SACNAS Executive Director

Overview

The Board of Directors of SACNAS seeks a dynamic, resourceful, and visionary executive leader who will guide the organization in our mission to foster the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership. In partnership with the Board of Directors and staff, the successful candidate will carry forward and build upon the nearly 40-year legacy of innovation, high-quality programs and services, and successful outcomes achieved by SACNAS. The candidate will be skilled in articulating a vision for SACNAS that continues to draw financial resources, lucrative partnerships, and national visibility within science policy to the organization, allowing SACNAS to increase its reach and impact for our community members.

About SACNAS

SACNAS, headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, has provided exemplary national leadership toward improving and expanding opportunities Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in the scientific workforce and academia since 1973. We uniquely focus on advanced degrees in STEM fields. With support from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, university and corporate sponsors, and many others, SACNAS initiates and executes effective programming that gives our community the mentoring and tools needed to successfully advance in STEM careers. SACNAS’ work has been recognized with the 2001 Public Service Award from the National Science Board, and with the 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). SACNAS has nearly 30,000 members and associates.

SACNAS is in its strongest position ever. Over the last five years, SACNAS developed and implemented a strategic plan, and set long-term growth objectives outlined in the “Vision 2020” document—which expresses the future direction for the organization, as generated by the board in communication with our membership and staff. Moreover, the organization’s income has grown dramatically, primarily from federal grants; conference attendance has nearly doubled to about 3,500, increasing each year by more than 10%; and SACNAS chapter growth has been remarkable, now with 70 chapters at colleges and universities throughout the country. SACNAS’ national visibility and policy/advocacy abilities have increased significantly—including an office in Washington, DC, and the SACNAS Leadership Institute, carried out in partnership with the AAAS, which is developing the next generation of underrepresented minority scientists whose leadership contributions will serve to strengthen and unify our communities at the national and local levels. A major investment in the SACNAS online web initiative is now beginning to take shape and have an effect. Thus, SACNAS is poised to make a significant national impact in increasing the number of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in science careers, and in helping the country develop a diverse, robust, and competitive scientific workforce.

With both the board and staff, SACNAS has established active, shared leadership. Governance is overseen by the elected Board of Directors and its Executive Committee who are responsible for, in addition to general oversight of all operations, passing the annual budget, setting strategic direction for major initiatives, and creation of committees that provide advice to staff regarding conference programming. Development and management of programs, initiatives, events (including the annual conference with 3,500+ attendees), communications, student chapters, online community, fundraising, and daily operations are managed by a stable and expert staff. The staff is organized into departments, each led by a program director, and directors form a collaborative leadership group with the Executive Director. All of this projects growth and leadership into the next decade for SACNAS.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) oversees SACNAS’ full range of member services and the financial and administrative systems that support them. Additionally, the ED, together with the Board President and Vice President, is a lead spokesperson for the organization with government funders, private foundations, and donors. The ED advocates in public realms for policies and funding that address the needs of SACNAS’ members. The ED has final responsibility for staff hiring and evaluation processes.

In addition to working with the Board of Directors, the ED oversees a senior leadership team currently composed of the leaders of the various initiatives and operations involved in SACNAS’ activities:

• Director of Programs
• Director of Native American Initiatives
• Director of Operations
• Director of Cyberinfrastructure
• Director of Events & Development
• Director of Communications

These Directors are responsible for staff supervision.

The ED also facilitates the interaction with consultants in nonprofits, assessment and evaluation, accounting and finance, audits, legal affairs, and human resources.

Job Description

Strategy and Vision

• Directs and facilitates ongoing strategic planning and organizational development in pursuit of the organization’s recently adopted core strategic directions and vision.
• Engages the support of SACNAS’ diverse constituencies and stakeholders for the agency’s vision of significant access to science careers for Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans, and for the programs it provides in pursuit of that vision.

Program

• Oversees the work of the staff leadership team in providing for high quality programs that successfully move SACNAS members to the greatest possible levels in STEM careers.
• Monitors the evaluation of SACNAS’ member services to measure outcomes against the goals set by the SACNAS Board of Directors.
• Negotiates and oversees contracts and grants from governmental and private foundation funding sources for the support of SACNAS’ programs.

Human Resources

• Assures that best practices are in place for recruiting, developing, and retaining the skilled staff necessary to the success of SACNAS’ member services.
• Is the responsible party for staff hiring and evaluation processes.

Finance

• Provides leadership in developing the organization’s annual budget and in managing it so that organization’s sound financial health is maintained.
• Assures that SACNAS’ financial systems adhere to best practices and meet all current standards as set by law.
• Is a key member of the Budget & Finance Committee.

Fund Development

• Works closely with the Board of Directors and the Director of Events & Development to implement a multifaceted donor-cultivation and fundraising strategy.

Policy and Public Relations

• Assures good public relations with community agencies, government leaders, and collaborative partners.
• Works closely with the Vice President for Science Policy & Strategic Initiatives to help set and further the policy objectives in pursuit of SACNAS’ mission and goals.

Board of Directors

• Works with the board in its policy and governance role, and supports its ongoing development.
• Provides management reports at each board meeting.
• Serves as a member of the Executive Committee.

Reporting Line

• The Executive Director reports directly to the President. The ED is evaluated annually by the President and the Board of Directors.  

Travel

• Significant national travel is expected, as this executive is the public face of SACNAS. The ED travels alone, or with other staff or board leaders, to represent SACNAS, to develop new sources of funding, and to meet with sponsors, agency heads, college and university officials, elected officials, and corporate leaders.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should have:

Commitment to the mission and goals of SACNAS
This implies

• passion for increasing diversity in the scientific community
• experience in Chicano, Hispanic, and/or Native American communities
• experience in science higher education and in science policy

Significant organizational leadership and management experience, including

• strategic planning
• supervising and building staff capacity
• managing finances
• overseeing major growth
• working in partnership with a board of directors
• excellent interpersonal skills

Fund development leadership experience, including

• developing and nurturing relationships with funders (federal and non-federal, institutional, and individual donors)
• knowledge of funding procurement and reporting processes

Additional Desirable Characteristics

• experience in and passion for nonprofit organizational leadership and management
• strong reputation as scientist and/or administrator
• track record of successful management of organizational growth, of staff at many career levels including PhDs, and with appropriate delegation of authority
• fiscal, budgeting experience
• experience in working with a membership organization
• history with SACNAS
• university or college background in science or science education
• interest in or skills in technology for science education, online community building, communication, and so on
• high emotional intelligence to listen, lead, and bring groups and teams together

Salary and Benefits

A very competitive salary will be offered, commensurate with the experience of the selected candidate. The benefits package includes health and alternative health, dental, life, and disability coverage; paid vacation; and a voluntary 403(b) retirement plan.

Application Process

To assure full consideration, please provide a resume or CV and a cover letter highlighting experience, the candidate’s fit with SACNAS, and management experience. Application materials should be sent as a single document to:

        SACNAS_Search@compasspoint.org

We will begin reading applications on January 20, 2012; applications will be accepted until March 15, 2012.  However, the position will remain open until filled.

SACNAS is strongly committed to diversity and equal opportunity in employment. Women, men, and members of all racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.  

For further information about this search, please contact Dr. J.D. Garcia, Chair, SACNAS Transition Committee, at: jdgarcia@email.arizona.edu