The KSA is committed to building a culturally diverse team and strongly encourages applications from minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.
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Position Description
Where innovation, imagination, and ingenuity thrive.
Fourteen years ago, leaders of some of the most innovative organizations in Cambridge’s Kendall Square met to discuss the impact they could affect by proactively guiding the trajectory of the world’s densest innovation district. The Kendall Square Association (KSA) was established as a non-profit 501(c)6 organization with the vision of connecting people who are committed to solving today’s most challenging problems with the technologies of tomorrow, while imagining a future that is resilient and inclusive.
The Kendall Square Association is made up of more than 150 organizations across Kendall Square. From major employers like, MIT, Takeda, Biogen, Novartis, Google, and Broad Institute to local non-profit organizations, independent restaurants, retailers, research institutions, and startups, KSA represents the entire Kendall ecosystem. Our membership reflects the continued evolution of this innovation district, while also underwriting the KSA’s mission, both financially and intellectually.
Our mission has always been to build partnerships, host events, advocate for public policy issues, and tell Kendall’s story of transformation from an industrial center to a global innovation hub.
KSA aspires to be an increasingly impactful organization—one that will fully empower Kendall Square’s potential — locally, regionally, and on the world’s stage. The organization is overseen by a Board of Directors, who partner with the KSA team to advance the Association’s mission to build and enhance the relationship between Kendall and the larger Cambridge community. The KSA seeks to deliver value for our member organizations and the larger community through programming, policy work, collaboration, and opportunities to develop and diversify Kendall’s workforce. Meanwhile, the KSA offers an array of community-based activities to meet up, network, inform, learn and share ideas, or simply have fun!
Current initiatives and programming include, but are not limited to:
- Inclusion Drives Innovation Program – Providing employers and employees with necessary training and resources to enhance their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
- Future of (How We) Work Program – Answering critical questions about how our innovation ecosystem will return to work in a post-COVID-19 world. The Future of (how We) Work Task Force addresses topics including transportation, workplace safety, open space, and support of small businesses.
- Transportation ADVANCE – Educating our community about transportation challenges, advocating for improvements, and supporting members in taking direct action.
We are recruiting an entrepreneurial leader to take us to the next level
The Board of the Kendall Square Association is conducting a search for a proven, entrepreneurial-minded leader to serve as the organization’s Executive Director.
We are looking for a visionary, strategic, and innovative thinker who is capable of building strong, trusting relationships both internally and externally to the organization. We also seek an exceptional communicator who has demonstrated the ability to lead, coach and motivate a team, while generating enthusiasm for the missions listed above. Our ideal Executive Director candidate would be familiar with the Kendall Square community, while having some non-profit or government relations experience and a track record of accomplishments relevant to the work described above.
Reporting to the Executive Committee and working closely with the Board of Directors, the new Executive Director will provide intellectual leadership, grow and manage the Association’s budget and impact, and oversee a team of staff members. The ideal candidate has strong visionary and collaboration skills, and the ability to be a true team player who celebrates successes and is quick to learn from failures. This position is full-time and often requires in-person attendance at scheduled morning and evening events. The KSA has a flexible workplace policy that allows for occasional remote work when in-person attendance is not required.
Primary Responsibilities
Specifically, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Demonstrating resourcefulness and an entrepreneurial spirit in expanding the Association’s outreach, membership and impact;
- Leading, inspiring and developing the KSA team, both individually and as a unit, in support of organizational priorities, including goal setting, performance feedback and management;
- Serving as the spokesperson and chief advocate for the KSA on matters relating to Kendall Square;
- Working closely with the Staff and the Board, to create an impact-focused five-year strategic plan and annual operating plan, while organizing the resources and activities of the organization to support it;
- Creating and catalyzing the planning and implementation of strategic programming and events reflective of a world-leading innovation district, while being inclusive of a diverse membership;
- Retaining and growing the membership, staying attuned to their evolving needs and interests;
- Building, growing, and effectively managing the Association’s annual budget while stewarding the balance sheet assets;
- Managing KSA branding strategy to expand awareness including marketing and message development and public relations;
- Partnering with the Chair of the Board to coordinate and lead monthly Board Meetings, the KSA Annual Meeting and regular Executive Committee meetings.
- Initiating and managing effective relationships with key stakeholders including public officials, commissions, community groups, business associations, and other non-profit organizations;
- Ensuring that the KSA is attuned and responsive to Cambridge challenges related to social, racial, and environmental justice.
Qualifications
- A BS/BA is required. Master’s degree in an appropriate field preferred or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 7-10 years success in senior management/leadership experience, preferably in non-profit or government/public relations role;
- A strong leader and confident listener and communicator who brings integrity, a calm presence, patience, and the ability to build consensus and engender trust;
- Strong belief in the principles of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with a proven track record of influencing and educating others to champion these causes;
- Excellent oral and written communications skills, as well as problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
Compensation
This is a full-time salaried position, including a comprehensive benefit package.
Submission Details
To apply: Please send cover letter and resume addressed to KSAleader@kendallsquare.org
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Position Description
The Kendall Square Association is made up of more than 150 organizations across Kendall Square. From major employers like MIT, Takeda, Biogen, Novartis, Google, and Broad Institute to local non-profit organizations, independent restaurants, retailers, research institutions, and startups, KSA represents the entire Kendall ecosystem.
Our mission has always been to build partnerships, host events, advocate for public policy issues, and tell Kendall’s story of transformation from an industrial center to a global innovation hub. The KSA seeks to deliver value for our member organizations and the larger community through programming, events, policy work, collaboration, advocacy and opportunities to develop and diversify Kendall’s workforce. And, the KSA offers an array of community-based activities to meet up, network, inform, learn and share ideas, or simply have fun!
The Operations and Programming Associate will split their time between operational work and programmatic support. The ideal candidate is organized and detail-oriented, a creative problem solver and solutions-oriented. They relish planning and execution and are excited to help create and sustain a positive and productive culture. This is an individual contributor role and doesn’t include managerial responsibilities.
Primary Responsibilities
Operations
- Track invoices for member dues and programming/events
- Manage Member Renewal Campaign
- Manage accounts, subscriptions and vendors
- Order office supplies, support staff with other administrative tasks
- Calendar management
- Support current and prospective members
Programming
- Plan and execute discrete and recurring events
- Develop and manage event- and programming-related RSVP process, reminders and calendaring
- Create and analyze feedback loops to determine success of programming and identify opportunities for future programming and member engagement
Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to self-start and effectively manage multiple priorities
- Comfortable with ambiguity and a fast-paced environment
- Strong writer
- Loves the details
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to attend occasional events early in the morning or in the evening (typically 1-2x/month)
- Comfort using Google suite and Zoom meeting/webinar
Compensation
Full-time, salaried position $45,000 – $55,000, depending on experience, and eligible for bonus based on individual and organizational performance.
Robust benefits package, including:
- Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
- 20 vacation days; 13 paid holidays
- 401K retirement plan, with up to 6% company match
- Monthly IT and transportation reimbursement
- Short and long-term disability insurance
In addition, there are many intangible benefits of working in our centrally located office – a three minute walk from the Kendall T stop, a Blue Bike station 20 meters away, and a two minute walk to the riverfront – all within a bustling community of the world’s leading researchers, engineers, and scientists.
Submission Details
This position reports to the Director of Programming. If interested, please email yuqi@kendallsquare.org, with one PDF document (no more than 6 pages) that includes:
- Cover letter
- Resume
This job description was posted on April 15, 2021. The ideal start date for this position is on or before June 1, 2022.