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Founded in 1953, the Society for Technical Communication (STC) is the world's oldest professional association dedicated to the advancement of the field of technical communication. STC’s members span the field of the technical communication profession from students and academics to practitioners and managers, reaching across every industry and continent. STC has approximately 3,400 members and over 50 communities in nearly 30 countries.

STC produces two award-winning publications, Intercom magazine and the Technical Communication journal, and supports the discipline through outreach, educational offerings, publications, and certification activities. STC’s annual conference (May 14-17, 2023, in Atlanta) is one of the premier technical communication events of the year.

Mission

The Society for Technical Communication advances technical communication as the discipline of transforming complex information into usable content for products, processes, and services.

Vision

The Society for Technical Communication strives to be the international authority in content design and delivery, advancing the professional development of our members and articulating the value of technical communication within industry and academia. Membership in STC is an internationally respected and desired complement to the practice, study, and teaching of technical communication.

STC, its geographically-based Chapters, and its topic-focused Special Interest Groups (SIGs) produce a wide array of online and live educational events designed to advance the knowledge of attendees and promote technical communication education globally. STC educational events regularly feature thought leaders and practitioners who represent the future of the profession.

http://www.stc.org/

Some of the opportunities/priorities the Interim Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) should be prepared to undertake include:

• Implement new approaches to leverage existing and new programs, services, and offerings to support, energize, and ensure the relevancy of this U.S.-based organization with an international footprint, encompassing geographic Chapters and topic-focused SIGs.
• Manage and expand:
  • Membership in alignment with a defined membership growth and retention strategy.
  • STC’s educational offerings, publications, and other products.
  • STC’s certification program.
• Increase non-dues revenue through the expansion of ongoing and new strategies, programs, and educational offerings that are desirable, useful, and relevant to members and non-members in a rapidly evolving world.
• Position STC as the independent voice and trusted counsel of the technical communication profession.
• Engage members and non-members who consume STC’s products and services.

The Interim Executive Director/CEO will report to the Board of Directors of STC (9 members). They will manage a $1.4 million budget and small staff supplemented by outside support, including an association management company and contractors.

The Interim Executive Director/CEO will direct all day-to-day operations and staff while maintaining liaison with the Board. In addition, they will have responsibilities in the following core areas.

Society Leadership

• Lead and transform the organization with a focus on membership experience, education, innovation, and financial growth for the future.
• Attract, engage, and retain members and sponsors with unparalleled services, content, programs, and experiences.
• Engage with the Board to develop, evaluate, and implement strategies for ensuring financial growth and overall organizational health.
• Utilize diverse resources to actively promote the organization, its goals, and its value to employers and industry, including government agencies.
• Work with the Board to implement the organization’s short- and long-term strategic plans.
• Ensure that policies and procedures adopted by the Board are effectively implemented, administered, and controlled.
• Keep the Board fully informed on the condition and operations of the association.
• Understand and analyze emerging issues regarding technical communication that can significantly impact STC’s success, positively or negatively.
• Apply knowledge of macroeconomic trends and changes that affect 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Pursue corporate and academic partnerships with organizations whose members have interests parallel to STC member interests.
• Manage sponsorships and donations.
• Attend all appropriate meetings, seminars, conferences, and business meetings of the Society.

Programs and Communities

• Ensure that STC provides a full range of valuable educational and promotional programming to maintain its reputation as the leading source of professional knowledge for technical communication.
• Increase membership growth, retention, and engagement in the overall Society, as well as in Chapters and SIGs.
• Ensure that STC’s annual conference is a major source of revenue and continues to be a successful, world-class event.
• Grow and develop the certification program.
• Ensure that STC has a strong, consistent social media presence.
• Maintain frequent and consistent communication with community leadership.
• Work with the Board, Community Affairs Committee, staff, and outside support to provide a valuable community experience for members.

Staff Leadership

• Serve as a visionary leader to track progress to an annual plan, lead change, and work with staff and outside support to implement annual goals.
• Maintain a high-quality, professional staff. Ensure a workplace conducive to high achievement, initiative, teamwork, creativity, high morale, accountability, and professional growth.
• Inspire staff members, outside support, and volunteers in the fulfillment of STC’s mission, achievement of its performance targets, and continuous improvement of its operations.
• Provide leadership and vision to staff and outside support, and foster collaboration to achieve strategic results.
• Respond to all queries and requests regarding former employees, including employment verification, unemployment eligibility verification, and legal queries.

Financial and Operational Oversight

• Stabilize and improve the fiscal health of the organization through appropriate controls and financial management.
• Oversee the development of the annual Society budget presented for Board approval.
• Authorize proper expenditure of funds and ensure that all Society assets are properly accounted for.
• Oversee and manage the work of the association management company, contractors, and vendors.
• Negotiate and manage vendor contracts and relationships as authorized by the Board.
• Oversee annual fundraising campaign to support STC scholarships and core programs.
• Provide regular financial reports on revenue and expenses in a format approved by the Board.
• Ensure that the legal and ethical standards of the organization are maintained and that legal counsel and auditors have all of the necessary information to complete their yearly reviews in a timely manner.
• Review and manage all expenditures, payments, contracts, and IRS queries.

Core Competencies

• Established strategic and tactical leadership skills
• Ability to interact effectively with members, staff, the Board, leaders of like organizations, and media
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills
• Excellence in integrity and professional reputation
• Effective project management and prioritization practices
• Excellent financial acumen
• Experience in working with global organizations
• Expertise in leading transformational change

Qualifications

Candidates should have a minimum of 15 years of work experience, including 10 years of progressively responsible management experience. Prime candidates will have at least 5 years of experience in an executive management position in a 501(c)(3) organization of similar size to STC or larger. In addition, the candidate will possess the following characteristics and qualifications:

• An experienced executive with a strong understanding of business and finance, including budgeting and financial controls, as well as non-profit governance principles.
• A courageous and decisive leader with the vision and inspiration to advance the value of technical communication as a profession and solidify STC’s legacy through the positive impact technical communicators have for millions of people around the world.
• A proven strategic and tactical thinker with the ability to anticipate challenges and trends impacting an organization, as well as a history of developing proactive responses.
• An individual with a record of driving growth in an organization and developing successful strategies and short-term and long-range plans to address declining membership and revenues.
• A dynamic, high energy, and positive individual with expertise in marketing and public relations, program development, and implementation.
• An enthusiastic advocate for STC’s interests who understands and evangelizes the value of technical communication.

About Society for Technical Communication

The Society for Technical Communication is the world’s oldest professional association dedicated to the advancement of the field of technical communication. The Society’s members span the field of the technical communication profession from students and academics to practitioners and managers. Our members represent every industry segment and many countries around the globe.

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