Executive Director

Position description

The Fulbright Association seeks a visionary and experienced Executive Director (E.D.) to elevate its visibility and increase its impact. Established in 1977, the Fulbright Association is the U.S. alumni association for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Through lifelong learning, the Fulbright Association connects 140,000 alumni and friends of international education to increase visibility of the U.S. Student Program and preserve Fulbright’s exchanges for future generations. 

The Fulbright Association awards the high-profile annual J. William Fulbright Prize, celebrating the advancement of peace through international understanding. Past recipients include Nelson Mandela, President Jimmy Carter, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Bono. In addition, the Fulbright Association hosts an annual conference, an annual Youth Summit, and Fulbright in the Classroom, which connects alumni with K-12 classrooms in under-resourced communities. 

The Fulbright Association is affiliated with more than 50 regional and state chapters, each with their own membership and governance structures, which host a range of educational events, career development seminars, and volunteer activities. Learn more at fulbright.org. 

Leadership Opportunity

Working closely with the Board of Directors and a talented professional team, the E.D. will implement a cohesive strategy that integrates ambitious programming, meaningful member engagement, successful advocacy achievements, and strong fundraising outcomes. 

As the Association approaches its 50th anniversary, the E.D. will champion a bold vision that ensures programs and resources meet members’ needs and advocate for the essential role that international exchange and education play in advancing international peace and cooperation. 

The E.D. will ensure the Association’s ambitious plans are grounded in financial reality. An eager fundraiser, they will identify opportunities to strengthen the organization’s base of recurring revenue through membership, major gifts, foundations, and corporate sponsors.

A consensus-oriented and collaborative leader, the E.D. will model an inclusive and positive organizational culture that extends across the staff, board, and chapter leaders. The E.D. reports to the Board of Directors and directs a team of five senior professionals responsible for communications, programs, fundraising, and member relations. Key responsibilities include:

Vision, Strategy, and Leadership

• Working closely with the board, enact a bold approach to elevate and expand the Association’s reach and impact among members, policymakers and donors. 

• Set and implement the strategy’s annual goals, tactics, business plans, and budgets.

• Establish strong working relationships and collaborations with a range of key partners.

Fundraising & External Relations 

• With the board and Director of Development, design and implement development plans for major donors, individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors; lead major gifts solicitation.

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and chief liaison with partners, including the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Commission; grow additional partnerships. 

• Lead advocacy to the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and other government representatives; guide messaging that elevates international education and exchange.

Member Engagement and Programs

• Oversee a sustainable, high-quality, and member-centered programmatic strategy.

• Set a comprehensive strategy to meaningfully grow Fulbright alumni membership.

• Identify new partnerships to amplify the Association’s impact and value proposition.

• Ensure data-driven evaluation processes measure and improve program effectiveness. 

Operations and Administration

• Oversee day-to-day operations, including human resources, financial management, and legal and regulatory compliance. Lead, develop and retain an outcome-driven team. 

• Set annual financial goals in partnership with the staff and board. Oversee budget preparation, monitor income and expenditures, support long-range budget planning and analysis, and provide the board with comprehensive and regular reports. 

• Ensure the Association maintains policies, procedures, and technology to facilitate effective workflow, decision making, and communication across departments. 

Experiences, Skills, and Qualities

The most competitive applicants will have many, if not all, of the following attributes:

• No less than 10 years of leadership experience in an association, nonprofit, university, governmental agency, or similar professional setting. 

• Passion for the Association’s mission and the impact of international exchange.

• An effective spokesperson, capable of engaging a variety of stakeholders.

• Success with senior-level fundraising efforts.

• Excellent organizational management experience, including project management, budgeting and forecasting, financial management, human resources, contracts, and legal compliance. 

• Consensus-oriented with emotional intelligence, compassion, and superior listening skills.

• Proven experience with change management, transforming systems, tools, and processes.

• A record of supervising a small team with limited administrative support; experience developing a positive team culture that respects diverse backgrounds and points of view. 

• Past work with or serving on a nonprofit board. 

Considered a major plus:

• Knowledge of issues, trends, and policies affecting international relations.

• Recipient of a Fulbright award, or participation in a similar international exchange.

• A Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential.

Location & Travel

The Fulbright Association is headquartered in Washington, DC. Staff work remotely. Approximately 20–30% of time includes travel to conferences, events, and visits to chapters and sponsors. Travel will be more frequent if the incoming E.D. lives outside the DC region.

Compensation

The board has budgeted a salary of $160,000 to $175,000 plus a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement contributions, and generous paid leave. 

Application Process

The Fulbright Association has retained Good Insight, a national executive search firm serving nonprofits, to conduct this search. See the full executive profile and application information at www.good-insight.org/careers. Resume reviews begin immediately. For best consideration, apply by mid-April 2025. Early applications are encouraged due to the pace of the search.

The Fulbright Association is an equal opportunity employer.