THE OPPORTUNITY: North America Leader

THE OPPORTUNITY:
North America Leader
Ashoka is the global pioneer of
social entrepreneurship.
We have built the world’s largest network of
leading social entrepreneurs, with 3,000
Ashoka Fellows spanning 80+ countries.
These leading social entrepreneurs create
new, pattern-changing ideas to solve
seemingly intractable challenges and act as
key role models and recruiters for
changemakers. They point us to the next
frontiers of change in society and inspire the
ideas that shape Ashoka’s strategies.
To learn more, watch a short video about Ashoka and read
A Team of Teams World by our founder and CEO, Bill Drayton.
See how a leading social entrepreneur changes the pattern of
a field, through the example of Kailash Satyarthi, Ashoka
Fellow and a recent Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Ashoka (and all of us!) are facing a historical moment. For generations, society has
followed a siloed, hierarchical approach to solving challenges and has been defined by repetitive
efficiency (think assembly line). But this approach is falling short when it comes to the number
and complexity of the shared problems we now face. So a new game is taking shape – one
where change is the norm, and where the most open, fluid systems and teams thrive. In this
game the rules are different (in fact they are still being created!) but one is paramount:
everyone can and must be able to play, and to drive positive change. This is the ‘Everyone A
Changemaker’ vision that Ashoka is working toward and it is our best hope for building a world
where problems no longer outrun solutions.
We have a powerful opportunity for an imaginative, collaborative
entrepreneur. Ashoka is looking for its North America Leader to join Ashoka’s Global
Leadership Group and accelerate a societal shift toward a world where everyone is a
changemaker. The North America Leader will oversee all of Ashoka’s North America programs,
from the search and selection of new Ashoka Fellows to our empathy initiative, and will design
and deliver creative ways for partners to see their role in the new strategic environment,
regularly drawing on insights from our community of Fellows. He/she will also drive and enable
the North America team’s recruiting, talent development, fundraising, and communications
efforts to achieve the team’s goals in the most inspired and focused way.
The North America Leader will have the opportunity to:
Lead, grow, and integrate 20+ full-time staff in North America across multiple, highly
interrelated Ashoka programs in the region – including Venture, Changemakers.com,
Empathy,Youth Venture, Ashoka U, and Business Entrepreneurs – to create a
multiplier effect
Carefully select and cultivate fluid, focused teams in partner organizations and at
Ashoka to achieve framework change goals
Generate resources and strategic support to grow key initiatives and programs in
the region
Participate in making strategic decisions affecting Ashoka’s growth and impact
globally and leverage Ashoka’s vast network in 70+ countries
The North America Leader should have a track record of creating new
ideas that have resulted in a systemic change in his/her field. From intern to
CEO, Ashoka’s work requires a team of committed and inspired changemakers – not
traditional managers or program directors. The North America Leader should believe
deeply in the power of social entrepreneurship and understand Ashoka’s Everyone A
Changemaker™ vision. He/she should exhibit the following characteristics and experience:
A track record of innovating solutions and successfully bringing them to fruition
Clear career experience in significantly scaling the social impact of organizations
Ability to lead through influence, ideas, and exceptional communication skills
Demonstrated ability in major client/partner relationship management, fundraising
and resource mobilization
Strong social/emotional intelligence and proven leadership ability to inspire, enable,
and integrate a very entrepreneurial team with respect and collegiality
The position is based in Washington, DC, and will require domestic and international travel. If
you are inspired by the vision of Ashoka and its rich network of leading social entrepreneurs,
please apply here: bit.ly/ashoka-nadiamond. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. For
questions, please contact opportunities@ashoka.org.
Ashoka is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications from candidates of any race,
gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, and religion.