Chief Executive Officer

The CFA Institute's mission is to lead the investment profession globally by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society. For more than 75 years, employees and volunteers at CFA Institute have pursued this mission with diligence. The organization’s commitment to this purpose, supported by advocacy and professional standards, has positioned the CFA Institute as a trusted global entity and the CFA Program as the gold standard credential in the investment industry.

Today, the CFA Institute has a global presence in 160+ markets, with 200,000+ members, 155+ local societies, and GIPS Standards adopted by more than 80 of the top 100 asset managers. The CFA Institute understands that the flow of financial capital underpins the global economy and the long-term health of society, and the returns from invested capital fuel economic growth and prosperity for billions around the world. Investment professionals understand that finance is both a force for good and profit.

Key Facts

• 200,000+ charter holders
• 155+ active CFA societies
• 850+ affiliated universities
• $416 million in revenue (FY25)
• 600 staff

Position Summary

The CFA Institute is poised to shape the future of the investment industry and profession by providing a clear, unbiased, and authoritative voice on investment practices and outcomes. In order to continue to evolve and grow the CFA program globally, the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will balance stewardship of the CFA charter with expansion into adjacent offerings, translating strategy into measurable impact while preserving the distinctiveness of the CFA charter in an increasingly competitive and technology- and AI-disrupted landscape.

The new CEO will diversify the Institute's portfolio of learning products and grow its membership, while bolstering its global status as a trusted authority. The next CEO will drive success, unify and energize the organization internally, develop and align the Institute’s financial, operational, technological, and human resources, and engage stakeholders globally to secure the Institute's continued position and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Establish clarity and alignment with the Board of Governors and staff around the CFA Institute's strategic plan and vision, ensuring financial sustainability and advancing the organization’s distinction.
• Effectively steward and champion public awareness and other initiatives that promote the CFA accreditation around the world.
• Continue to strengthen the core CFA program, but also diversify the Institute's portfolio of learning products, focusing on job-relevant, skills-based learning.

Growth and Retention

• Evolve and grow the CFA program, ensuring its relevance and extending its reach to increase market penetration and membership across the globe.
• Protect the competitiveness of the CFA charter relative to other credentials and providers.

Standards and Public Advocacy

• Uphold and enforce the highest competency and ethical standards for CFA certification.
• Lead the CFA Institute's advocacy efforts, representing the profession’s interests in public policy matters.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Effectively partner with the Board of Governors, ensuring strong communication and alignment.
• Strengthen the relationships between global leadership and local societies, maintaining consistent worldwide standards while enabling locally relevant offerings and community engagement.

Organizational Culture and Talent

• Ensure key skill sets, expertise, and ways of working are in place.
• Cultivate an internal culture of communication, collaboration, and transparency, uniting a globally distributed team.

Innovation and Future-Proofing

• Evaluate and overhaul internal processes, systems, and technological infrastructure to enable the delivery of the Institute's evolving suite of products and programs, and to support the Institute's ongoing growth and development.

Candidate Profile

The CEO will be a bold, entrepreneurial executive with a demonstrated ability to lead complex organizations and cultivate high-impact relationships at scale. This individual will bring clarity and cohesion to global contexts, combining intellectual agility with sound judgment and demonstrating the ability to synthesize diverse perspectives.

Compensation

At CFA Institute, we are committed to transparency and equity in our hiring process. In compliance with wage transparency laws in many of the jurisdictions in which we recruit, we provide the following information regarding compensation for this position: The base salary range for this position is $500,000 to $700,000, with final determination of total compensation made after consideration of qualifications and experience.