Executive Director

American Meteorological Society

Executive Director

Boston, Massachusetts

The American Meteorological Society invites nominations and applications for the role of executive director. The executive director will lead with strategic and collaborative vigor, drive organizational innovation and enhance the relevance and impact of AMS on its members and society.

Founded more than 100 years ago, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) is the world's premier scientific and professional organization dedicated to advancing atmospheric and related sciences, technologies, applications and services to the benefit of society. The more than 12,000 members include scientists, professionals, educators, students and enthusiasts representing academia, industry, government and the public. Hundreds of individual volunteers are engaged in all aspects of the organization. 

The executive director will join the AMS at a time when society's interest in extreme weather events and climate change has never been more acute and the work of the AMS never more urgent. This is a momentous time to join an organization of leading experts who are informing and shaping the public's understanding of, and response to, issues around weather, water and climate. This powerful mission – combined with the strengths of an active, engaged membership, an outstanding staff, strong volunteer leadership and the opportunity to chart an innovative path for the future of the AMS – make this an exceptional leadership opportunity.

The executive director serves as the chief executive officer of the AMS and reports to the Council, a 20-person governing body. This person is responsible for the administration of the society’s headquarters and activities ranging from membership programs, journal and publications, meetings and events to education and career development programs, and policy-related endeavors. The current AMS staff includes approximately 90 full time professionals and the society's annual budget is approximately $16 million. AMS headquarters is located in Boston and the majority of staff are housed in this location, including the executive director. There is a second smaller office located in Washington, D.C. 

To that end, the executive director will lead a collaborative effort to develop and define the AMS as a contemporary and innovative professional society. They will ensure the financial strength and sustainability of the organization through new business models and practices. The new executive director will help enhance the impact and influence of the science produced by the society's members and strengthen AMS's voice across the public and among policymakers. The new director will lead a collaborative, collegial and empowered workplace to enable the staff to achieve the organization's goals and support its members and volunteers. All of this work will be centered and built upon a foundation of equity and inclusion throughout all aspects of the society's endeavors. 

The executive director will possess broad leadership capacities, a strong passion for and understanding of science and working within a scientific community, expertise and experience in managing a complex organization of the scale and scope similar to the AMS, an unequivocal commitment to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, and exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage and empower a staff and cadre of volunteers in support of a compelling plan for the future of the AMS.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile, available at www.wittkieffer.com. WittKieffer is assisting the American Meteorological Society in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by June 30, 2021 and submitted through WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Suzanne Teer and Robert Luke, the WittKieffer consultants supporting this search, via AMSExecutiveDirector@wittkieffer.com. 

It is the policy of the American Meteorological Society to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment based solely upon the individual’s qualifications and ability to perform the work assigned, without regard to any personal identity, status, or condition. These include but are not limited to the following: race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, gender identity and expression, national origin, genetic information, and sexual orientation.