Executive Director, Audio Engineering Society (Remote)

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Executive Director, Audio Engineering Society

LOCATION:  National; DC or Chicago area preferred, remote/hybrid

Join our dynamic team at MCI USA. We believe in collaboration, advancement and doing exceptional work for our mission-focused associations and non-profits. We work with innovative and creative associations and partners to make an impact in our world. The Executive Director is supporting a new MCI client partner (started June 1, 2023), the Audio Engineering Society (AES)*. 

Executive Director Position Opportunity:
The Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Audio Engineering Society’s (AES) programs, expansion, and the execution of its mission.  The Executive Director is responsible for implementation of policies set by the Board of Directors and the AES strategic plan, as well as the financial, program, and administrative management of the association and the AES staff team.  

In addition to possessing strong association and leadership skills, the AES Executive Director is expected to have and maintain strong standing in the industry and possess the ability to readily identify opportunities and influence industry direction in support of AES’s mission. The position requires from time-to-time evening and weekend work. The job also requires travel both domestic and international (average four times/year). 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Leadership
•    In collaboration with the Board of Directors and staff, develops, plans, and implements strategies, objectives, programs, and initiatives that deliver on AES’s mission, vision, and strategic plan. 
•    Regularly review the strategic plan and reports progress in order to ensure that priorities and resources align.
•    Establishes strong working relationships with the related audio engineering communities. 

Governance, Management and Administration
•    Oversee operations, organization, communication, and administration of the Board of Directors meetings. 
•    Collaborate with the Board of Directors on the process related to elections, appointments, and leadership training.
•    Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization's programs and services, working with the board committee chairpersons.
•    Monitor the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the organization to maintain or improve quality.
•    Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization's people (board members, members, constituents, and volunteers), finances, goodwill, and image; and implement measures to control risks, including compliance issues and adequate insurance coverages.
•    Ensure the Board of Directors is proactively and fully informed through proper internal communications, including preparation for board meetings, and established periodic management reports.

Finance and Operations 
•    Responsible for establishing and implementing operating and financial objectives, policies, procedures, and reporting.
•    Work with staff to develop and propose an annual organizational budget for approval by the Board of Directors. 
•    Oversee the administration of the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization.
•    Ensure that the Board of Directors is provided with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditures of the organization.

Partnership Building 
•    Communicate with members and stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to identify changes in the community served by the organization.
•    Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with other non-profit groups, funders, and relevant organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.

Events Management 
•    Oversee the staff and volunteer team organizing AES’s convention, conferences and other events, and monitor the budget, revenue, expenses for AES’s conferences.
•    Create the budget and monitor revenue/expenses for AES’s conventions.
•    Oversee program management of all events. 

Membership 
•    Oversee the staff to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for member recruitment and retention

Staff Management 
•    Oversee and supervise AES-designed staff team including two direct staff. Responsibilities include interviewing, recommending the hiring and training of employees, planning, directing, appraising performance, rewarding, and resolving problems. 
•    Participate in a “360 review”, or similar process, to ensure MCI USA management and staff receive valuable feedback that will strengthen the relationship and service provided through the contract.
 

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE 
To be successful, the next Executive Director of AES will need to have two to four years of leadership experience in an association.  Global and/or AMC experience is preferred. Specific qualifications include: 

Job Requirements:
•    Bachelor’s degree required.
•    Two to four years of progressive management experience in an association or non-profit organization.

Competencies:
•    Ability to engage participation from all levels, and generate passion for the AES’s work, both internally and externally.
•    Disciplined self-starter who regularly exceeds goals.
•    Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple requests/projects.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•    Collegial, collaborative style.
•    Good decision-making skills, tactful, good listener, willingness to search out answers, ability to recognize when others need to be involved in activities or decisions.
•    Creativity, empathetic, and an enthusiasm for meeting and working with a wide range of individuals.
•    Strategic thinker who can see the big picture and motivate stakeholders toward a common vision. 
•    Ability to establish and nurture relationships with volunteers, stakeholders, etc.

Technical Skills:
•    Preferred skill could be experience with Smartsheet (optional, not required). 
•    Project management experience preferred. 
•    Preferred candidate has interest in audio technology or engineering field. 

Travel:
The position requires from time-to-time evening and weekend work. The job also requires travel both domestic and international (average four times/year). 

BENEFIT SUMMARY
MCI USA is an established, family-friendly company offering outstanding benefits and significant growth opportunities.
•    PTO
•    13 paid Company Holidays, including closure Christmas Eve - New Year’s Day
•    401K
•    Medical, Dental, Vision and Supplementary Insurances
•    Employer-paid Group Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
•    Employer-paid Family Building Benefit (fertility, adoption, & surrogacy)
•    Employer-paid Mental Health Benefit
•    Pet Discount Program

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
 

MCI USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
 

BIPOC applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Audio Engineering Society*
The Audio Engineering Society is the only professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology. Founded in the USA in 1948, the AES is now an international organization that unites audio engineers, creative artists, scientists, and students worldwide by promoting advances in audio and disseminating new knowledge and research. 
 

MCI is an Association Management Company.  Association management companies, or AMCs, are for-profit businesses that manage associations to help them grow and prosper. They offer the expertise, staffing and resources that allow professional societies, trade groups, not-for-profits, and philanthropic organizations to effectively manage day-to-day operations and advance their long-term goals. AMCs deliver high levels of expertise and accountability so that associations can continue to increase their value and relevance to members.  Learn more about the AMC model at What is an Association Management Company (AMC)  (amcinstitute.org)

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