[Hiring] Executive Director @Stringfellow Management Group

Role Description

We are seeking a full-time Executive Director to support our client, the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). The Executive Director is IAAI's chief operating officer and top staff executive, supported by a staff team made up of eleven team members. Working in partnership with the Board and Executive Committee, you will turn the Association's mission and strategic priorities into results. You will lead staff, support volunteer leaders, grow member value, and represent IAAI to the fire investigation community and beyond.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Board and Governance Leadership:
  • Serve as principal staff advisor to the Board, Executive Committee, and President.
  • Implement Board-approved policies and strategy while keeping clear governance and management boundaries.
  • Attend monthly virtual Board meetings (Saturday from 10-noon eastern).
  • Attend two in-person Board meetings annually.
• Strategic Leadership:
  • Turn the Strategic Plan into measurable goals.
  • Track results and guide the organization through change and initiatives.
  • Responsible adoption of emerging technologies.
• Organizational Leadership:
  • Lead a high-performing, collaborative team with clear expectations and accountability.
• Financial Stewardship:
  • Work with the Board, Treasurer, finance staff, auditors, and professional advisors to develop the budget.
  • Monitor financial health and maintain strong controls.
  • Identify opportunities for revenue growth through membership, education, conferences, sponsorships, and grants.
  • The IAAI has an annual operating budget of $3 million.
• Membership and Member Value:
  • Lead organizational strategies to strengthen member engagement and retention.
• Education, Training, Certification, and Publications:
  • Provide executive leadership and operational oversight for the Association’s education, training, certification, conferences, and publications.
  • Support the volunteer experts behind them.
• Government Relations and Advocacy:
  • Work with the Government Relations Committee to lead the government relations strategy (preserving 501(c)(3) status).
  • Build partnerships with government relations agencies, professionals, partners, and allied organizations.
• External Relations and Strategic Partnerships:
  • Serve as a spokesperson and protect the Association's reputation and the integrity of its credentials.
  • Promote its mission.
• Communications and Public Image:
  • Develop communication strategies that increase awareness of IAAI.
  • Help strengthen its reputation through professional, transparent, and ethical communication.
• Chapters and International Engagement:
  • Maintain strong relationships with IAAI chapters and international members.
  • Provide organizational support to chapters.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen IAAI’s global presence.
• Risk Management, Compliance, and Organizational Integrity:
  • Oversee legal, ethical, cybersecurity, and operational compliance, insurance, and crisis preparedness.
• Innovation and Technology:
  • Evaluate and implement appropriate emerging technologies that improve organizational efficiency.
  • Responsible application of artificial intelligence.
• Organizational Performance and Continuous Improvement:
  • Establish appropriate performance indicators and regularly evaluate results.
  • Lead organizational change when necessary to improve effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and member value.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience, preferably in an association, nonprofit, or membership organization.
• Experience working with a volunteer Board and volunteer leaders.
• Knowledge of nonprofit governance, including the line between Board governance and staff management.
• Experience with budgeting, financial analysis, and resource allocation (direct accounting experience not required).
• A record of developing and executing strategic plans and leading staff.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-speaking skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, navigate complex issues, and respond effectively to crises.
• Success building partnerships and pursuing grant or other funding opportunities.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and executive experience.
• Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential.
• Experience leading an organization through strategic growth or significant transformation.
• Experience in a technical or professional organization involving education, credentialing, and subject-matter-expert volunteers.

Travel

• Travel to events and conferences worldwide is required.

Job Location

• This is predominantly a telecommuting position.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick days.
• Health insurance (employer pays majority of premium for individual coverage).
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement plan match.
• Additional voluntary benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Professional development support.