Interim IETF Administrative Director -- position announcement

[IAOC Chair <[e-mail]>]

Please find below a copy of the job posting for an Interim IETF Administrative Director (IAD). Recognizing that the IASA 2.0 work is fully underway and may yield a different structure for the IETF’s administration, we are looking to ensure that the IETF’s administration continues to function smoothly over the next 12 to 18 months until any new plans are finalized and implemented as a result of IASA 2.0.

What we’d appreciate from you:

+ If you are interested in applying for the interim position, please apply per the instructions below.
+ If you know a qualified candidate, please encourage them to apply per the instructions below.
+ In fact, please share the position description broadly within your professional network!
+ If you have comments about the job description itself, please share them with the IAOC as a whole ([e-mail])

Thanks,
Leslie Daigle, IAOC Chair.


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Position: Interim IETF Administrative Director

Organization: Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

Position type: 12-18 months contract


Contract Scope of Work:

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is a technical standards-setting organization responsible for developing and defining the standards and protocols that make up the Internet. The IETF was established in 1986, and has since then been the center of development for the technologies that make up what we think of as the Internet.

The IETF Administrative Director (IAD) is responsible for managing the administrative support services that underpin the standards development work of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). These services include three IETF meetings annually, held in Europe, North America, and Asia, each attended by more than a thousand individuals. The services also include ongoing clerical and technology support for standards development work and the publication of IETF standards taking place in between meetings.

The IETF is currently seeking an interim IAD to serve for an anticipated minimum duration of 12-18 months. The IETF is currently reviewing its administrative structure and this may impact or eliminate the role of the IAD at the conclusion of the interim period. The successful interim IAD candidate will neither be required to nor precluded from applying for any future position.

Relocation is not a requirement and will not be paid for as part of this contract.

The IETF is organized as an activity of the Internet Society (ISOC). ISOC is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. The IETF's administrative support services are provided primarily by contractors, with support from ISOC staff and IETF participants. The IAD reports to the IETF Administrative Oversight Committee (IAOC), a body comprised primarily of IETF participants. The IAD works under a contract administered by ISOC.


Major responsibilities:

- Managing the IETF’s finances. This includes developing and managing the $7 million annual budget, monitoring budget performance, approving expenses, and overseeing the production of monthly and meeting-specific financial statements for the IETF. This also includes coordinating with the contractors and ISOC staff responsible for acquiring corporate sponsors for the IETF and drafting memoranda of understanding with sponsors.

- Managing the IETF's contracts and agreements. This includes establishing the terms and conditions for contracts related to IETF support services, working with legal staff to draft contracts for execution, and overseeing contract performance. Contracts include those for software development, tools maintenance, corporate sponsorships, and clerical services. Additional duties include working with contractors and ISOC staff to address questions related to intellectual property, subpoenas for information held by the IETF, and similar issues.

- Administrative oversight. This includes overseeing the administrative operation of the IETF to ensure that the publication of IETF standards and related documentation continues to operate, and that IETF meetings continue to be held successfully.


Minimum requirements:

- Ability to attend both physical and virtual meetings. These include three IETF meetings globally per year, one or more leadership retreats, and multiple virtual meetings/conference calls per week.

- Minimum of 7 years professional financial or contractual management experience. Professional experience with operations or legal management a plus.

- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting practices and principles.

- Ability to work collaboratively with and coordinate diverse colleagues, contractors, and staff from numerous countries.

- Ability to prioritize workflow among a large number of tasks to meet critical deadlines.

- Close attention to detail.

- Willingness to operate transparently, share information, and be responsive to IETF participants.

- Preference will be given to candidates who are already familiar with the operations of the IETF, the Internet Society, or with similar standards development organizations such as the World Wide Web Consortium, IEEE Standards Association, or Open Grid Forum.

- CPA or similar certification a plus.

- Willingness to accommodate virtual meeting times in different time zones outside of normal business hours.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to [e-mail]. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.