Executive Director Search

Executive Director, American Geosciences Institute

The Search Committee invites applications for the position of Executive Director of the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). AGI, a federation of scientific and professional associations representing over a quarter-million geoscientists, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serve the geoscience community by providing collaborative leadership and information to connect Earth, science, and people. The Executive Director conducts the affairs of the Institute with direction from the Board of Directors, including administering all planning and policies, supervising AGI staff, coordinating the various activities, projects, and programs of the Institute, and holds fiduciary responsibility for AGI. The Executive Director maintains relationships with the officers and administrators of the AGI member societies, international and regional associates, and with other geosciences and science-related organizations in addition to academia, government agencies, and industry representatives.

Applicants should be scientists who have demonstrated leadership and vision in the natural sciences; have an established professional record as a scientist; have broad knowledge and interest in the geoscience community; possess proven senior level management and budgetary experience,  excellent interpersonal and personnel supervisory management skills; and have experience in fundraising. The successful applicant must have the ability to provide strategic leadership to guide AGI toward new opportunities for growth and to communicate effectively across the scientific community, academia, industry, government, leaders of affiliated non-profits, and the public.  Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate experience in addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A Ph. D. in a geoscience discipline is preferred, however, candidates with advanced degrees possessing exceptional business skills will also be considered. The successful candidate must be willing to relocate to the Washington, DC area and willing to fulfill the demands of frequent travel. This is a full-time, 12-month position subject to annual review. AGI offers an excellent salary and benefits package commensurate with peer institutions.

Interested individuals are invited to submit a resume and record of accomplishments, an expression of interest that includes a) a vision for the immediate and longer-term future direction of the geosciences, b) a strategy for leading AGI in its evolving role for geosciences of the future, c) a prospective for AGI fundraising or future development projects and d) a list of three references.  Application submissions and questions may be sent via the website email:  edrecruitment@americangeosciences.org. Review of applications begins January 15, 2021 and will continue until a qualified applicant pool is collected.  The position is open until filled.

All applications and inquiries will receive confidential consideration.  AGI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Position Description

The Executive Director (ED) shall serve as the American Geoscience Institute’s (AGI's) chief executive officer and shall manage, supervise, and direct the operations of the Institute.  The Executive Director's primary duties shall be to implement the policies of AGI’s Board of Directors, to administer the day-to-day operations of AGI, supervision of the AGI staff, to promote AGI, and to ensure the financial health of AGI—at all times functioning within the authority delegated to the ED by AGI's President and its Board of Directors, and in accordance with AGI's Bylaws, policies, and procedures.

Without limiting the foregoing:

  1. The ED will serve on the Board of Directors as a non-voting member and will advise and cooperate closely with the Officers of that Board on all matters related to operation of the Institute.  The ED will also assist in the work of other AGI committees to ensure the effectiveness of the activities of the AGI.
  2. The ED is the Registered Agent of the Institute and is empowered to affix the Corporate Seal and execute official documents, is the person to whom all official notices to the Institute are addressed, and is responsible for the physical custody of all official documents held in repository at AGI headquarters.
  3. The ED will promote the aims, activities, and products of the AGI by establishing and maintaining interaction with the member society executive directors and elected officers to ensure continued cooperation and communication, and to promote goals in areas of mutual interest between AGI and its member societies. The ED, using their broad knowledge and interest in the geoscience community, is also expected to establish and maintain good working relationships with organizations and companies in the private and public sector that have an interest in issues related to earth science. The ED will proactively address challenges in the internal and external environment to protect the AGI’s business interests.
  4. The ED will control and is the responsible fiduciary for the AGI’s finances on a day-to-day basis and will conduct the affairs of the Institute within a budget approved by the Board of Directors, conforming to all applicable financial policies and procedures, including and with respect to expenditure authority (currently capped at one percent of the annual operating budget absent AGI Board approval).
  5. The ED is responsible for raising funds from corporate, private, and government organizations to support the activities of AGI. The ED, with senior AGI staff as appropriate, is responsible for identifying areas of need, and pursuing opportunities, developing proposals, and establishing and maintaining relationships with grant-making organizations.
  6. The ED coordinates fundraising and the exchange of information with regard to the fundraising activities of AGI with the Executive Director of the AGI Foundation, and periodically requests support from the Trustees of the Foundation for specific education, outreach, or other programs.
  7. The ED is supervisor of the Headquarters staff and will ensure that work plans are developed and executed. The ED ensures commitment to, and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of the state of Virginia, and the United States of America. The ED will oversee and ensure that annual performance evaluations of the staff are administered in a fair and equitable manner.  The ED will suggest bonuses for staff with written justification on an annual basis and present these to the Compensation Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Directors.  The ED is supervised by the AGI President of the Board of Directors. Performance will be reviewed annually. The ED is in charge of hiring, promotion, and termination of staff, but any action related to the positions of AGI Staff Directors or the Financial Director must receive prior written approval of the President of AGI, who will consult with the rest of the Board of Directors if there is any difference of opinion, or if the President for any reason considers it otherwise appropriate.
  8. The ED will provide leadership for, and promotion of, actions to support the AGI Framework to Address Racial and Ethnic Equity, in Geoscience Professional Societies in collaboration with AGI’s staff, Board of Directors, and member societies.
  9. The ED is responsible for directing all maintenance for AGI’s headquarters building and facilities, including all equipment, furnishings, and IT infrastructure within its domain. In addition, the ED is responsible for directing the telework policies regarding facilities and equipment.  The ED will also ensure that AGI adheres to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local occupational health and safety regulations where applicable.
  10. This position is exempt, full-time, and located at AGI headquarters located at 4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22302-1502.
  11. The ED will ensure that AGI is an equal opportunity employer and will implement policies to ensure that the Institute conducts its business, both internally and externally, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

If you have any questions, please contact edrecruitment@americangeosciences.org.