As was announced quite recently Axel Pawlik has stepped down from his role of Managing Director of RIPE NCC a role which he held for 20 years.
In the last few days RIPE NCC has published the job ad. As you’d expect for a role of this nature they’re using an outside employment agency to help find the right candidate.
Whoever ends up in the role will be tasked with managing a workforce of 165 employees from 40 different countries and would be expected to work from the RIPE HQ in Amsterdam.
The role is a 5 year contract and the candidate profile will definitely thin the herd quite a bit:
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate should have:
Proven leadership experience in Internet policy, technology and community building in a diverse
global network of networks,
The ability to create and execute a longer-term strategic view;
Visible affinity for and understanding of the principles and values that are at the core of RIPE; able
to create trust, apply diplomacy, use different influencing skills, balance different interests, and a strong ability to communicate and cooperate;
Proven track record in being able to act as a catalyst for change and inspirational leadership;
The ability to lead an international organisation, consisting of many different nationalities, and applying
different management styles. Also able to achieve organisational and cultural change in a purpose – driven self-organising form – without classical hierarchical relationships, and able to inspire;
Be able to work as part of a team and create team spirit within the direct report team;
Strong execution power having business experience in managing a substantial budget and
understanding of legal and regulatory requirements of the operations of the enterprise;
The ability to play a key role in maintaining the RIPE NCC’s position as an authority on unique Internet number
resources at the heart of the Internet ecosystem.
Previous Experience10-15 years demonstrated and referenceable history of increasing role, scope,
complexity, and budget within a public/corporate entity at an international level;
10+ years of strong executional abilities including planning, delegating, programme development
translating business requirements into actionable plans; sound knowledge of financial principles,
including solid, hands-on, budget-management skills;
10+ years of direct leadership experience in Internet policy, technology and community building by
partnering with a range of stakeholders;
Proven ability to communicate effectively both internally and externally;
Proven record of building consensus, resolving issues, mastering different tools and methods for
resolving conflict and balancing various interests;
Demonstrable track record and results in change management and structural re-organisation
resulting in culture improvement and efficiency gains;
Demonstrated track record in transformational and inspirational leadership;
Experience working with an active board.
Personal AttributesExcellent planning, prioritising and organisational skills. Self-managing/motivating with the ability to
balance competing priorities in a dynamic, global, and rapidly changing environment;
Strong understanding of technical terminology and business processes having been involved in a
technical role in early or mid-level of career;
Ability to work effectively remotely and across organisational and geographical boundaries at many
levels and cultures;
Ability to function and generate trust with all actors through operational excellence and respect for
input in a multi-stakeholder environment;
Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English and at least one more language;
Consensus builder, catalyst, motivator, influencer and negotiator. Able to achieve results in a non-
hierarchical environment through relationships and credibility;
Multicultural, language skills, public speaker;
Authentic, with integrity, transparent, energetic, and empowering;
Trusted by the members and the Internet community at large;
Promoter of diversity in general and gender equality in particular;
Continually seeks feedback to learn and develop capabilities that lead to self-assessment,
improvement and growth.
It’ll be very interesting to see how long it takes RIPE to find a suitable candidate to fill the role.
