The Environmental Research Design Association is searching for a visionary, strategic, and service-oriented Executive Director OR Management Company to lead the organization into its next phase of growth advancing its mission and run our Central Office beginning March 30, 2026. Please see below for the job descriptions, application requirements, and application deadline; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note, that for Association Management Company (AMC) proposals, all references to ‘Executive Director’ refer to the lead point of contact or assigned executive responsible for the EDRA contract.

The selected individual/company will need to provide central office, membership, website, financial and conference management services. Full-time services would begin September 1, with appropriate advance time to become acquainted with EDRA’s current procedures and needs and to ensure a smooth transition. The transition period will include EDRA’s 2026 International Meeting, to be held in Amherst, MA.

All proposals will be carefully considered, but preference will be given to proposals from companies that have experience in managing small/medium associations. The first conference the AMC will need to manage will be the May/June 2027 conference, whose location is still being determined.

Executive Director – Job Description

TITLE: Executive Director

LOCATION: Remote

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors through the Board Chair.               

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive officer of the association and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, managing day-to-day operations, and offering guidance to ensure the organization’s success and growth in line with its strategic plan. The ED works closely with the Board of Directors and staff to fulfill the organization’s mission, deliver member value, and ensure fiscal sustainability. In this role, the ED manages and leads the professional staff and oversees day-to-day operations, supports the association's credibility as an inclusive organization, develops and nurtures strategic relationships, and represents the association to the media, lawmakers, and other stakeholders. The ED advances the mission while achieving financial and operational objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Governance Support:

• Executive Director Services:
  • Provide an Executive Director and associated administrative support to ensure the organization operates effectively.
  • Foster a collaborative partnership with EDRA’s Board of Directors .
  • Attend Board Meetings, unless otherwise notified by the Chair.
  • Coordination of the on-boarding of new members of the Board.
  • Any change in the Executive Director responsibilities is subject to Board approval.
  • Collaborate with the Board in developing and refining a strategic plan/framework. Provide regular updates, data, reports, and recommendations for informed decision-making and long-term planning.
• Board Meetings:
  • Facilitate and provide administrative support (such as developing a draft agenda, setting up a zoom meeting link for remote synchronous meetings, circulating meeting minutes for board feedback, and managing their organization and archival, etc.) for 12 annual Board meetings, including:
    • May (in-person at the annual meeting)
    • September/October (in-person at a potential future convention location)
    • Provide support for monthly Executive Committee meetings (1.5 hours per meeting, virtual).
• Committee Meetings:
  • Attend and participate, as needed, in committee meetings.
    • Mandatory, regular attendance: Program/Conference Committee, Governance Committee, and Finance and Fundraising Committee
    • Non-mandatory, periodic attendance: Communications committee, Members and Partners Committee, Student Affairs committee,

Administrative and General Office Support:

• Maintain an effective and motivated professional staff structure. With Board approval of budget, lead the hiring, development, review, and termination of staff members.
• Foster a team-oriented culture of trust, support, and collaboration and cultivate a staff culture that prioritizes innovation, continuous improvement, career-long learning, and professional development
• Maintain a headquarters office with a permanent mailing address to process incoming and outgoing mail.
• Respond to general inquiries about EDRA within 48 hours via a dedicated telephone line.
• Forward mail to designated EDRA contacts as needed.
• Manage insurance coverage and maintain governance documents, including Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Policies & Procedures.
• Maintain administrative, historical, and corporate files for EDRA, including meeting minutes, a membership roster, and all corporate governance documents, ensuring secure offsite storage of older documents if necessary.
• Establish EDRA email addresses for all engaged parties.
• In collaboration with the Board, select and engage vendors and contractors to meet operational and programmatic needs. Oversee the evaluation and signing of contracts and other agreements, ensuring that the terms align with the association’s objectives.
• Oversee policies and procedures to ensure consistency and high-quality service to members.

