Overview

The Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director (CEO/ED) of AST reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for partnering with a 14-member Board of Directors to set the mission and vision of the AST and define its strategic direction, ensure that resources are in place to accomplish important mission goals, recruit and retain staff, and build the kind of culture which supports the Society’s mission. AST collaborates with other transplant focused organizations, industry, universities, colleges, regulatory agencies, and other health related agencies, nationally and internationally.
The CEO/ED is the key management leader of the American Society of Transplantation and will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the AST’s staff, programs, and execution of its mission. This organizational leader will develop a deep knowledge of field, core programs, operations, and business plans to ensure success across internal operating responsibilities including: developing short- and long-range plans; implementing plans directly and through five direct reports and approximately 20 total AST staff; preparing and monitoring budgets; implementing policies and procedures; and providing continuity in the organization.

Key Responsibilities

The AST seeks a visionary executive with the ambition, skills, and drive to successfully lead the organization through its next phase of growth and innovative programming. The CEO/ED will be an inclusive, thoughtful, dynamic leader who values and promotes the history, mission, and future opportunities of transplant medicine and who can leverage their experience, and strategic vision for the benefit of AST’s future growth. This strategic leader will be attentive to issues of equity and inclusion, illustrate AST’s value to its membership, and further AST staff’s motivation to exceed expectations and further cement the organization as a leading association focused on transplant medicine.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Participate in the formulation, and oversee the implementation, of AST’s mission and strategic plans.
• Lead the mission and vision of the organization, along with the Board of Directors, so that AST members receive high-quality services.
• Implement strategic plans, based on data-driven analytics, projections, and financials.
• Oversee the management of AST's budget and ensure that it is a financially viable, sustainable organization with the resources to meet current and projected program growth.
• Build a high-performing senior leadership team and play an active role in attracting, retaining, and developing a best-in-class staff.
• Serve as an ambassador of AST, representing its vision and services through public presentations and by attending relevant events, conferences, and gatherings.
• Develop and collaborate with the Board of Directors, ensuring that committees and efforts are well-organized and funded.
• Inform the Board of Directors regularly of internal organization matters, including relevant staffing, funding and program success and priorities.
• Ensure AST complies with relevant state and federal laws and regulations and with standard accounting procedures.
• Keep AST current and at the forefront of national and international organizations in the field of organ transplantation.
• Maintain current knowledge of literature or other publications on trends in transplant medicine, association management, and other opportunities that will keep AST abreast of the industry.
• Provide continuity to the Board of Directors given AST one-year Presidency term and its representation of diverse leadership across the industry.
• Identify and implement cost-effective ways to deliver state-of-the-art programs to members.
• Participate in identifying and cultivating corporate and individual sponsors.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Board of Directors

Direct Reports:

• Associate Executive Director
• Chief Development Officer
• Director of Operations
• Director of Membership
• Administrative Assistant

Qualifications

The CEO/ED will make it a priority to define AST's priorities and direction. The role is both a strategic and tactical one, and the position will require the incumbent to assess and evaluate strategies, further AST’s brand recognition to differentiate itself from other like-minded organizations and prove successful in fundraising efforts, and lead existing/hire new talent to ensure the industry finds AST to be their professional home with ample opportunities for advancement and professional growth. The CEO/ED will invest heavily in training, mentoring, and capacity building at AST and actively promote AST to build its financial reserves and goodwill. The CEO/ED will secure resources, budget, and allocate resources appropriately, and hold themselves accountable for the overall health of the organization. Other desired qualifications and leadership characteristics include:
• A minimum of five years’ experience in management of programs in senior and preferably nonprofit management positions.
• An understanding of the challenges facing the transplant field and a desire to learn.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and execution.
• Results-driven, sound business and financial acumen, proven leadership skills, and demonstrated success in leading a scientific/medical or similar organization.
• Prior experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Experience effectively conveying an organizational mission to both professional members and other key stakeholders.
• Keen ability to develop and sustain relationships with existing partners as well as new partners across the field of transplant medicine.
• Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, and sponsors.
• Demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and proven experience building an organizational environment reflective of those values.
• Undisputable ethics, integrity, and accountability.
• Prior success in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funding partners, other transplant organizations, and volunteers.
• Experience in transplant medicine or another medical specialty strongly preferred.

Education

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.
• A master’s degree or doctorate degree in a related field or Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation is preferred.

About American Society of Transplantation (AST)

The American Society of Transplantation (AST) is a 501(c)(3) mission-driven professional society that serves its membership of more than 4,200 clinicians and researchers in the fields of organ donation and transplantation as well as the larger transplant community of organ transplant candidates, recipients, living donors, deceased donor families, and caregivers. Operating out of its headquarters in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, this nonprofit organization focuses on its pillars of advocacy, education, research, organ donation, and service to the patient community. The Society provides online and in-person educational opportunities for its members, facilitates funding of research to advance the field and maximize the gift of organ donation, and advocates on a legislative and regulatory level to benefit transplant candidates and recipients and living donors. To accomplish this, the AST employs a talented team of 20 staff members to meet member and community needs. The organization has maintained a growth trajectory, doubling its staff and offerings since 2015. Financially healthy, the operating budget sits at $5.25 million with a strong endowment of $17 million with $2.5 million raised ...annually. To keep pace with anticipated growth and expanding programs, the AST seeks a range of talented professionals to conceive, develop and implement new and emerging programs, identify and secure additional, diverse sources of funding and recruit, retain and promote top-tier professionals to manage and shape strategy for the organization.

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Connections working at American Society of Transplantation (AST)