American Chemical Society Vice President Membership & Strategic Engagement
POSITION SPECIFICATION Position: Vice President Membership & Strategic Engagement Organization: American Chemical Society Location: Washington, DC Reporting Relationship: Chief Operating Officer Website: www.acs.org
ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a not-for-profit scientific and educational organization and is the world’s largest scientific society. Founded in 1876, the Society has a membership community of more than 173,000, publishes seventy-five journals and periodicals and produces the largest and most widely used chemical databases in the world. The Society’s two national meetings and up to ten regional meetings attract more than 33,000 participants and result in the presentation of more than 20,000 scientific/technical papers each year. There are two major operating locations with approximately 1,850 employees—ACS Washington Operations with approximately 749 employees (located in Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio) and Chemical Abstracts Service in Columbus, Ohio, with approximately 1,105 employees. In addition, the ACS has a representative foreign office in China and several field representatives throughout Europe and Asia who promote the use of ACS and CAS programs, products, and services. A dozen field offices in the United States and abroad also serve as news gathering centers for Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly ACS magazine. Global operations are managed through ACSI, Ltd. The Society’s annual operating revenue is approximately $632M.
The Society’s membership is composed of individuals of widely diversified interests and objectives, ranging from undergraduate students in the chemical sciences to the highly experienced chemical professional in industry, academia, government and elsewhere. The Society has over 180 local sections and over 30 technical divisions as well as student chapters and international chapters.
Equally varied are the concerns of members in the disciplines of, or related to, chemistry whose interests may lie in maintaining current awareness in scientific, technological, and business developments, education at all levels, or in professional or government relations. The need to provide a voice for, and to respond to, these wide-ranging member needs has resulted in unusually complex Society governance and management structures. The Vice President, Membership & Strategic Engagement must be qualified to coordinate these activities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, The Vice President, Membership & Strategic Engagement will serve as a passionate and inspirational champion for professionals in the chemical industry while amplifying American Chemical Society’s position as the largest and most esteemed scientific society of its kind in the world. Partnering with the CEO, COO, the ACS Board of Directors and the ACS Executive Leadership team, The Vice President, Membership & Strategic Engagement will establish an innovative and bold membership engagement strategy that proactively addresses the dynamic changes and shifts facing the industry globally, with a specific focus on shaping a compelling value proposition that ensures continued membership growth, retention and engagement.
Among the specific responsibilities are the following:
Leverages technology platforms to define and implement a data-driven, customer centric strategy to achieve the membership growth goals of the organization and ensure a strong financial position for the Society.
Ensures a robust value proposition for members through development and delivery of cutting-edge programs, products and services. Works with leaders across the organization to create a compelling agenda that attracts, engages, and sustains involvement by both professional and student members.
Forges a transparent, collaborative, and trusting relationship with the ACS Board of Directors by serving as the primary staff liaison with the Committee on Professional and Member Relations. Provides regular feedback on strategic, operational, and programmatic matters impacting member attraction, engagement and retention, keeping them apprised of progress and success in meeting key goals in strategic and operational business plans.
Provides effective leadership of a professional staff who demonstrate commitment to excellent member service and delivery of cutting-edge products and services. Sets a clear vision for goals and expectations, while encouraging an internal culture that promotes collaboration and teamwork to support the mission of the organization. Creates an environment that encourages mutual respect, entrepreneurship, innovation, diversity and high performance.
Serves as a passionate and dynamic spokesperson on behalf of the Society and develops strong collaborative relationships with members and external stakeholders to garner long-term, strategic partners to advance the mission of the American Chemical Society.
Brings fresh ideas and innovative thinking to current processes that optimize resources and maximize results. Partners with the COO to ensure a highly functioning organization by defining operating and financial targets through effective planning and clear direction.
Fosters a culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial leader with the combined passion and vision to shape a fresh strategic approach to engage and invigorate ACS’s membership to influence effective global growth. The Vice President, Membership & Strategic Engagement will be a champion of the organization’s mission and will amplify visibility for ACS’s services and products in order to attract and retain a diverse and engaged membership base of both students and professionals.
A minimum of 10 years of executive level leadership experience in a global organization of similar complexity. Strong track record for growing customers/membership engagement.
Visionary leader capable of anticipating and addressing opportunities and challenges facing the scientific community, ACS members and the Society itself with the agility, drive, and energy to achieve positive outcomes.
Exceptional influence, communications, and relationship building skills, key to forging strong relationships and enhancing engagement with volunteer leadership, and the broader membership community. Inclusive, diplomatic, and charismatic.
Exudes passion for and commitment to the mission of ACS and the broader scientific community. Has an ability to inspire, engage, and influence others to achieve desired objectives, as well as to promote and expand an organization’s influence and impact.
Experience in diversifying revenue streams and identifying non dues revenue opportunities to ensure fiscal health and support membership growth and engagement.
Experienced staff leader, with demonstrated track record for attracting, developing, and empowering a strong pool of talented and diverse team members.
Unquestionable integrity, credibility, character, demonstrated high moral and ethical behavior.
EDUCATION Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Sciences, Engineering or related sciences is preferred. Advanced degree in the chemically related sciences or engineering or other advanced degree is desirable.
COMPENSATION A competitive compensation package will be provided to attractive outstanding candidates.
HYBRID OFFICE POLICY This position will be based in the Washington, DC office. ACS employees work based on a schedule consisting of being onsite in the office three days per week. ACS employees are in the office on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the third office day scheduled in coordination with leadership. Occasional travel, including weekends and international, will be required (approximately 8-10 trips/year).
