Executive Officer

APS Seeks Executive Officer

The American Physical Society (APS) is headed by a Senior Management Team that consists of three co-equal operating officers: the Executive Officer (responsible for all member-related and outreach-related activities of the Society); the Editor-in-Chief (responsible for all scientific publications and for related activities, excluding marketing); and the Treasurer/Publisher (responsible for fiscal management and for publications marketing activities). These three work together as a team to manage all aspects of the Society's business. They report to the elected Presidential line and to the Council and its Executive Board of which they are statutory members.

In April 2009, the Executive Officer, Dr. Judy Franz, will retire.  The APS is searching for candidates to fill this position.  Description of this position is as follows:

Executive Officer - This officer is responsible for all member-related and outreach-related activities of the Society, and is a member of the three-person Senior Management Team (see above).   Current responsibilities include:

• Assuring effective functioning of Society governance including the Council, Executive Board, elections, committees, and units;
• Working with APS units to assure the success of APS meetings;
• Retaining and growing APS membership;
• Overseeing Society programs including public affairs, government relations, lobbying, international affairs, education, outreach, women, and minorities;
• Maintaining good member communications including APS News, the website, and the annual report;
• Overseeing the administration of member honors including fellowships, prizes and awards;
• Overseeing Society development activities including capital campaigns and annual giving;
• Managing the staff (about 55) who carry out and support these functions;  
• Understanding the needs and desires of the Board, Council, the members, the volunteers and the greater physics community in order to best utilize APS resources; and
• Providing support to the Presidential line of APS.

This position is based at APS Headquarters in College Park MD. It requires an understanding of physics and the physics community and the ability to work collegially with the other operating officers in addressing and solving business problems and in projecting unified leadership for the entire APS staff.  An advanced degree in physics or a closely related discipline is highly desirable. It is a full time position and requires significant travel.  Appointment is for a five year term, renewable by mutual agreement.

This position requires strong leadership/management skills, the ability and desire to work in a team environment, excellent written and verbal communications skills, professional demeanor, and the ability to deal effectively with both scientific and business professionals.  Competitive salary and outstanding benefits package offered.  Visit our website at www.aps.org.  It is planned that interviewing will begin in late Fall 2008.   Those in the physics community who want to suggest or nominate a potential candidate for this position should contact Dr. Kate Kirby via e-mail:  kkirby@cfa.harvard.edu.  Applicants for this position should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for professional references to execsearch@aps.org.  The Search Committee will begin screening applications after October 15, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.