Chief Growth and Engagement Officer chez American Mathematical Society

POSITION:  Chief Growth and Engagement Officer

LOCATION:  Hybrid/Travel to Providence Rhode Island required once per month

ABOUT THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY

The American Mathematical Society (AMS), founded in 1888, is a non-profit membership organization that is dedicated to advancing research and connecting the diverse global mathematical community through our publications, meetings and conferences, MathSciNet, professional services, advocacy, and awareness programs.  The AMS has 30,000 members worldwide and offices in Rhode Island, Michigan, and Washington, DC.

WHY WORK AT THE AMS

At the AMS we value excellence, inclusivity and teamwork. We work at the forefront of advancing and connecting the diverse mathematical community worldwide, and we are seeking curious, innovative, collaborative individuals to join our team.

• Excellent work-life balance with potential for hybrid work
• Generous benefit offerings including:
  1. 9.5% employer contribution to 403(a) Retirement Plan 
  2. 100% employer-paid Life, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  3. Medical and dental coverage with employer cost share 
  4. Voluntary vision, Life/AD&D, and Long-term Care Insurance available through payroll deduction
• 12 paid holidays 
• Generous paid time off
• Technology equipment reimbursement for applicable roles
• Tuition reimbursement
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and a welcoming environment

SUMMARY:

The American Mathematical Society (AMS) seeks a dynamic and visionary Chief Growth and Engagement Officer (CGEO) to serve as a key member of its executive leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the CGEO will lead and integrate the Society's core engagement functions: Creative Services, Membership, Meetings & Conferences, and Communications & Marketing.

This role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive engagement strategy that advances the AMS's mission by elevating its brand, expanding its reach and impact within the mathematical community and beyond, driving membership growth and retention, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality, inclusive meetings and conferences. The CGEO will play a central part ensuring that the AMS is a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking hub that champions mathematicians across all disciplines, institutions, and career paths. The ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with a proven track record of building and managing high-performing, cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and implementing innovative, data-informed growth and engagement initiatives within a complex, mission-driven organization. This role demands a deep understanding of marketing and engagement principles, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to translate strategic goals into measurable outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Executive Leadership and Organizational Strategy

• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team on Society-wide priorities and growth initiatives and partner with other senior leaders in strategic planning and implementation efforts across the AMS.
• Align divisional goals with the AMS strategic plan, ensuring execution across all growth and engagement-related objectives.
• Lead long-term planning and change management efforts to align growth and engagement functions with evolving trends in science, higher education, and nonprofit leadership to position AMS for strategic agility and sustained relevance.
• Lead engagement as a systems-level strategy that integrates membership development, convening authority, brand awareness, and cross-sector alignment to position AMS as the professional home for all mathematicians.
• Foster Society-wide collaboration by building internal partnerships, strengthening cross-functional teams, and mentoring emerging leaders across the organization.

Departmental Leadership and Integration

• Provide strategic direction and oversight to the Membership, Meetings & Conferences, Communications & Marketing, and Creative Services departments.
• Foster collaboration, synergy, and shared goals across these functions, ensuring a cohesive, organization-wide engagement strategy that aligns with the AMS's mission, goals, and strategic priorities.

Strategic Growth and Member Engagement

• Drive enterprise-level growth through audience diversification, expanded member value propositions, revenue model innovation, and mission-driven reach, advancing AMS’s position as a unifying force across the full spectrum of the mathematical sciences.
• Champion the design and implementation of dynamic membership strategies that attract, retain, and deepen engagement with individuals and institutions, ensuring relevance across disciplines, institutions, and career stages.
• Redesign and communicate the value proposition of AMS membership in alignment with evolving career pathways and discipline needs.
• Oversee Society-wide growth and engagement initiatives that reflect the breadth of the mathematical sciences from academia to industry, education, and government.

Meetings and Conferences Strategy

• Guide the strategic transformation of AMS meetings (including the Joint Mathematics Meetings) to ensure they are financially sustainable, professionally enriching, and inclusive of a broad community of mathematicians.
• Develop new convening models that elevate interdisciplinary exchange and community-building.
• Provide strategic guidance for the planning, promotion, and execution of high-quality, impactful meetings and conferences that serve the mathematical community and enhance the AMS's reputation.

Communications, Marketing, and Brand Strategy

• Oversee all external communications to strengthen AMS’s voice, visibility, and relevance in the broader public sphere and across the mathematical science communities.
• Drive brand development and multi-platform storytelling to amplify the societal impact of mathematics and the contributions of diverse mathematicians.
• Oversee the development and implementation of integrated marketing and communications plans, utilizing a variety of channels (digital, print, social media, public relations) to reach target audiences and promote AMS activities and resources as well as the field of mathematics.
• Ensure marketing and communications strategy is data-informed, mission-aligned, and audience-responsive in ways that encourage all audiences to develop a deeper relationship with the Society.

