The Medieval Academy of America will be appointing a new Executive Director to succeed Paul E. Szarmach, who is not seeking reappointment. A search committee to recommend his successor has been named by the Council of the Medieval Academy: Elizabeth A. R. Brown (chair), Richard K. Emmerson, Herbert L. Kessler, Maryanne Kowaleski, Susan J. Noakes, Harvey Sharrer, and Alice-Mary Talbot. The appointment will commence no later than 1 September 2011. Salary will be commensurate with professional achievements and standing; additional compensation includes health and retirement benefits.
The following description of the position has been approved by the Council of the Medieval Academy:
The Executive Director is the chief administrative officer of the Medieval Academy, a nonprofit association formed in 1925 to promote and support research, publication, and teaching in all areas of medieval studies. He or she is appointed by the Academy’s elected Council for a five-year term (with the possibility of renewal for a second term) and reports to the Council and the elected President.
In consultation with the Academy’s officers and committees, the Executive Director provides intellectual, pedagogical, and technological leadership, keeping abreast of current developments in the field of medieval studies and recommending ways in which these can be supported or incorporated in the Academy’s various activities, including Academy publications. Therefore he or she should hold an advanced degree in a discipline related to medieval studies and must have knowledge of technology sufficient to evaluate the continuously changing electronic resources necessary to maintaining the Academy’s position in the field and to implementing appropriate electronic innovations. She or he should have experience managing a budget and staff and working with committees and individual persons on various projects. Fund-raising and grant administration experience is also desirable. Traditionally the Executive Director has also served as Editor of Speculum, the Academy’s journal.
NB. The Academy has been deliberating over the possible separation of the duties of the Editor of Speculum from those of Executive Director. The new Executive Director will be expected to participate in ongoing discussions on the subject.
Responsible for managing the Academy’s annual cycle of programs, the Executive Director supervises an office with a full-time staff, comprising an Associate Director, an Assistant to the Executive Director (who also serves as an office manager), the editor of Medieval Academy News, and an Office Assistant, who is also Webmaster.
The Executive Director’s major responsibilities include:
Leadership
• implementing the organization’s long-range planning
• enhancing and maintaining the Academy’s Web site and electronic presence
• preparing grant applications, working with potential donors, and raising funds for the Academy
• overseeing the evaluation and publication of Medieval Academy Books and Medieval Academy Reprints for Teaching and developing electronic publications
Execution
• overseeing all aspects of a membership organization—the annual cycle of programs, elections, meetings of the Council, Finance Committee, and Fellows, etc.
• working with the presidential officers and the Council
• organizing materials for and supervising the election of Academy officers, Councillors, and Fellows
• instructing and assisting all committees; also suggesting possible members for committee appointments made by the Council and the President
• planning the annual meeting, including negotiating with host institutions and hotels, establishing program and local arrangement committees, and overseeing meeting events
• communicating with the Treasurer and members of the Finance Committee, attending meetings, and helping the Finance Committee manage the financial resources of the Academy
• keeping the Academy’s books and preparing the annual budget and materials for the annual audit
• keeping the official records of the governing bodies and reporting to the Council
• serving as liaison with the Committee on Centers and Regional Associations (CARA) and the Digital Initiatives Advisory Board (DIAB)
• working with the President to represent the Academy at meetings of the American Council of Learned Societies, at the International Congress of Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University, the International Medieval Congress at Leeds, and other academic and professional groups
Management
• supervising the staff and administration of the Academy office
• hiring and evaluating staff and renting office space
• maintaining the computer network including the Web site and listservs
• overseeing membership services and support and responding to requests and complaints in a timely and helpful manner
• recruiting new members and soliciting payment of dues
• supervising preparation of the online publication of Medieval Academy News and other administrative publications
• overseeing programs for book subventions and prizes, travel grants, research grants, dissertation fellowships and CARA stipends, including publicity, supervision, evaluation, and the appointment of committees
Letters of nomination should be directed to the committee as soon as possible. Applications should include a letter focusing on qualifications and experience, a curriculum vitae, and the names of at least three referees. Nominations and applications should be directed to Elizabeth A. R. Brown and sent by e-mail attachment to smc@medievalacademy.org. The search will continue until the position is filled, but to receive full consideration applications should be submitted no later than 1 July 2010.
