THE HDF GROUP
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
POSITION SPECIFICATION
The Organization
Location Champaign, Illinois
Revenues Approximately $4mm in annual grant (project based) and customer consulting revenue
Ownership Open Source Software Company – Non Profit
Number of Employees Approximately 40, more than 25% hold PhDs and one third of the staff are foreign nationals (Europe, Asia, South America).
Nature of Business And Opportunity
In 1987, the Graphics Foundations Task Force (GFTF) at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign set out to create an architecture-independent software library and file format to address the need to move large amounts of scientific data among the many different computing platforms in use at the NCSA. Additional goals for the format and library included the ability to store and access large objects efficiently, the ability to store many objects of different types together in one container, the ability to grow the format to accommodate new types of objects and object metadata, and the ability to access the stored data via different programs. The resulting software and file format were ultimately called Hierarchical Data Format (HDF), and were developed as an open source product and distributed free of charge under a University of Illinois license.
At the time HDF was being created, NCSA produced a suite of desktop scientific visualization tools for viewing and presenting data in HDF. The popularity of these tools led to wide exposure for HDF, and its use spread throughout the United States and beyond. HDF users quickly realized that it could be used effectively to address many other data management requirements, beyond simply sharing and viewing images.
By 2004, the HDF group recognized that the best path to ensuring long-term access to HDF data would be to institutionalize the HDF project. The group recognized that its organizational affiliation with NCSA was a significant factor in its success, however, being part of a large academic organization made it difficult to develop the business infrastructure needed to guarantee financial solvency over the long term. Those running the HDF project at the time decided to spin off from the University and create a company dedicated to a mission of the sustainable development of HDF technologies and the ongoing accessibility of HDF-stored data. With support and encouragement from the University and NCSA, The HDF Group incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the State of Illinois in December 2004. In March 2005, The HDF Group began providing HDF support and development services. The HDF Group officially began full operations independent of the University in July 2006 as non-profit 501(c)(3) company, and it continues to focus on the aforementioned mission.
HDF technology is now used globally in almost every corner of the business and scientific communities…from hedge fund management to the collection and management of global climate related data tracked by NASA, to the data gathered in commercial flight tests. Sony has utilized the technology to create an industry standard for motion picture graphics storage and management, and a handful of bioinformatics projects have shown that HDF has the capability to solve problems of data complexity and size in areas as diverse as DNA sequencing, electron microscopy, brain mapping, and neutron scattering. The current and potential uses for HDF technology are simply staggering…and it would seem that the sectors with the most commercial potential are financial services, aerospace, and oil and gas exploration.
Over the years, The HDF Group has built and supported numerous products such as an ODBC driver for HDF, cloud-based management tools, and numerous data visualization tools, among others. The opportunity to create and potentially commercialize additional HDF tools and industry specific solutions - - while simultaneously achieving the organization’s mission of supporting its community of users well into the future - - is both readily apparent and inspirational.
The Board of Directors seeks a CEO/Executive Director to replace the founding President who will maintain the mission of the organization while exploring commercial and servicing opportunities that will enable the organization to expand. The HDF Group requires a curious and creative technology leader who can formulate and execute a strategy that will fund sustainable growth for the company and its technological impact.
More information on The HDF Group, including a more detailed history of the company, can be found at: https://www.hdfgroup.org/
The Position
Title Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
Location Champaign, Illinois
Responsibilities
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the CEO’s primary responsibilities will be to evaluate the economic potential of the company’s many technology assets, develop and implement a strategy for growth paired with mission support and longevity, manage the day-to-day activities of the company and optimize the organization’s impact and value. The CEO will have full responsibility for the operations of the company and its financial performance, and he/she will be expected to structure the organization and strengthen and motivate its team while holding management accountable for the execution of the business’s strategic and tactical goals. Other responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:
Strategic
- Assess the company’s technology assets, consulting capabilities and markets served and then create, develop and execute a strategy for maximizing the organization’s impact, supporting its mission, and maximizing enterprise value. Nothing is sacrosanct except for the organization’s mission to support the user base over the long term—creative ideas and new approaches are welcome.
- Manage day-to-day operations with full responsibility for strategic goals, technical and development milestones, service delivery, and financial performance.
- Define and prioritize markets and develop marketing and sales plans to leverage the company’s capabilities to capitalize on those markets.
- Develop, nurture and grow meaningful and valuable strategic relationships including user groups, customers, partners, suppliers, and academic and research organizations.
Organizational
- Invest time and energy in mentoring the senior team, ensuring that all members of the management team reach their full potential.
- Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and upward mobility. Develop processes and programs to help create the next level of managers.
- Ensure that the right people with the right skills are in the right jobs.
- Further develop the culture around the theme of “releasing quality software products, on spec, on time.”
- Ensure the company has an effective management team below the level of the CEO and has an active plan for personnel development and management succession.
- Work closely with the board to develop effective governance. Report financial results and expectations to and board.
- Ensure that all employees and constituents know the company’s objectives and fully understand their roles and how they fit with other departments in accomplishing those goals.
Financial
- Develop and implement creative growth funding strategies as needed in order to ensure successful execution of the company’s strategy and support mission.
- Effectively manage the day-to-day business affairs of the company by developing and implementing processes that will ensure the achievement of the company’s financial and operating goals and objectives.
- Develop an annual operating plan and financial budget that support the company’s long-term strategy.
- Work closely with the company’s financial leadership to ensure appropriate internal controls, forecasting, budgeting and reporting procedures are in place.
- Set aggressive but realistic sales goals and manage the company for optimal financial performance.
