Director of Community Advancement na American Mathematical Society

POSITION:  Director of Community Advancement

LOCATION:  Providence, Rhode Island

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 Director of Community Advancement to lead national engagement and strategic initiatives that foster an inclusive and connected mathematical community. Reporting to the Chief Scientific Advancement Officer (CSAO), the Director will serve as the Society’s primary external-facing community partner representative. Activities will include attending key mathematics and STEM education meetings, conferences, and working groups to foster partnerships, deepen relationships, and ensure that conversations lead to actionable plans within AMS.

The Director will bring both subject-matter expertise and convening skills, using their standing in the mathematics community to connect with leaders, departments, and organizations. While experience directly leading programs that broaden participation in mathematical sciences is a plus, the core requirement is the ability to translate conversations into concrete strategies, in collaboration with AMS staff and governance committees.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Strategic Leadership: Work with AMS governance committees, including the Committee on Engagement, Participation, and Advancement, to shape policy recommendations, identify priorities, and monitor progress of AMS programs and initiatives.  Amplify AMS’s leadership in community advancement by contributing to panels, published reports, and policy conversations.
• Direct supervision: Manage additional BEGIN and data-focused staff as hired, ensuring integration of BEGIN activities (bootcamps, internship hub, mentoring) into AMS’s community advancement agenda. Ensure that survey results inform AMS’s community advancement strategies and connect to broader national datasets (NCSES, IPEDS, etc.).
• Staff Support: Serve as staff liaison for the Committee on Engagement, Participation, and Advancement (formerly EDI Committee), ensuring timely agendas, clear outcomes, and connection to AMS Council and Board priorities. Coordinate with CoProf and CoProg when access and opportunity issues intersect with their scopes.
• Program Development: Guide AMS’s role in stewarding Math Alliance programming (Field of Dreams Conference, Mentor Network, F-Gap Program), ensuring smooth integration and mission alignment. This will include engaging departments, refining the national model for successful undergraduate-to-graduate transitions, and amplifying best practices. Collaborate with Development to identify funding opportunities tied to broadening participation and community engagement (e.g., NSF, private donors, foundations).
• Community Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with diverse communities, organizations, and stakeholders to enhance outreach efforts and ensure the organization’s initiatives are responsive to the needs of all members.
• Communication: Collaborate with the Office of Communications and Marketing as well as other teams to develop communication strategies to promote initiatives and successes related to creating an inclusive and connected mathematical community.

 
 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS
 

Internal: Reports to Chief Scientific Advancement Officer work with staff in other departments to integrate EDI principles into all aspects of the organization; cooperate with staff in other departments on relevant projects.

External: Work with relevant AMS committees and officers on community advancement-related issues; partners with other societies and relevant organizations to promote a key AMS strategic priority of fostering an inclusive and connected mathematical community.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This role is expected to have future supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this role successfully, the best candidate will have experience working in a complex organization. We seek candidates who additionally have as many as possible of the following:                                      

• Ph.D. in mathematics or a closely related field.
• Recognized standing in the mathematics community, demonstrated through scholarship, professional service, or leadership roles
• Proven ability to convene diverse stakeholders and translate discussions into actionable strategies.
• Deep understanding of the barriers and opportunities related to opportunity and access in STEM higher education.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to write for multiple audiences and present to varied groups.
• Experience directly leading a program or initiative is desirable but not required.
• Demonstrated commitment to engagement, access, and opportunity and to advancing these values in professional practice.                                                              
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a team, including hiring, mentoring, and supporting professional development and growth.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and personal growth in the many facets of fostering strong mathematical community 
• Familiarity with using data to support opportunity, belonging, and inclusion efforts over time.
• Familiarity with careers and PhD programs in the mathematical sciences.

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 American Mathematical Society
• Innovative and results-oriented mindset
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Strong communication skills
• Experience working with governance bodies and volunteer leaders
• Ability to travel frequently for conferences, site visits, and partnership meetings
• Demonstrates flexibility in responding to work demands
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities, with a commitment to collaboration and teamwork
• Plans and organizes work effectively
• Accepts accountability for job performance and results
• 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
• Receptive to feedback and willing to try different approaches 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.

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.
• Performing primarily sedentary work with limited physical exertion and lifting up to 40 lbs.
• Extended work hours may be required to meet project deadlines or resolve unexpected problems.
• Must be able to travel 10% to 20% (domestically and perhaps internationally) to meetings and conferences. 

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.