Executive Director
The Ninety-Nines
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Moran Company is pleased to partner with The Ninety-Nines to recruit the organization's next Executive Director.
About The Ninety-Nines
The Ninety-Nines was founded in 1929 by 99 licensed women pilots – including its first president, the legendary Amelia Earhart. Over the past century, the organization has grown to include nearly 8,000 members with hundreds of chapters around the world. The Ninety-Nines continues to support women pilots, fostering a vibrant community that includes commercial/airline pilots, flight instructors, military pilots, helicopter pilots, balloon pilots, aerobatic pilots, astronauts, recreational pilots, and student pilots. They are business professionals, engineers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, educators, artists, government employees, and more. What brings them all together is their shared love of flying.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Ninety-Nines has spent nearly a century advancing its vital mission: promoting aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support. The organization's enduring legacy of inspiring women pilots is matched only by its members' shared passion for flight and unwavering commitment to fostering the next generation of aviation professionals.
For more information about the Ninety-Nines, visit Ninety-Nines.org.
Position Summary
The Ninety-Nines seeks a dynamic and experienced Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization into its next century. This role is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to expand our vibrant membership, increase financial support through a robust fundraising program, and enhance the organization's brand and recognition. The ED will cultivate partnerships across the aviation industry and beyond, ensuring The Ninety-Nines continues to inspire and support women pilots globally.
Key Responsibilities
The Executive Director is accountable to the International Board of Directors comprised of 8-9 organizational stakeholders. The ED must have the capacity to think strategically at a high level and communicate in a way that engages the support of the organization’s members, staff, and stakeholders.
With responsibility for leading The Ninety-Nines operations, programs, and fundraising efforts, the ED will need to demonstrate a proven ability to direct others in the effective execution of strategies, operational plans, and tactics to achieve results. The person who assumes this role will need to show a history of successful development of new program opportunities and a strong background in successful fundraising. The ED will oversee an annual operating budget of approximately $600,000 and serve as the voice of the organization.
Specific responsibilities of this position
Strategic Leadership and Membership Development
- Serve as a decisive and credible leader with the ability to “bring others along” – motivating and influencing members, prospective members, and industry partners.
- Drive the mission to advance women in the aviation community by attracting and retaining members while promoting their impact on aviation.
- Elevate the organization's visibility and impact.
Fundraising and Development
- Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to support operational expenses and program initiatives, as well as to drive investment in our endowment, two museums, and scholarship programs.
- Cultivate a diverse donor base, including annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grant procurement, and planned giving.
- Engage the Board of Directors in fundraising efforts as appropriate; provide guidance to Section/Chapter leadership in their fundraising initiatives.
- Travel domestically to events and tradeshows – approximately 10%.
Communication and Advocacy
- Serve as the primary spokesperson and liaison for The Ninety-Nines to the media and public; effectively articulate the mission, vision, and programs of the organization.
- Implement integrated, multi-channel communication strategies to elevate awareness and understanding of the organization.
- Seek and coordinate opportunities for speaking engagements and meetings with external organizations.
- Strengthen marketing and branding efforts, especially across the aviation community.
Partnership Development
- Build and nurture relationships with local, regional, national/international communities to support The Ninety-Nines' mission.
- Foster partnerships across the aviation sector to expand the organization's reach and resources.
Board Relations
- Develop strong, collaborative relationships with the Board of Directors to ensure effective governance and leadership.
- Keep Board members informed and engaged, facilitating their role as Trust & Committee liaisons, advisors, champions, and donors to support The Ninety-Nines and its mission.
Operations and Financial Management
- Lead and nurture a strong, collaborative team and a positive work culture, ensuring excellence in operations and high-quality service delivery to The Ninety-Nines’ members and stakeholders.
- Demonstrate appreciation for staff and set clear priorities and expectations; invest in people and systems; solve problems in a timely manner.
- Implement best practices in operational systems, workflows, and program-specific outcomes.
- Manage the annual budget of approximately $600,000, ensuring financial sustainability and compliance with all regulations – in consultation with the Board of Directors.
International Relations
- Support may be requested by non-U.S. Section leaders and members for their programs and participation virtually in their conferences.
- The Board may invite the ED to travel internationally for its annual conference when it occurs outside North America (approximately once every 5-7 years).
Strategic Planning
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors to implement and refine strategic plans, focusing on sustainable growth, preparing for the organization's 100th anniversary, and leading it into its next 100 years.
Professional Qualifications
- Ability to understand, appreciate and champion women pilots and their passion for flying.
- At least 3-5 years’ experience in nonprofit leadership, with a preference for experience in membership organizations and association management. Interest in aviation is a plus.
- Proven success in fundraising and development, with expertise in diverse fundraising strategies (including annual giving, major gifts, corporate giving, grant procurement and planned giving). Must understand the importance of donor relations.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and a history of building relationships with key individuals and organizations. A proven ability to leverage technology and social media.
- Strong background in working successfully with Boards of Directors, understanding governance principles, and implementing managerial best practices.
- Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and influence a wide range of stakeholders. Collaborative skills to garner the trust and confidence of the Board, staff, members, and donors.
- Track record of achieving/exceeding organizational goals, improving bottom-line performance and driving growth. Knowledge of corporate finance principles and ability to execute the budget as established by the International Treasurer and the Board.
- Strong organizational abilities, including strategic planning, program development, and task facilitation and execution.
- Personal integrity, strong work ethic, transparency, problem-solving attitude, and excellent judgment; sensitivity to the needs of others; ability to act independently to identify and analyze problems and recommend solutions.
- Ability to travel domestically as needed.
- Bachelor’s degree required; degree in management is preferred; CAE or CFRE certification is a plus.
Location
The headquarters for The Ninety-Nines is Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Aviation, aerospace and the defense industry is the second largest and fastest growing industry in Oklahoma. Our headquarters provides a central location for North American members to gather for meetings. Working on-site is required.
Compensation
The compensation range for this position is $80,000 to $100,000, commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits and professional development opportunities are available.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Ninety-Nines offers equal opportunity for employment to all persons without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. No applicant or employee will be discriminated against because of any of these factors. This applies to recruitment, hires, promotions, transfers, upgrades, layoff, training, compensation, benefits, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.
Application Process
The search for The Ninety-Nines Executive Director is being conducted by The Moran Company. Questions about the position can be directed to Jane Lampo, The Moran Company; jlampo (at) morancompany.com.
To apply for this position, submit cover letter and resume to Jane Lampo, The Moran Company, via the secure online portal.
Resume should include all professional education and experience, dates of employment (month and year) and position/title and organization names. Cover letter should articulate relevant experience and fit with the stated preferences of the position.