Products and Services
- Reinforce a culture where innovation and differentiation are valued and rewarded.
- Evaluate and improve processes related to product management and marketing. Ensure that all product development, IT initiatives, and R&D efforts are based upon anticipated customer and user needs and clear direction from market-focused product management.
- With the management team, evaluate opportunities and develop an enhanced product roadmap. Ensure company’s product development map crisply articulates the company’s direction.
- Continue to improve the company’s consulting and customer services infrastructure (people, processes, culture, and systems) in order to ensure superior execution, maximum use of HDF products within its existing user base, and a continuous flow of success case studies to support the company’s marketing efforts. Review current cost (and potential pricing) models and modify as needed.
- Develop effective structures for the company to perform custom or developmental projects on behalf of customers in an accretive manner.
- Develop and implement a seamless process that ensures efficient handoffs of product development activities from R&D to engineering to production.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Minimum Experience A minimum of 20 years’ experience of successful and progressively complex strategic and general management accountability.
Education Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred.
Required Experience
- Must have significant senior leadership experience, preferably as CEO or President, in an early-stage or growth-stage software company.
- Experience building a software company from the ground up is desired.
- Must have a successful track record taking advanced technologies from development phase to successful market introduction and revenue growth.
- Must have sales management and/or marketing leadership experience, and meaningful experience in product and services management is strongly desired.
- Experience with strategic alliances, joint ventures and technology licensing strategies.
Required Competencies
The ideal candidate will have an exceptional track record as a successful Chief Executive Officer or market-facing, P&L carrying general manager with a growth-stage technology company. He/she will have will have demonstrated an ability to build effective teams and consistently drive strategy-appropriate results in high growth/entrepreneurial environments. Required competencies include but are not limited to:
Role-Specific Competencies
- Management Team Leadership and Development - Expertise in hiring, coaching/developing, and retaining top leadership talent.
- Product/Services Management and Development - Demonstrated ability to design, build and deploy products and services which enable gains in market share in current markets through disruption, and/or by filling tangential niches or new markets where the company can excel.
- Growth-Stage Leadership - Proven ability to lead effectively in an early/growth stage business, a player/coach who is deeply involved in the business, is accustomed to working in resource-constrained environments, and is capable of making critical decisions.
- Board of Directors Interaction and Ecosystem Participation - Proven ability to partner and communicate effectively with a diverse board of directors, and augment a board in light of advancements in strategy. Someone with proven interests and skills in leveraging a broad community of resources (advisory groups, consortia, industry associations, etc.).
- Develop a Focused Sales and Marketing Oriented Culture - Can provide active leadership in the development of a market-focused sales and marketing orientation to the culture.
- Strategy Development and Implementation - The proven ability to develop and implement a comprehensive enterprise strategy, including commercialization strategy for a software platform and related services.
- General Management Skills in a Technology Services Environment - Expertise in leading a high performing, mission-driven services organization (proven skills across all functions).
- Outcome Orientation - Demonstrated tendency to favor and implement repeatable, measureable processes, metrics, and business discipline, and instill and reinforce a culture of accountability.
- Technical Acumen - Consistently demonstrated willingness and ability to understand new technologies and quickly learn how they are best applied.
- Industry Knowledge and Eminence - Viewed as an expert and thought leader in the open source software industry and/or "big data ecosystems."
Leadership Competencies
The successful candidate will excel in:
Analytical Problem-Solving - Applies an analytical approach to solving problems and reaching logical conclusions. Gathers information from a variety of sources and quickly gains an understanding of it. Works effectively with complicated, conflicting or ambiguous information, and looks beyond the surface of issues to identify their underlying patterns and causes.
Commercial Awareness - Considers flow of money and resources through an organization, and the need to get maximum value at each stage. Seeks to achieve commercial objectives, such as profitability, so the business can be as competitive and successful as possible.
Coping with Pressure – A positive attitude in stressful situations or following failures. Ability to manage one’s own emotions, willing to take on challenging tasks, and energy to remain focused on those tasks when presented with obstacles.
Decision-Making - Makes clear, appropriate decisions. Performs with incomplete or ambiguous information, and while under time pressure. Resilience in making unpopular decisions when necessary, and taking responsibility for outcomes and impacts of those decisions.
Flexibility - Responds well to change. Positive attitude toward change and a readiness to adapt when presented with new information, new situations or shifting priorities.
Influencing - Balances the need to shape outcomes in short term while maintaining successful long-term relationships. Knows how to motivate and inspire to achieve a common goal, and demonstrates key strategic negotiation tactics. Uses personal and professional contacts to influence people across teams or organizations.
Initiative - Constantly looks for things to do. Self-confident and proactive; generates activity for themselves rather than waiting for instruction. Prepared to take risks if potential benefit in results.
Management of Others - Enables others to perform. Sets a clear direction and delegates fairly and appropriately allowing direct reports the means to achieve their goals. Looks for opportunities to develop individuals by encouraging them to take on greater responsibility and make decisions for themselves.
Strategic Vision - Creates a clear view of the future of the business. Considers the long-term goals of the organization and defines the strategy to achieve this. Takes into account the current environment in which the business operates and anticipates future changes or challenges for the organization.
LANTERN PARTNERS CONTACTS:
Christopher A. Morgan Timothy F. Donohue, Jr.
Managing Partner Principal
Lantern Partners Lantern Partners
312-962-4744 (office) 312-962-4742 (office)
312-618-1520 (mobile) 617-899-7394 (mobile)
cmorgan@lanternpartners.com tdonohue@lanternpartners.com