Position: OSI Programs Manager

Programs Manager for the Open Source Initiative

Job Description and Solicitation

Application Format:

Please send a resume in an open format (e.g., ASCII, PDF, ODF) to [email protected]. Include two references and your salary preference.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted further.

Position:

OSI Programs Manager

Location:

The OSI is a globally distributed organization, with corporate headquarters in California, USA. This position has no geographical requirements, although a North American location is preferable.

Term:

Six Month initial contract, renewable upon mutual agreement.

Deadline for Application:

28 November 2007.

Organization:

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit corporation formed to provide education concerning Open Source and advocate for its benefits, as well as to build bridges among different constituencies in the Open Source community.

Overview:

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is seeking an Programs Manager with the passion and dedication to provide hands-on management for the organization’s planned expansion of activities and involvement in Open Source. He/She should be motivated by the OSI’s potential to connect people, technology, and social possibilities.

Responsibilities:

Leadership:

  • Ensure that meaningful benchmarks are established, tracked, and revised as appropriate
  • Implement and evaluate an action plan based on the approved strategic goals and opportunities.

Management/Program:

  • Implement programs to fulfill the overall mission for OSI.
  • Nurture OSI’s relationships with producers, consumers, and funders of Open Source software.
  • Partner with appropriate organizations/people to increase awareness of OSI as the reference source for information and education about Open Source.
  • Cultivate ongoing relationships with supporters to ensure a reliable source of funding for OSI’s operations, as well as to expand OSI’s asset and donor base.

Community and Board Development:

  • Ensure consistent and transparent communication with any and all OSI members, affiliates, and sponsors.
  • Provide avenues for full and open communication and collaboration with the community at large and promote an awareness of the diverse and changing needs of the community.
  • Collaborate with the Board in the development of Board meeting agendas.
  • Facilitate collaboration and cooperation between the OSI Board and other organizations and leaders, to build a shared vision of how to address and solve issues related to Open Source.

Qualifications:

Background:

  • Experienced in raising funds for non-profit organizations
  • Well-known and respected within at least one major Open Source community
  • Management experience in either the non-profit or technology sectors
  • Effectively organized highly-independent and self-motivated volunteers from different cultures

Characteristics:

  • Highly-organized self-starter with the ability to set, manage, and implement priorities.
  • High level of comfort with and passion for technology and Open Source
  • Able to listen well and build consensus from public discussions
  • Able and willing to travel periodically to attend major OSI events (mostly in North America)
  • Excellent oral and written English communication skills

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in experience is required.

Compensation:

A base salary commensurate with experience.

First Six Months Deliverables

  • Raise sufficient funds to pay for this position while increasing OSI’s overall bank balance
  • Ensure action items and minutes are properly tracked, and posted
  • Implement mechanism for tracking community suggestions
  • Participate in the design and eventual implementation of OSI Membership / Affiliate Program
  • Ensure maintenance of the main OSI Website in cooperation with the volunteer Webmasters
  • Ensure completion of the design and implementation of the Site Translations Project
  • Ensure OSI trademarks are appropriately registered (if possible)

Stretch Deliverables

  • Post at least weekly to the OSI Blog to build community awareness and momentum
  • Formalize alliances with the Free Software Foundation, Apache Software Foundation,  Creative Commons, Debian Community, Drupal Foundation, Perl Foundation, Linux Foundation, Open Source Alliance In Action, and key regional organizations

About OSI

The Open Source community consists of millions of developers and users world-wide. Since 1998, The Open Source Initiative (OSI) has served as the steward of the Open Source Definition. The OSI seeks to connect and represent the entire Open Source constituency. In addition, as the basic tenets of the Open Source concept are being applied to more and more areas, such as international standards, business practices, and government acquisition requirements, and the Open Source Initiative has a role in their development. The OSI needs a person of vision, resolve, dedication, and enthusiasm to provide continuity and a consistent driving energy for this expansion of involvement.