Executive Director

Apereo Foundation: Executive Director Role Description

The Executive Director is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the Apereo Foundation according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Proportionate to the hours engaged, and subject to collective review by the Apereo Foundation Board, the Apereo Executive Director shall have the following Primary Duties and Responsibilities.

1. Leadership
   1. Maintain, in conjunction with the Board of Directors and in consultation with the Apereo Community as a whole, a strategic vision for the Apereo Foundation that is based on the distinctive contribution of the Foundation to meeting the needs of education.
   2. Work with the Board of Directors to develop an annual strategic framework to guide the Apereo Foundation and its constituent communities.
   3. Seek to further develop and instantiate the values of openness that underpin the vision and practice of Apereo.
   4. Model and promote a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Apereo Foundation and the open community more generally.
   5. Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the Apereo Foundation and the community.
   6. Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of the Foundation activities.
   7. Encourage the participation of volunteers in the work of the Apereo Foundation and its constituent communities.
   8. Foster effective teamwork between the Board, Executive Director, staff, and the volunteers who contribute to the work of the Apereo Foundation.
   9. Act as a spokesperson for the Foundation.
   10. Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board as appropriate and jointly with the Board when warranted.
   11. Represent and promote the values and practice of the Apereo Foundation at internal and external events.
   12. Together with the Board, develop and maintain partnerships with appropriate external agencies with overlapping or parallel strategic objectives.
2. Operational planning and management
   1. Undertake operational planning to realize the goals and objectives, contributing to the realization of strategic objectives.
   2. Ensure the operation of the organization meets the expectations of its community, Board, and membership.
   3. Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization.
   4. Draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies; review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate.
   5. Ensure that privacy/confidentiality is maintained where necessary.
   6. Work with the other Apereo Foundation officers to provide support to the Board by preparing the monthly board meeting agenda and supporting materials.
3. Constituent Communities and Programs
   1. Ensure effective liaison with Apereo constituent communities and programs.
   2. Encourage communication and collaboration between constituent communities where appropriate.
   3. Monitor the health of constituent communities and programs, reporting issues to the board as they arise.
   4. Oversee the planning, implementation, execution, and evaluation of special projects.
   5. Maintain an awareness and understanding of global higher education, especially outside of the western and northern hemispheres.
4. Human resources planning and management
   1. Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures, and practices, including the development of job descriptions for all staff.
   2. Work with constituent software communities to create appropriate oversight for staff working directly to their benefit.
   3. Recruit, interview, and select staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the Apereo mission.
   4. Ensure that all staff receives an orientation to the organization and that appropriate training is made available.
   5. Implement a performance management process for all staff that includes monitoring the performance of staff on an ongoing basis and conducting an annual performance review.
   6. Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance.
5. Financial planning and management
   1. Work with accounting staff and the Board to prepare a comprehensive budget.
   2. Work with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization.
   3. Research funding sources, oversee the development of fundraising plans, and write funding proposals to increase the funds of the organization.
   4. Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate.
   5. Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board.
   6. Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed.
   7. Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization.
   8. Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditures of the organization.
   9. Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments.
6. Community relations/advocacy
   1. Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to identify changes in the community served by the organization.
   2. Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with constituent communities and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.
7. Risk management
   1. Identify and evaluate the risks to the Apereo Foundation and community, and implement measures to control risks.
   2. Ensure that the Board of Directors and the Foundation carry appropriate and adequate insurance coverage.
   3. Ensure that the Board and staff understand the terms, conditions, and limitations of the insurance coverage.
   4. Maintain a conflict of interest register for Board members on an annual basis.