Executive Director

Please provide a cover letter describing your interest in this position, as part of your application.

Our company provides full-service management to trade and professional associations, as well as specialized services including non-profit financial management and event coordination. We are seeking a full-time Executive Director to support our client, the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). The Executive Director is IAAI's chief operating officer and top staff executive, supported by a staff team made up of eleven team members. Working in partnership with the Board and Executive Committee, you will turn the Association's mission and strategic priorities into results. You will lead staff, support volunteer leaders, grow member value, and represent IAAI to the fire investigation community and beyond.

• Board and Governance Leadership: Serve as principal staff advisor to the Board, Executive Committee, and President, and implement Board-approved policies and strategy while keeping clear governance and management boundaries. Attend monthly virtual Board meetings (Saturday from 10-noon eastern). Attend two in-person Board meetings annually.
• Strategic Leadership: Turn the Strategic Plan into measurable goals, track results, and guide the organization through change and initiatives, including responsible adoption of emerging technologies.

• Organizational Leadership: Lead a high-performing, collaborative team with clear expectations and accountability.

• Financial Stewardship: Work with the Board, Treasurer, finance staff, auditors, and professional advisors to develop the budget, monitor financial health, maintain strong controls, and identify opportunities for revenue growth through membership, education, conferences, sponsorships, and grants. The IAAI has an annual operating budget of $3 million.
• Membership and Member Value: Lead organizational strategies to strengthen member engagement and retention.
• Education, Training, Certification, and Publications: Provide executive leadership and operational oversight for the Association’s education, training, certification, conferences, and publications, and support the volunteer experts behind them.
• Government Relations and Advocacy: Work with the Government Relations Committee to lead the government relations strategy (preserving 501(c)(3) status), and build partnerships with government relations agencies, professionals, partners and allied organizations.
• External Relations and Strategic Partnerships: Serve as a spokesperson and protect the Association's reputation and the integrity of its credentials, while promoting its mission.
• Communications and Public Image: Develop communication strategies that increase awareness of IAAI, while helping to strengthen its reputation through professional, transparent, and ethical communication.
• Chapters and International Engagement: Maintain strong relationships with IAAI chapters and international members and provide organizational support to chapters. Identify opportunities to strengthen IAAI’s global presence.
• Risk Management, Compliance, and Organizational Integrity: Oversee legal, ethical, cybersecurity, and operational compliance, insurance, and crisis preparedness.
• Innovation and Technology: Evaluate and implement appropriate emerging technologies that improve organizational efficiency, including responsible application of artificial intelligence.

• Organizational Performance and Continuous Improvement: Establish appropriate performance indicators and regularly evaluate results, leading organizational change when necessary to improve effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and member value.

• 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably in an association, nonprofit, or membership organization.
• Experience working with a volunteer Board and volunteer leaders.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, including the line between Board governance and staff management.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, and resource allocation (direct accounting experience not required).
• A record of developing and executing strategic plans and leading staff.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-speaking skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex issues, and respond effectively to crises.
• Success building partnerships and pursuing grant or other funding opportunities.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

• Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and executive experience.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential.
• Experience leading an organization through strategic growth or significant transformation.
• Experience in a technical or professional organization involving education, credentialing, and subject-matter-expert volunteers.

Travel –travel to events and conferences worldwide is required.

Job Location – This is predominantly a telecommuting position.

Stringfellow Management Group, an Etherio Company, is an Association Management Company. We are a collaborative, largely remote team that values initiative, continuous improvement, accountability, and excellent customer service. Team members have significant autonomy while working closely together to support multiple national associations.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our differences fuel excellence and we strive to create an environment where every individual is valued and feels empowered to bring their full, authentic self to work. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

• Growth-Oriented: mentorship; professional development; SMG growth.
• Emotional Intelligence: empathy; effective communication/social skills; self-awareness; self-regulation; motivation.
• Reliability.
• Innovative: encourages creativity – looking to the future.
• Collaborative: team-oriented.
• Adaptable.
• Solutions-oriented.

Benefits include paid vacation and sick days, health insurance (employer pays majority of premium for individual coverage), dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, retirement plan match, additional voluntary benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and professional development support.

Originally posted on Himalayas