Executive Director Washington State Academy of Sciences

Available Title(s)

1449-NN_ADMINPRO - Executive Director

Business Title

Executive Director Washington State Academy of Sciences

Employee Type

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Position Details

The Opportunity:

As the Executive Director, you will serve as the chief executive officer of the Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS). You will be an employee of Washington State University and responsible for the administration and conduct of the business affairs of WSAS pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Directors that are consistent with WSAS’s bylaws. You will report to the WSAS Board of Directors and work with the WSAS President and Executive Committee as needed. You will also be selected by the Board of Directors, appointed by WSU, and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. They are responsible for guiding the development and implementation of the strategic plan, programs, policies, and practices of WSAS. You will have authority for direction of all WSAS employees and contractors and shall serve as an Ex Officio non-voting member of the Board of Directors and of all committees.

Key Responsibilities

You will maintain strong relations with the board, board committees, WSAS members, and key partners. The position leads all aspects of the administrative and programmatic operations; ensures appropriate resources are utilized and fiscal responsibility is maintained to meet short- and longer-term responsibilities established by the Board; provides leadership in shaping the culture and strategy of WSAS, sets a collaborative and positive tone and creates an environment that promotes a professional and cooperative work environment; and maximizes the effectiveness of work teams in achieving WSAS short- and long-range goals. You will be responsible for the management and development of all staff employees and the annual budget.

Specific Duties

The Executive Director ensures that the following activities are conducted, either directly or by oversight of staff and contractors.

Board Relations

• Serves as the principal liaison among the Board, Executive Committee, staff and partner organizations.
• Develops and implements the strategic plan in concert with the Board of Directors.
• Prepares an Annual Report.
• Furnishes periodic activity and financial reports to the Board.
  
  

Administration and Operations

• Provides executive leadership for all operations including board activities, and management of finances, membership, communications and outreach, projects, and programs.
• Develops and oversees the organizational structure for staff, and coordinates with the WSU Provost’s office to ensure WSAS activities and staff are effectively supported.
• Ensures the legal and regulatory integrity of the association and understands the requirements for a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
  
  

Financial Responsibilities

• Works with the Treasurer and Finance Manager to prepare WSAS’s annual budget and participates in discussions about the annual budget with the Finance Committee.
• Seeks and administers extramural revenue via grant applications, contributions, and endowments.
• Works with the Treasurer and Finance Manager to ensure the timely and accurate submission of WSAS’s annual 990 filing.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with organizations, corporations, and businesses or other partners to procure financial support and sponsorships.
  
  

Membership and Annual Meeting

• Ensures that WSAS offers a strong, written, Value Proposition for its members and all interested parties.
• Tracks best practices for management of nonprofit membership organizations and state academies.
• Works with the President to plan and execute the Members’ Annual Business Meeting.
  
  

External Relations

• Serves as the official spokesperson for all WSAS projects and activities, except as delegated to other staff, and in certain circumstances the President of WSAS.
• Builds and maintains appropriate relationships with other state associations, industry, government, and public service organizations.
• Develops strategies to advance the state and national presence and effectiveness of WSAS.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and eight (8) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
• The ideal candidate will be a leader with appropriate experience in the management of science-related professional associations or nonprofit organizations, or within the science field. They must be a visionary in terms of WSAS’s role in supporting and advancing science. They will have a deep understanding of and commitment to the challenges and opportunities that face the membership and the profession.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS

• Effective Fundraiser: Shows evidence of being an effective fundraiser, either through direct interactions with funders or through grant writing, developing networks, and mobilizing board members to interact with funders on behalf of WSAS.
• Getting Work Done Through Others: Manages people well; gets the most and best out of the people he/she/they works with; sets and communicates guiding goals; measures accomplishments, holds people accountable, and gives useful feedback; delegates to and develops people; keeps people informed and professionally satisfied; provides coaching for today and for the future.
• Communicating Effectively: Writes and presents effectively; adjusts to fit the audience and the message; clearly gets a message across.
• Inspiring Others: Is skilled at getting individuals, teams, and an entire organization to perform at a higher level and to embrace change; negotiates skillfully to achieve a fair outcome or promote a common cause; communicates a compelling vision and is committed to what needs to be done; inspires others; builds motivated, high-performing teams; understands what motivates different people.
• Acting with Honor and Character: Is a person of high character; is consistent and acts in line with a clear and visible set of values and beliefs; deals and talks straight; walks the talk; is direct and truthful but at the same time can keep confidences.
• Understanding of Nonprofit Business: Knows the non-profit business and the mission-critical technical and functional skills needed to do the job; understands various types of business propositions and understands how businesses operate in general; learns new methods and technologies easily.
  
  

Additional Information

The appointment may be eligible for hybrid or remote work arrangement to be discussed if contacted for interview.

Area/College: Office of the Provost

Department Name: Washington State Academy of Sciences

City, State, Zip: Seattle, WA 98109

Department Link: Washington State Academy of Sciences Webpage

Monthly Salary: $11,666.67 - $14,583.33 | In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range. For additional information, please review WSU’s Administrative Professional Compensation.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Overtime Eligibility: This position is not eligible for overtime.

FTE: 100%

Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position expected to renew on September 30, 2025. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Posting Close Date: This recruitment has been extended to close on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Screening has begun and will remain ongoing until the vacancy has been filled.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible. Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

• External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application.
• Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.
  
  

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
  
  

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.