Creative Services Oversight

• Oversee the Creative Services department to ensure the production of high-quality, impactful visual and written materials that support the AMS's communication and marketing efforts.
• Lead the Creative Services team in stewarding the Society’s visual identity, ensuring a consistent, compelling, and inclusive brand presence across all platforms and programmatic efforts, including AMS programs and professional services, publications, as well as digital and print assets.

Budget and Operational Management

• Develop and manage the budgets for the Membership, Meetings & Conferences, Communications & Marketing, Creative Services, and Government Relations departments, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and efficiently to achieve strategic objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations within the Engagement Division.

Team Development and Management

• Recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing teams within each department, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented work environment.
• Build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams with a focus on data, innovation, revenue, collaboration, and professional development.

Data Analysis and Performance Measurement

• Establish develop systems for tracking, analyzing, and reporting on the effectiveness of engagement initiatives across all departments, using data to inform future strategies and optimize performance.
• Advance a data-informed culture by developing metrics, dashboards, and impact frameworks that drive strategic decision-making, optimize engagement efforts, and enhance institutional learning.

Stakeholder Engagement and Ambassador Role

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including AMS members, volunteers, partner organizations, and the broader mathematical community.
• Serve as an ambassador for the AMS, engaging in outreach to partners, sponsors, members, and the broader community on behalf of the AMS and in support of advancing the mathematical sciences.

Staying Current with Trends

• Remain informed about the latest trends and best practices in marketing, communications, membership engagement, conference management, government relations, and nonprofit leadership within the non-profit and scientific sectors.

The CGEO will perform other or similar related duties as requested or assigned.

TRAVEL: 

The CGEO will be expected to travel to professional conferences (possibly international), multiple times in a year. 

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: Reports to Chief Executive Officer; works collaboratively with staff across the Society to sustain as well as plan and implement programs and initiatives that advance the Society’s Mission; and cooperates with staff in other departments on relevant projects. 

External: Work with relevant AMS committees and officers on matters relating to the work of the Division of Engagement; communicate with AMS members, representatives of other organizations and, when appropriate, broader audiences. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The CGEO oversees a division of twenty (20) people with four (4) being direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in business, communications, public policy, education, or a related field highly desirable.
• Leadership Experience: 10+ years of senior leadership experience, with at least five years supervising direct reports, demonstrating successful mentorship and effective leadership of collaborative, cross-functional teams.
• Organizational Acumen: Proven ability to lead complex projects to successful conclusions, oversee multiple departments or large-scale initiatives, and drive organizational transformation. Includes strong financial and operational acumen related to membership, events, marketing, and communications.
• Communication & Engagement: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to listen carefully, convey information persuasively, and connect with diverse academic, policy, and public audiences. Expertise in stakeholder engagement, brand management, and community building.
• Strategic & Analytical Skills: Visionary and strategic thinking with a track record of driving measurable growth and engagement in mission-driven organizations. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using data and metrics for decision-making.
• Collaboration & Diversity: Demonstrated ability to sustain teamwork and partnerships with employees, stakeholders, and peers. Commitment to diverse communities, inclusive work environments, and diverse intellectual traditions.
• Sector Experience: Experience in the nonprofit and/or membership organizations is highly desirable.
• Mission Alignment: Familiarity with the mathematics community and the Society and its mission, with the ability to navigate the intersection of mission, influence, and revenue.

ATTRIBUTES AND COMPETENCIES: The following attributes and competencies are indicators of the skills and/or behaviors necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of the position:

• Passion for the mission and values of the American Mathematical Society.
• Demonstrated interest in the cultures within the mathematical sciences and the ability to engage effectively with mathematicians.
• Innovative and results-oriented mindset.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Responds positively to changes in the organization and the workplace.
• Demonstrates flexibility in responding to work demands.
• Demonstrates and communicates respect for the opinions and beliefs of other people at all levels and fosters a climate of mutual respect.
• Plans and organizes work effectively.
• Accepts accountability for job performance and results.
• Works effectively with others in a variety of settings.
• Uses communication tools effectively (e.g., presentation, verbal, writing, relationship building, negotiating, listening) to meet needs of audience and/or situation.
• Maintains professional composure in challenging situations.
• Exercises discretion in identifying, handling, and safeguarding confidential information.
• Addresses issues constructively, building cooperative relationships within and across departments.
• Receptive to feedback and willing to try different approaches in order to achieve the best results.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Duties performed cause light fatigue of eyes, fingers, or other faculties due to long periods of standing, sitting or repetitive motion.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices.
• Performing primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and lifting up to 40 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Typical office environment, climate-controlled, minimal noise.
• Extended work hours may be required to meet project deadlines or resolve unexpected problems.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

The American Mathematical Society is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The AMS supports equality of opportunity and treatment for all individuals, regardless of sex, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability status, economic background, veteran, or immigration status, or any other social or physical component of their identity.

Other duties disclaimer: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. It is not intended as an employment contract.