what is his title? NIWA Chair? CEO?
I was thinking "Coordinator", seems less officious and ruler-ish, and closer to what he'll actually be doing
I agree, and I feel "Manager" has the same problem as "Chair" or "CEO": it sounds more like something you'd find in a business: store manager, floor manager, etc. On the other hand, "Coordinator" sounds a bit more informal: they coordinate the rest of us, but it's not like they're signing our paychecks or can fire us.
To use an example, at the bird research station I volunteer at, my boss's title is actually "Coordinator": there's no question that she's got the final say in every decision we make, but she also doesn't pay us for our hard work and obedience. Seeing as this is all voluntary as well, I feel it's more similar to the bird research station's set-up, as opposed to the businesses my parents work at (they've both got Managers overseeing them).
(Also, congrats, Xizor.)