The American Physiological Society (APS), a global leader in advancing scientific discovery and understanding of biological function, has built a strong and stable financial foundation through its highly respected journals, professional development programs, and engaged community of nearly 10,000 scientists and educators. Today, the Society is exploring new ways to expand impact and ensure longer-term sustainability through revenue diversification and strategic investment management. As Chief Financial and Administration Officer, you will help guide how APS deploys its financial resources and organizational capabilities to support that innovation and growth.
As a strategic partner to the CEO and a key member of the executive leadership team, you will serve as the organization’s senior financial and operations executive, overseeing four direct reports and with a total team of 10 across finance, HR, IT, and business development. With responsibility for a $18MM operating budget and approximately $80MM in reserves, you will lead all accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and enterprise risk management activities, and work closely with executive leadership to lead long-range financial planning, develop a strategic framework to better leverage reserves and investments, and support the evaluation of new business initiatives. This includes financial modeling and decision support related to professional development, sponsorship growth, events, and targeted merger, acquisition, and strategic partnership opportunities. In addition to your strategic finance leadership, you’ll provide executive management of day-to-day finance, HR, and operations teams, and oversee systems modernization, including an upcoming AMS implementation.
How You’ll Make an Impact
APS members have contributed to advances in treatments and cures for everything from cancer and heart disease to obesity and addiction. In this role, you will help strengthen the Society’s ability to support scientific discoveries across the physiology community through disciplined financial leadership, modernization of operational systems and processes, and a forward-thinking approach to resource allocation. Success in your first 1-2 years will be demonstrated by:
- Building financial planning and analysis capabilities that improve forecasting, support scenario planning, and help leadership make informed decisions about spending, investments, and operational priorities.
- Developing a reserve and investment strategy that enables the Society to thoughtfully invest in new ideas, programs, and growth ventures that expand mission impact.
- Partnering across the organization to support revenue diversification by providing rigorous financial analysis and guidance on programs, partnerships, and revenue opportunities beyond the core publishing portfolio.
- Reshaping how financial information is presented to the Board and Finance Committee to generate productive discussions around strategy and risk, including how reserves may be used to support innovation and R&D initiatives.
- Leading operational functions to ensure the Society has the infrastructure needed to execute its strategy, including overseeing system upgrades and AI and automation enablement.
- Building and developing a high-performing finance and accounting team with the processes and capabilities needed to support APS’s strategic goals.
- Partnering with the CEO and Human Resources Business Partner to strengthen organization-wide culture, fostering a supportive, collaborative, and performance-driven hybrid work environment.
Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits
- APS offers a flexible hybrid work model, with employees based out of our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland (Washington, DC metro area).
- The budgeted salary range for this position is $230K – $270k with an outstanding benefits package, including a 403(b) retirement plan; paid holidays; generous annual and sick leave; medical, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; and life and short- and long-term disability insurance.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of APS’s financial strategy and financial planning processes, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and assessment of organizational financial performance in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan and long-term sustainability goals.
- Provide insight and recommendations to maximize revenue, manage expenses, and support short- and long-term organizational planning.
- Continuously assess and monitor organizational risk exposure and ensure the CEO and Treasurer is routinely informed of the financial health of the organization, including risks, opportunities, and emerging concerns.
- Oversee the identification, acquisition, and implementation of financial and operational systems and evaluate internal processes to enhance reporting, automation, efficiency, and departmental effectiveness.
- Partner with the CEO, Finance and Audit Committee, and investment advisors to develop and execute investment strategies that maintain adequate reserves and ensure appropriate liquidity.
- Provide executive oversight and leadership to finance and operations personnel, including Information Technology, Human Resources, and the Operations Division Coordinator.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with the APS Board of Directors, Finance and Audit Committee, CEO, and executive leadership team, and serve as staff liaison to the Finance Committee.
- Conduct risk assurance and due diligence activities in support of mergers, acquisitions, new product development, and other significant business transactions.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as APS policies.
- Manage key vendor and external partner relationships. Oversee the Society’s relationship with building management providers and lessees.
- Participate in cross-functional leadership initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness.
Qualifications
- 15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including responsibility for financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and organizational planning, with experience supporting growth initiatives or revenue diversification efforts.
- Experience overseeing operational or administrative functions such as HR, IT, or business development, including experience leading financial or operational systems implementations and process improvements.
- Experience developing and overseeing reserve, investment, or capital allocation strategies.
- Experience within an association or nonprofit organization is preferred.
- Master’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field is required (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
About the American Physiological Society
Founded in 1887, the American Physiological Society is a global leader in expanding knowledge related to biological function. In addition to 8,000 members, we engage with a multidisciplinary community of nearly 10,000 scientists and educators worldwide, driving collaboration and spotlighting scientific discoveries in physiology and related disciplines through our programs and journals. Our members are advancing treatments and cures for everything from cancer and heart disease to obesity and addiction. They are also deepening our insight into living organisms generally, helping us to better understand how things like climate change are affecting the world around us.
Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.