Membership Management:

• Develop and implement strategies to attract and retain members.
• Maintain a comprehensive membership database, tracking demographics, dues, donations, registrations, and committee participation.
• Send welcome and engagement messages to new and renewing members, and prepare membership reports for the Board.
• Identify and recommend member benefits, process lapsed memberships, and maintain an updated membership directory.
• Support EDRA Member Engagement Initiatives, including but not limited to Recognitions and Awards, Knowledge Networks, Fundraising and Sponsors, Student Affairs, Members and Partners, Program Committee, and other committees and task forces. Ensure compliance with the association’s by-laws, affiliation agreements, policies, IRS requirements, and procedures.
• Provide regular education to members and board members on best practices, legal responsibilities, and compliance standards.
• Conduct annual evaluations of membership activity and Knowledge Network engagement to identify areas for improvement, and develop new offerings that will increase value to members. Inform the board regarding the condition and operations of the organization and trends, events, or emerging issues that can impact the association’s success.
• Maintain an effective communication plan across email, social media, and the website to ensure timely and consistent engagement with members, including prompt responses to inquiries.

Financial Management:

• Provide thoughtful stewardship of the association’s assets, including financial resources, investments, tangible property, and intellectual property with careful attention to long-term sustainability and growth.
• Maintain a full accounting system, recording all receipts and distributions.
• Submit monthly financial reports, including detailed breakdowns of funds and activities.
• Reconcile bank statements monthly and provide them to the Treasurer.
• Maintain W-9s, issue 1099s as needed, and facilitate annual reviews or audits by an independent CPA.
• Prepare annual budgets to ensure operational efficiency and alignment with strategic goals to drive impact. Oversee bank accounts and investments.
• Process credit card payments and deposits on a scheduled basis.
• Manage membership dues invoicing and revenue collection
• Distribute appropriate funds to affiliated organizations and assist with filing annual Tax Form 990.
• Ensure submission of state and federal filings where appropriate

Advocacy and Sponsorship Support:

• Highlight the role of EDRA in improving an understanding of the relationships among people, their built environments, and natural eco-systems.
• Provide training and support for member advocacy participation.
• Cultivate relationships with sponsors, partners, advertisers, and strategic allies. In collaboration with the Board Chair, secure support and enhance the association’s offerings for its members.

Conferences and Events Management:

• Provide expert support for EDRA’s Annual Meeting and other events, both in-person and virtual.
• In conjunction with the Program Committee Chair, manage all aspects of event planning, including budgeting, site selection, marketing, themes and tracks development, sponsor and exhibitor management, registration, abstract management, CE reporting, VIP support and logistics, and onsite management.
• Negotiate contracts with venues to secure optimal event packages.
• Collaborate on the coordination and execution of webinars and other new initiatives that EDRA may introduce in the future.

Communications and Publications:

• Develop and execute a communications plan with an agreed upon visual identity standard to foster interactive communication with members through traditional methods and social media.
• Develop consistent graphics to update the content of EDRA's web pages and other sub-pages (banners, images, links, editing of text), and maintain timely updates of the EDRA web page and sub-pages.
• Provide administrative support for EDRA’s printed and digital newsletters, web and peer reviewed publications, management of job postings, website updates, program books and other promotional materials for conferences and events, and coordination of vendors regarding marketing and outreach.

Advisory and Collaboration:

• Work closely with professional advisors to the Board, including general counsel and official auditor, to provide legal and financial oversight and ensure the association’s operations comply with applicable laws and regulations. Communicate risks, possible threats to the organization’s reputation or financial stability, and changes in laws and regulations with the Board periodically.
• Serve in various roles with related subsidiaries and partner organizations to align objectives and enhance overall organizational success.

Performance Metrics:

Performance will be evaluated using clear annual metrics established by the Board. These will include indicators such as overall budget health and financial sustainability, member engagement, conference satisfaction benchmarks, and measurable progress towards strategic goals as determined annually by the Board. Additionally, performance measures may be added or refined annually to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Finance, Sociology, Law, International Studies, Public Policy, Labor Relations, or other relevant field.
• An advanced degree is preferred.

