APHON Executive Director Position Profile
The Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON), located in Chicagoland in Illinois, is searching for its Executive Director.
APHON Overview
APHON is the professional organization for pediatric hematology/oncology nurses and other pediatric hematology/oncology healthcare professionals. Its members are dedicated to promoting optimal nursing care for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and blood disorders, and their families.
APHON provides leadership and expertise to pediatric hematology/oncology nurses by defining and promoting the highest standards of practice and care to the pediatric, adolescent, and young adult communities.
Since its founding in the early 1970’s, the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) has been managed by an association management company for its daily administration. The APHON Board of Directors (Board) has determined they would like to become an independent association and grow their reach domestically and globally.
As an interim step, APHON’s Board has recently issued an RFP (request for proposal) for a new association management company while it continues to grow its revenue and reserves required to support an independent operation.
The APHON Board is now ready to directly hire an experienced and passionate association executive with strong leadership and management skills to grow their member-driven association, consistent with its strategic direction, and to oversee the association management company staff assigned to APHON.
The Executive Director will partner with APHON’s Board to drive revenue growth, global expansion and brand recognition as the association moves toward becoming an independent association.
APHON has engaged .orgSource to assist with this important search as well as to help facilitate the management company search and decision.
Inquiries, recommendations, and applications should be directed in confidence to .orgSource, as indicated under Application Process at the end of this invitation.
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
History
In 1973, four pediatric oncology nurses met at one conference and recognized the value of sharing their experiences. They went on to plan a special interest session for the 1974 Association for Care of Children's Health (ACCH) conference. 40 nurses attended. With a shared enthusiasm, they began to explore ways to continue their communication.
On November 3, 1974, APON (Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses) dedicated to the care of children with cancer, was born. The organization was incorporated in 1976. In 2006, the membership voted to become APHON (Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses) to include the care of hematology patients. The scope of care definition was expanded to include adolescents and young adults.
During the past 40+ years, the organization has grown to encompass more than 4,000 members in the United States, Canada, and around the world.
Strategic Priorities
APHON’s current strategic plan spans 2021 – 2024.
Mission: The mission of APHON is to support and advance nurses in optimizing outcomes for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families through the continuum of care for their blood disorders and cancers.
Vision: Pediatric hematology and oncology nurses are setting, advocating for, and achieving the highest standards of care for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families.
Governance Structure
APHON has an active 7-member Board with an Executive Committee operating in a quasi-policy governance model. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board. The Board delegates the management of APHON’s day-to-day operations to the Executive Director.
APHON’s board has 13 standing committees and 1 task force.
Staff and Office Location
The Executive Director will be APHON’s direct employee. The office location will be dependent upon the selection of the new association management company.
The Executive Director is expected to work remotely until APHON makes decisions regarding housing staff in an office.
Budget
The current operating budget of APHON is $2.2 million. Major revenue sources include but are not limited to registration fees (28%); products sales (19%); member dues (14%); renewal fees (14%); sponsorships (12%); exhibits (4%), their journal (3%) and grants (2%). Major categories of expenses include but are not limited to the annual conference (25%); products (20%); membership (10%); journal (6%); courses (5%).
For additional information about APHON, please visit its website at https://aphon.org
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Executive Director reports to the Board of APHON. The Executive Director serves as the chief of staff responsible for the management, operation and success of APHON.
The Executive Director’s success will be judged by progress towards these three-year goals:
- Ensure smooth operations at the new management company.
- Grow APHON’s membership and customer base, globally and domestically.
- Grow annual revenue and reserves to fund the transition to independent operation.
- Drive APHON brand development to support growth, education, and advocacy initiatives domestically and globally.
- Improve member and customer service.
- Prepare APHON to be successful as an independent association in five years.
Among the critical competencies for success are the following:
Strategic Leadership
- Enhances the sustainability of the core business, ensuring appropriate resource allocations are made for both people and systems.
- Facilitates a “systems” view of the profession by looking externally at APHON’s future needs to anticipate changes and analyze their potential implications.
- Positions APHON as a global leader in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nursing. Thinks globally and long term to enable a future of advancement for APHON and the profession through strategic visioning, leadership, and collaborative dialogue (internal and external including with competing factions).
- Sustains strategic direction through environmental scanning, strategic thinking, planning and management of APHON’s network and financial resources.
- Ensures ongoing and new initiatives are carefully considered for alignment with the strategic plan.
- Builds trusting relationships with key partners and stakeholders.
- Motivates APHON Board and members by example.
Governance
- Serves on the Board of APHON in an ex-officio capacity.
- Works in close collaboration with the President and the Board in providing governance support to facilitate the strategic direction of APHON.
- Promotes and demonstrates the highest standards of ethics.
- Fosters a culture that advances diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within membership.
- Communicates openly, transparently, and regularly, keeping the Board fully informed on the condition of APHON and crucial factors influencing its success.
Operational
- Oversees, monitors, and maintains the financial health of APHON. Implements fiscal controls and ensures all assets are appropriately safeguarded and administered.
- Projects the short- and long-term financial outlook and needs of APHON.
- Guides APHON’s work through annual planning and year end evaluation of performance.
- Builds an effective organizational structure to support the strategic direction established by APHON’s Board.
- Creates a strong team by creating, fostering, and supporting a positive, proactive organizational environment of innovation, cooperation, DEI, and accountability.
- Keeps abreast of industry trends in similar organizations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for the Executive Director role will possess the following background, experience, and skills:
- 8+ years of progressively responsible experience in association management and/or senior leadership with a record of working with boards to develop and lead the implementation of strategies that have increased global brand recognition and improved both top line revenue and the bottom-line.
- Proven experience in driving both domestic and global growth. Adept at thinking creatively and bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to APHON’s leadership.
- Success in working with boards to develop strategic direction, develop consensus, and effect growth.
- Demonstrated ability to achieve timely results while gaining consensus from and resolving issues with volunteer leaders and key stakeholders. Enthusiastically engages and responds to the perspectives of a broad range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to consistently measure and gauge performance of programs and adapt, as necessary.
- Proven results in developing plans and aligning programs, policies, and operations with the strategic direction, on an ongoing basis. Has experience with start-up initiatives that result in revenue generation.
- Experience with development and administration of budgets and financial proformas.
- Demonstrated experience with certification and supporting education is highly desirable.
- Success in identifying and directing outside partnerships and resources to maximize their contributions for strategic results.
- Proven experience in creating, building, and leading accountable, high-performing, diverse teams of volunteers and indirect reporting relationships.
- Experience fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the leadership, staff, and profession.
- Ability to communicate complex professional issues in a professional, tactful, and articulate manner.
- A high degree of emotional intelligence, humility, and effective communications and interpersonal skills.
- Entrepreneurial, resourceful, passionate about the association’s mission and willing to go beyond the basic job requirements.
- Healthcare background in association management is highly preferrable.
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s Degree recommended.
CAE (Certified Association Executive) preferred.
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be provided to attractive outstanding candidates.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Evaluation of prospective candidates will begin immediately. Inquiries, recommendations, and applicants should be addressed to Michelle@orgSource.com. For best consideration, please email cover letter, resume, and diversity statement in confidence to: Michelle Czosek at Michelle@orgSource.com by January 23, 2023.
Contacts:
Michelle Czosek
Consultant
609-843-9816
Elizabeth M. Lucas
Senior Consultant
847-354-3104
