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Executive Director of Sigma Tau Delta - Department of English - College of Liberal Arts and

Employer
Northern Illinois University
Location
Illinois, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Apr 28, 2022
Position Summary

Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, with its Central Offices associated since 1968 with Northern Illinois University’s ( NIU ) English Department (DeKalb, IL), is a not-for-profit 501©3 organization with 900+ ΣΤΔ chapters in the U.S. and abroad. It is one of the largest collegiate honor societies in the country. Its outreach program for secondary schools, the National English Honor Society ( NEHS ) has an additional 1,000 chapters, and is the only national English honor society exclusively for high school students and teachers.

The Executive Director (ED) provides visionary leadership for, and oversight of, the Society’s extensive operations in the areas of internal and external communications, public relations, long range strategic planning, alumni relations, chapter development, and marketing. Furthermore, the ED is responsible for the development and management of the Society’s annual budget, which can exceed a million dollars annually.

The ED reports directly to the Society’s Board of Directors (a volunteer board of 13 members) and serves as the organization’s chief executive officer, providing primary leadership, vision, and managerial oversight for all aspects not delegated otherwise to the Board. The Director is the final authority for primary administrative and operational matters, and is the senior leader for the Society’s overall programs, resource management, and operations.

The ED must work and exercise leadership with a wide range of constituencies, including university and secondary school administrators and faculty, commercial partners, vendors, a diverse faculty Board, alumni, and student leaders. The ED must possess advanced knowledge, abilities, and professionalism to work credibly, as a peer, with these individuals. This position does not involve teaching.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administration and Management
  • Serve as primary liaison for Society and Central Office interactions with NIU campus agencies and administrators
  • Direct and oversee Society operations by leading the interpretation, collaborative development, and implementation of Society policies
  • Raise the visibility and impact of Sigma Tau Delta and NEHS through communications and marketing efforts
  • Handle a high volume of written and oral communication with Board members, Chapter Advisors, the Executive Committee, Board committees, inquiries, and Society requests
  • Keep abreast of current developments in honor societies, association management, and academic trends relevant to the Society’s interests and development
  • Act independently to identify opportunities for collaboration and development with educational institutions (secondary and tertiary), educators, associations, and others who may promote and enhance the mission of Sigma Tau Delta and NEHS
  • Develop chapter relations strategies to strengthen current chapters, reactivate/invigorate chapters inactive or on the verge of being inactive, and locate opportunities to expand Sigma Tau Delta and NEHS by starting new chapters
  • Serve as a non-voting member at Board meetings (and as a voting member of selected Board committees, including the Executive Committee); make policy recommendations; and provide visionary leadership for strategic planning
  • Communicate regularly with the Board and supervise communication with Chapter Advisors and members
  • Collaborate with the Board President to identify, recruit, and orient new Board members
  • Prepare biannual Board reports, including chapter increase/decline and relevant Society developments
Budget and Contracts
  • Provide oversight and management, along with the office administrator and Director of Society Operations, of a $1M+ organizational budget
  • Supervise, with signature authority, financial accounts for the Society
  • Work within the approved budget by developing and implementing cost saving measures that also contribute to profits and revenue, while best using organizational resources
  • Oversee the annual budget planning process, financial reporting to the Society Treasurer, annual audit processing and tax filing, and the organization’s day-to-day financial management
  • Research, develop, and implement strategies to increase potential revenue sources
  • Assume responsibility for Sigma Tau Delta and NEHS contract signing; contract with legal entities and vendors (e.g. attorneys, auditors, financial institutions, and insurance agencies) for services
  • Inform the Board of all matters of concern with regard to relevant legal, financial, or governance issues
Central Office Supervision
  • Supervise the Director of Society Operations ( DSO ) and the Director of National English Honor Society ( NEHS )
  • Work with the DSO to recruit new, and reactivate dormant, chapters
  • Collaborate with the DSO on the hiring and supervision of 5-9 full-and part-time, on-and-off site, staff members
  • Supervise the maintenance of Society records, including the storing of permanent records of legal documents, financial reports, minutes, and chapter documents
  • Direct the work of those who analyze and interpret data regarding chapters, membership, and related activities
  • Monitor the workflow through the Central Office to ensure that service is rendered in a timely and effective manner
  • Plan, obtain, budget, allocate, and manage resources for routine and long-term maintenance of property, equipment, and office environment
Event Administration and Travel
  • Collaborate with the Executive Committee, Central Office staff, and local hotel and vendors in preparing the annual Convention (which currently brings together over 1,100 students, faculty, and alumni)
  • Conduct Convention site inspections, hotel negotiations, and speaker contracts
  • Represent the Society through participation in relevant organizations and at pertinent events, including the Association of College Honor Societies ( ACHS ) annual meeting
  • Travel to the fall Board meeting ( 3-4 days) and spring convention ( 5-6 days), and other travel as necessitated by the position (e.g., evenings or weekends)

    Other duties as may be assigned

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)
  • experience with and enthusiasm for English and its related disciplines through such activities as teaching, administration, program development, and/or faculty-student collaborative activity
  • experience in higher education and with the mission of honor societies
  • experience working collaboratively with a volunteer Board and elected membership, as well as with multiple constituencies, to implement initiatives
  • experience with hotel and speaker negotiations and contracts
  • experience in one or more areas of association management, member/constituent relations, or public relations/communications
  • experience with marketing and public relations
  • demonstrable experience with financial and accounting management, including budget development, tax regulations, audits, financial reporting, and compliances for not-for-profit organizations
  • advanced knowledge of, abilities with, and professionalism in working credibly, as a peer, with a wide range of constituencies, including university and secondary school administrators and faculty; commercial partners; vendors; a diverse faculty Board; alumni; and student leaders
Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

Additional Requirements (SPS)

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

Physical demands/requirements

NA

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year

1.00

Standard hours

37.50

Hourly Rate or Semi-monthly Pay Rate

Salary

$100,000-$140,000

Earn Type

S

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Special Instructions

Quick Link to Applicant

https://employment.niu.edu/postings/62753

Is Background Check Required?

Yes

EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at ada@niu.edu .

Safety Information

Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
  4. List of at least 3 References
Optional Documents
  1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
  2. Other #2

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. What do you like/dislike about working in an office and about working remotely?

    (Open Ended Question)

  2. What is the most challenging project you’ve designed and executed?

    (Open Ended Question)

  3. Write about a risk you’ve taken and what you learned from taking it.

    (Open Ended Question)



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