Executive Director

The American Pediatric Society (APS) and the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) (the Societies) seek a shared Executive Director. Over the past decade, the Societies have expanded significantly, each articulating new mission statements, developing new strategic plans, and launching new or expanded educational programs, collaborations, and awards. The incoming Executive Director will capitalize on this momentum to propel the Societies to their next eras of greatness.

Both Societies operate in a mission-driven manner, confer awards to honor distinguished achievement, and offer various educational and networking programs for members. Established in 1888, the mission of the APS is “shaping the future of academic pediatrics through engagement of distinguished child health leaders to represent the full diversity within the field”. The APS has more than 1,800 members who are esteemed leaders in academic pediatrics in North America. Established in 1929, the mission of the SPR is “to create a multi-disciplinary network of diverse researchers to improve child health”. The SPR’s approximately 4,000 members are active pediatric researchers, most of whom also provide patient care at academic medical centers in the United States. There are also many pediatric clinician-scientists who are members and loyal to both organizations.

Although they are separate 501(c)3 organizations with distinct missions, strategies, and identities, the APS and SPR pursue similar goals and have a long history of close collaboration and joint programming. Together the Societies are two of the four partner societies of the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) which produces the PAS Meeting. The Societies are also two of the three society owners of the scientific journal, Pediatric Research. The Societies desire to continue offering new or enhanced programs to address the interests and needs of members. APS is eager to extend its reach across all of North America while mentoring future generations of leaders (and future APS members) as well as attending to the special late career stage needs of current members. SPR brings recognition its programs must continue to evolve – or be created – to address early- and mid-career member needs as well as respond to changes in the business models of academic medical centers and pediatric research.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the Societies, the Executive Director is tasked with supporting these ambitions. To do so, this leader must drive a strategic visioning and planning process with each society, enhancing their respective reach, value propositions to members, and member engagement. The Executive Director must also diversify revenues and generate new revenue sources, including through fundraising. The incoming Executive Director will also steward board relations, and lead and inspire a talented and diverse staff under a unique shared services model. Above all, this leader will serve as a unifying force for the Societies, respecting their unique missions while fostering unity and a shared sense of commitment to advancing health for all children.

Natalie Leonhard and Randi Herrick are leading this search with Kendra Moleé. 

APS & SPR are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and fully support the principle of equal employment opportunity in every aspect of the employment relationship. APS & SPR will not discriminate in employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, citizenship status, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, assault, or stalking, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by law.