Executive Director

Fictiv

. Serve as the Foundation’s first full-time employee and public face .

Posted 11/3/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $215,000 - $250,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in grantmaking processes, nonprofit governance, and partner development, with a strong focus on building relationships within the manufacturing and education sectors. Proven ability to establish metrics for success and manage organizational transitions to independent operations.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Grantmaking Program ManagementNonprofit Governance KnowledgeFundraising ExperienceCommunity College EngagementRelationship Building with Industry Executives

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Grant EvaluationFunding Decision MakingProgram DevelopmentFinancial ControlsAudit ReadinessSuccess Metrics DefinitionClear Writing SkillsCharitable Registration KnowledgeCompliance with 501(c)(3) RequirementsBoard Management

Soft Skills

CollaborationCommunicationLeadershipRelationship ManagementStrategic Thinking

Industry Keywords

PhilanthropyWorkforce DevelopmentEducationManufacturing EducationTechnical Education PathwaysCommunity College FundingCorporate Foundation NavigationApprenticeshipsSkillsUSAManufacturing Institute

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the Foundation’s first full-time employee and public face
Report to the Board Chair and work closely with MISUMI Americas leadership
Design and run application, review, and award processes across three grantmaking areas
Source and evaluate grantees, set award sizes and durations, and make funding decisions
Recruit supplier partners into Founding, Growth, and Community tiers
Run the Advisory Board, including twice-yearly meetings to set grant priorities and announce awards
Manage relationships with senior executives at major component manufacturers
Transition the Foundation from fiscal sponsorship to independent 501(c)(3) operation
Establish governance, policies, financial controls, audit readiness, and state charitable registrations
Define success metrics, build measurement data, publish results, and produce the annual report
Represent the Foundation at conferences and on campuses
Collaborate with MISUMI Americas marketing on announcements and storytelling
Build relationships with industry bodies, workforce coalitions, and peer funders
Scope and hire the Foundation’s next one to three roles
Open and close the inaugural grant cycle
Secure the first cohort of Founding Partners and hold two Advisory Board meetings
Establish relationships with universities, community colleges, and K–12 programs

Requirements

What you’ll need

Seven or more years in philanthropy, workforce development, education, or a closely adjacent field
Direct ownership of a grantmaking or scholarship program, including making funding decisions
Experience building something from the beginning, such as a founding role, new program, or organization
Ability to work credibly with community college deans and manufacturing executives
Fundraising or partner development track record, including securing significant funding
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 declines
Genuine interest in manufacturing and engineering education
Ability to travel 25–30% annually within the United States
Occasional international travel
Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities
Helpful but not required: background in engineering, manufacturing, skilled trades, or technical education pathways
Helpful but not required: familiarity with community college and technical program funding, CTE, or registered apprenticeships
Helpful but not required: relationships with FIRST, VEX, SkillsUSA, SME, NAM, the Manufacturing Institute, or similar organizations
Helpful but not required: experience inside a corporate foundation or navigating a foundation-corporate parent relationship
Helpful but not required: Japanese language ability or experience working across U.S. and Japanese organizations

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary
Health coverage
Retirement contribution
Paid time off
Remote-first work arrangement
Opportunity to build a foundation from its first grant, with committed capital and an independent-mission mandate
Broad mandate to shape the Foundation as the talent pipeline evolves