal sponsorship to standalone 501(c)(3) operations, including governance, policies, financial controls, audit readiness, and state charitable registrations.
Define measures of success, build data-tracking processes, publish results, and produce the Foundation’s annual report.
Represent the Foundation at conferences and on campuses; work with MISUMI Americas marketing on announcements and storytelling; and build relationships with industry bodies, workforce coalitions, and peer funders.
Scope and hire the Foundation’s next one to three roles as grant volume justifies.
Complete the inaugural grant cycle, secure the first Founding Partners, hold two Advisory Board meetings, complete the nonprofit transition, publish the measurement framework and first annual report, and establish institutional relationships with education programs.
Travel 25–30% annually within the United States for campus and grantee visits, partner visits, Advisory Board convenings, MISUMI Americas offices, and industry conferences; occasional international travel may be required.