Work and Leadership Experience:      

• With Bachelor's degree: Minimum of 10 years relevant work experience with increasing responsibility, including at least one year in a senior executive leadership position.
• With Master's degree: Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience with increasing responsibility, including at least one year in a senior executive leadership position.
• With a PhD: Minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience with increasing responsibility, including at least one year in a senior executive leadership position.
• Previous experience as an Executive Director in a nonprofit organization is preferred, but not required for this role. Experience in a senior leadership role within a similar organization is acceptable.
• Preference given to candidates with:
  • A strong understanding of governance, strategic planning, and organizational management.
  • Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop a diverse staff team.
  • Demonstrated experience in financial oversight, budget management, and fundraising.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Some familiarity with multidisciplinary research organizations, particularly in the fields of environmental design, environment and human behavior, environmental psychology etc.
  • Personal skill in one or more non-English languages commonly represented in EDRA's global membership, and/or demonstrated experience managing linguistically diverse international organizations.

 Certifications:                    

• Certification in association management preferred.

Software Skills:                                                                                

• Google and G-Suite
• Zoom (including Webinars)
• Essential Website management and editing skills
• Excel

Personal Characteristics:

• Spokesperson, ambassador, and enthusiastic advocate for the association.
• A leader able to develop credibility with the membership, staff, and board.
• Experience engaging a diverse global constituency.
• Personable, self-confident, and positive.
• Self-reflective active listener and excellent communicator.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50 percent of time domestically and internationally on behalf of the association.
• Trustworthy; operates with the highest level of integrity and ethical behavior.
• Skilled in interpersonal and organizational conflict analysis, management, and resolution
• Organized and proactive in maintaining organizational systems for the benefit of the association
• Open, transparent, candid management style.

TIMELINE

The following timeline will apply to this process:

APPLICATION/PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS:

All proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file to bsanborn@edra.org by January 18, 2026, and should include a cover letter, CV or resume, and the following components:

1. Cover Page

• Organization/individual name and contact information
• Proposal date
• Primary contact person for the application

2. Proposal Narrative addressing:

• Background: For AMCs, provide organization mission/values, number of staff, location, examples of comparable clients, and testimonials. For individual EDs, provide professional background and relevant experience. Describe experience working with national and/or international organizations.
• Fit and Approach: Explain why you would be the best partner for EDRA and describe your approach to each area in the Scope of Services.
• Capacity and Resources: Describe technology, software, or professional subscriptions you have access to that would benefit EDRA (examples: membership management systems, board portals, conference management platforms, awards/application management software, communication tools).
• Staffing Plan: For AMCs, describe proposed staffing structure including positions, responsibilities, and departments that would support EDRA. For individual EDs, describe your approach to building necessary support infrastructure.
• Transition Plan: Provide a proposed timeline and process for management transition, including how you would approach the April-August 2026 transition period and support for EDRA57 in May 2026.

3. Budget

• Management fee structure (annual and/or monthly)
• One-time setup or transition fees
• Any additional costs not included in base fees

4. References

• Provide three professional references, including organization name, contact person, phone, and email. References should be from comparable organizations or leadership contexts.

About Environmental Design Research Association

Our Mission EDRA’s purpose is to advance and disseminate research, teaching, and practice toward improving an understanding of the relationships among people, their built environments, and natural eco-systems. The mission of EDRA is to provide a collaborative, multidisciplinary community to connect theory, research, teaching, and practice to recognize, create and advocate for environments that are responsive to diverse human needs. EDRA is committed to equity, inclusion, and respect for all persons. Our Vision EDRA bridges theory, research, teaching, and practice to: Recognize and create more humane environments in collaboration with global stakeholders/communities; Promote cutting-edge research and practice that is essential to improve quality of life for all people; Transcend disciplinary boundaries and industry sectors in collaborative pursuit of environments that are responsive to diverse human needs; Advocate for diverse voices in the pursuit of social justice.

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