The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland
Posted: 19-Jan-26
Location: Rockville, MD (hybrid)
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Additional Information:
Internal Number: 1
About MSP
MSP is a full-service AMC, serving professional societies and trade associations for over 30 years. We strive to achieve the perfect balance in association management by combining a full range of services and experienced staff with the personalized attention of a boutique firm.
Position Overview
In this role you will be responsible for providing leadership, guidance and direction to multiple associations, and in overseeing and managing the client work teams. The Executive Director focuses on Board and volunteer support relations, strategic planning, financial management, and program development. The Executive Director, following the direction set by the Board, ensures that all leaders are well informed of association activities. In addition, the Executive Director will make sure all projects stay on schedule and the appropriate staff is in place while managing expectations of the agreed upon scope of work.
Job Specific Duties
MSP Related
- Manages client expectations within an annual agreed upon client scope of work.
- Works with multiple clients and different client cultures, schedules and strategic goals.
- Ensures balance of client work schedule within framework of MSP calendar.
- Maintains and enhances client relationships.
Client Related
Board Governance
- Assures that the Board, Executive Committee and appropriate committee chairs are kept fully informed on the conditions and operations of the association, and on all important factors influencing the organization.
- Participates in all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, as appropriate.
- Assists the Board in the development and execution of the strategic plan.
- Plans, formulates, and recommends, for the approval of the Board, policies and programs which will further the objectives of the association.
- Executes all decisions of the Board.
- Provides the necessary liaison and staff support to the committee chairs and committees to enable them to effectively perform their function.
Administration
- Develops, for the purpose of day-to-day administration, specific policies, procedures, and programs to support and implement the direction of the Board.
- Signs and executes such contracts and commitments as may be authorized by the Board, as appropriate.
- Creates effective and efficient staff & leadership teams to carry out the work of the association.
- Maintains thorough communication with the Board, committees and members regarding association activities and projects.
- Develops timelines and work plans for programs, services and projects.
- Understands and consistently meets or exceeds deadlines.
- Seeks to continually upgrade skills and knowledge for the effective management of the association.
- Programs & Services
- Promotes interest and active participation in the association’s activities on the part of the membership and committees, and reports to the Board as appropriate.
- Oversees the Marketing Department in managing the associations’ publications, including journals, brochures and directories.
- Oversees the Meetings Department in the planning, promotion, and administration of all official meetings of the association.
- Oversees the Membership Services Department in planning, organizing and directing membership promotion and retention programs, evaluates results and recommends policies, procedures and actions to achieve membership goals.
Financial Responsibilities
- Performs a fiduciary function for the association, including maintaining official minutes of the Board of Directors and other official meetings of the association, providing security and appropriate confidentiality for all files, legal and historic documents, membership and other databases.
- Ensures programs and projects meet the financial goals set by the Board.
Volunteer Management
- Works with committees and staff to help ensure project goals are met.
- Develops and implements effective strategies to recruit the right volunteers with the right skills
- Orients volunteers to increase their understanding of the organization, its members, its services and the role and responsibilities of volunteers
- Ensures that volunteers are given appropriate training to be successful in their positions
- Establish and implement a process for evaluating the contribution of individual volunteers
- Plan and implement formal and informal volunteer recognition activities to recognize the contribution of volunteers to the organization
Strategic Alliance Building
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- Identifies advocacy goals and works with related partners.
- Develops and cultivates related trade organization liaisons.
- Builds and strengthens relationships with like-minded organizations.
- Monitors events and develops association response, when necessary.
- Monitors standards that might influence the industry
Other Duties as assigned.
Essential Skills
Administrative effectiveness
Association management
Budgeting & financial management
Communication effectiveness
Educational programming
Financial management
Initiative and resourcefulness
Interpersonal relations
Leadership abilities
Managerial experience
Planning and organizing
Project management skills
Staff supervision
Strong judgment
Time management
Generous benefits package including 401(k) with generous match, sick leave, PTO, medical, dental, vision insurance, life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D
Hybrid: Following successful completion of 90-day probationary period, 3 days in office/2 days work from home is permitted.
Successful candidates will have a minimum of five years of association, and non-profit leadership experience. Must be able to think strategically and communicate effectively. Candidates should have experience working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to learn quickly with minimal supervision. A bachelor’s degree is required, and the CAE designation is preferred. Must be willing and able to travel, including internationally. Must be able to sit, stand, walk for periods of time and must be able to lift and carry items of a moderate weight.
