Federation Engagement Officer

At the American Institute of Physics (AIP), we believe in the power of the physical sciences to shape a better world. To that end, we have embarked on a new Strategic Framework for 2020-2025 to benefit humanity by advancing, promoting, and serving the physical sciences.

In this newly created position as Federation Engagement Officer, you will build a new department focused on delivering on the first goal of our Strategic Framework: to be a vibrant federation that advances the success of our Member Societies. Reporting to the Deputy Executive Officer (DEO), you will have access to AIP leaders and visibility with stakeholders across the whole physical sciences enterprise as you deliver on our top strategic priority. You will be a catalyst for innovation, helping define the future of physical sciences. We provide the means for Member Societies to pool, coordinate, and leverage their diverse expertise and contributions in pursuit of the shared goal of advancing the physical sciences in the research enterprise, the economy, education, and society. Through partnering with us, our Member Societies broaden their impact and achieve results beyond their individual missions and mandates.

You will empower our Member Societies to better serve their 116,000 members through open dialogue with staff and volunteer leadership to identify areas where we can align AIP resources to support our Member Societies’ strategic goals using AIP’s unique capabilities to complement the outstanding work already being done. You will conduct horizon scanning to understand current and future needs of the Member Societies, assessing both challenges and opportunities, and connect Member Societies to affiliated societies and other relevant organizations, extending our reach to partners with whom we share an aligned mission. Obvious initiatives of interest to our Member Societies already include advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the physical sciences, government relations, the future of scientific meetings and publishing, and many other areas yet to be explored.

You will know you have been successful when AIP is recognized as a productive and collaborative partner advancing the success of our Member Societies. Our Member Societies trust that we understand their strategic directions and goals, and their individual members and leaders look to AIP as a partner and advisor in their efforts to develop and pursue strategic and tactical initiatives of importance to their communities. Member Societies seek to partner with each other in AIP-convened forums focused on topics of shared interest. AIP is nimble, adaptable, and responsive to Member Society needs, offering a suite of member-only resources and services to advance their success individually and collectively.

Organization Overview

The American Institute of Physics is a 501(c)(3) membership corporation of scientific societies. Our mission is to advance, promote and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. AIP operates as a center of excellence using policy analysis, social science, and historical research to promote future progress in the physical sciences. We are also a federation, advancing the success of our 10 Member Societies. Over the past 400 years, the physical sciences have evolved as a powerful predictive model of our world, enabling stunning technological achievements, and enriching our understanding of the Universe and our place in it. For nearly a century, we have worked to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences. Following the formation and successful spinoff in 2013 of AIP Publishing, and as we head toward our centenary in 2031, we have adopted a Strategic Framework to guide our operations and evolution for 2020-2025.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Build relationships: Serve as the primary point of contact for Member Societies’ staff and volunteer leaders. Build relationships across the AIP team, with federation stakeholders, affiliate societies, and other partner organizations. Understand the priorities of AIP Member Societies and identify partnership opportunities. Develop annual partnership statements that reflect these new developments.
• Identify needs: Assist each Member Society in researching and analyzing issues related to the evolving trajectory, needs, and desires of its membership community. Apply market intelligence, best practices, and research on the physical sciences enterprise to develop and implement innovative strategies to achieve AIP’s vision for our federation.
• Launch initiatives: Identify, develop, and execute collaborative initiatives, programs, and projects that capitalize on synergies of AIP and Member Societies to advance the collective impact of the federation and the physical sciences – including topics or thrusts where the Member Societies can work together or in which AIP can build out programmatic efforts. Create innovative approaches and practices to assist Member Societies with matters including society management, enterprise risk management, program sustainability and capacity, and strategic planning. Work internally across AIP, with the DEO, to align resources to support Member Societies’ priorities, programs, initiatives, meetings, and events.
• Convene forums: Facilitate federation activities that enable and promote information exchange, networking, and group learning. Develop innovative mechanisms to build and sustain collaborative relationships among the Member Societies and, where relevant, with other organizations, on topics identified by AIP and Member Societies. Manage Liaison Committees, Assembly of Society Officers, and ad-hoc committees or task forces convened to address Member Societies’ priority topics. Identify and document important concerns or opportunities discussed that could benefit from further research.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. Degree(s) in the physical sciences would be a plus.
• A minimum of ten years of experience in a membership-based association, organization, or science-related corporation - preferably one with institutional members.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a customer-facing and leadership role.
• Expertise in business and/or new program development, including prior supervisory and budgeting experience.
• Success in strategy development and execution. Experience communicating the vision and value of an organizational brand to stakeholders and potential partners.
• Success growing relationships in a membership or diverse stakeholder enterprise.
• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams and facilitating work in a horizontally integrated function.
• Ability to travel to visit Member Societies and stakeholders and attend industry events.

Attributes

• Autonomous. You manage multiple projects with competing priorities and exercise sound judgment.
• Builder. You build from the ground up, keeping an eye on the bigger picture as you navigate and innovate through challenges with a sense of fortitude. You figure out what needs to happen to get things done.
• Comfortable with change. You understand that what we need today may be different than what we need tomorrow. You are flexible to shift gears.
• Connector. You understand how organizations work, where to build relationships, and how to get results through other people.
• Diplomatic. You find common ground with people, manage a smooth process, and build consensus for workable solutions.

• Perceptive. You see opportunities and emerging trends, and you are knowledgeable about the unique needs and goals specific to member-driven, nonprofit organizations.
• Relationship builder. You share your insights, seek out other opinions, and listen to the needs and concerns of others. You build trust and buy-in and dedicate time to building successful and effective relationships.
• Service-oriented. You understand that helping members meet their organizational goals is critical to success. You listen and identify the best solution and service for them.

What’s Attractive to the Right Candidate?

• Using the Strategic Framework as your guide, you will have significant autonomy to determine your priorities and goals.
• In this highly collaborative role, you will drive impact through the development of alliances and the cultivation of new relationships across the physical sciences.
• You will be in a high visibility role, working with the leadership of AIP and senior leaders of our Member Societies.
• Your colleagues are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed.
• We are stable and financially sound with our eye to the future.
• We offer a robust benefits package that includes 25 days of PTO, medical/dental/vision plans, a 10 percent retirement contribution, tuition assistance, and more.

To Apply

Simply email your resume to Bob Corlett at resumes@staffingadvisors.com with “AIP – Federation Engagement Officer #2021-2615 CW” as the subject of the email. Please include your resume as a Word or PDF attachment to the email and paste your cover letter in the body of your email.

Please note: our practice is to not disclose the salary ranges our clients would consider. Any salary information included in this posting was estimated without our input.

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