The Southern Sociological Society (SSS) seeks an innovative, organized, and experienced leader to serve as its next Executive Officer. Established in 1935, SSS promotes rigorous research, excellence in teaching and mentoring, and collegiality. As the nation’s largest regional organization of professional sociologists, SSS membership includes a cross-section of academia like small and community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), liberal arts schools, and research-intensive institutions.
The Executive Officer oversees the work of the Society, reports to the Executive Committee, and represents its interests with outside groups, allies, and stakeholders. The work of SSS includes publication of a journal and newsletter, an annual meeting, and elections. With its resources provided entirely by dues, fees, and donations, the Executive Officer will be expected to govern those funds wisely as they support SSS in creating a dynamic experience for our members.
Below are a few prominent duties of the Executive Officer. A complete list of the specific duties associated with this position can be found here (SSS By-Laws, Page 6, Article 6, Section 5).
- Provide institutional memory and organizational consistency across administrations as Executive Officer and as a member of Executive Committee;
- Manage the revenues and expenses of the Society and maintaining fiscal records through budgeting and bookkeeping;
- Coordinate, organize, and manage the SSS Executive Officer and work closely with the Assistant Executive Officer (typically, but not mandatorily, a graduate student at the Executive Officer’s institution);
- Organize, draft, and provide effective communication to SSS membership regarding Society business, events, opportunities, elections, etc., always keeping front and center the fact that SSS is a membership organization;
- Work closely with the President, Vice President, Program Chair(s), Local Arrangements Chair, and others each membership year to organize and manage the SSS Annual Meeting
The new Executive Officer will shadow the current Executive Officer during the 2023 (in-person) meeting in Myrtle Beach and (virtually) until December 31, 2023, when the current Executive Officer’s term expires. The term of the new Executive Officer is 5 years and will run from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028. The position comes with several types of compensation: a $3500 annual stipend, covered travel and lodging to and from both the site visit and the annual meeting, and others. For the shadowing period of 2023, the selected candidate will be paid $3500.
(Ideal) Applicants for Executive Officer will be expected to have 1) a doctoral degree in sociology or related field; 2) experience with fiscal management and contract negotiations; 3) management experience in higher education; 4) a collaborative and transparent leadership style; 5) a demonstrated commitment to diversity; 6) prior service on the SSS Executive Committee; and 7) a member of SSS in good financial standing.
We welcome applications even if you do not meet all identified ideal benchmarks.
The review of applications will begin October 10, 2022 and finalists will be notified by December 1, 2022. Application packages must include a 1) CV and 2) letter of interest (no more than 3 double spaced pages) outlining the candidate’s qualifications. Completed application packages should be sent to Rhiannon Leebrick at leebrickra@wofford.edu. Finalists for the position will be asked to submit three letters of reference.
If you have any questions regarding this position you may contact Earl Wright II (2022-2023 SSS President) wrighte@rhodes.edu, Stephanie Bohon (2021-2022 SSS Past-President) sbohon@utk.edu, or David Brunsma (Executive Officer) brunsmad@vt.edu.
The Southern Sociological Society seeks an energetic, creative, and highly capable leader to serve as its next Executive Officer. Established in 1935, the Southern Sociological Society promotes rigorous research, excellence in teaching and mentoring, and collegiality for those engaged in research and teaching. As the nation’s largest regional organization of professional sociologists, the Southern Sociological Society membership includes a cross-section of academia including small and community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), liberal arts schools, and research-intensive institutions. This organization was founded on the premise of (racial and gender) inclusivity and this remains a core tenant as we continue into the twenty-first century.
The Executive Officer oversees the work of the Society and reports to the Executive Committee. The work of the Society includes publication of a journal and newsletter, an annual meeting, and elections. The Executive Officer represents the Society and its interests with outside groups, allies, and stakeholders. The next Executive Officer will need to build upon the well-run and strong financial components of the Society.
(Ideal) Applicants for the SSS Executive Officer position will be expected to 1) have a doctoral degree in sociology or related field; 2) experience with fiscal management and contract negotiations; 3) management experience in higher education; 4) a collaborative and transparent leadership style; 5) a demonstrated commitment to diversity; and 6) prior service on the SSS Executive Committee. A complete list of the specific duties associated with this position can be found here. We welcome applications even if you do not meet all identified ideal benchmarks. In addition, the position comes with a $3500 annual stipend and travel and lodging to and from both the site visit and the annual meeting are covered.
The review of applications will begin October 10, 2022 and the new EO will be selected before SSS 2023 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The new EO will shadow the current EO during the 2023 (in-person) meeting in Myrtle Beach and (virtually) until December 31, 2023, when their term expires. The term of the new EO will run from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028.
Applications should include be sent to: Rhiannon Leebrick at leebrickra@wofford.edu
If you have any questions regarding this position email/call:
Draft of List:
The following (likely incomplete) list lays out the various responsibilities of the SSS Executive Officer. In no particular order:
A brief description of the position of SSS Executive Officer is outlined in the SSS ByLaws, Article VI, Section 5 (click here).
Provide institutional memory and organizational consistency across administrations as Executive Officer and as a member of Executive Committee
Manage the revenues and expenses of the Society and maintaining fiscal records through bookkeeping and budgeting
Chair the Finance Committee to ensure the Society’s fiscal health
Coordinate, organize, and manage the SSS Executive Office and work closely with the Assistant Executive Officer (typically a graduate student at the Executive Officer’s institution)
Organize, draft, and provide effective communication to SSS membership regarding Society business, events, opportunities, elections, etc., always keeping front and center the fact that SSS is a membership organization
Maintain relationships with other regional and national Societies/Associations and their Executive Officers
Work closely with the President, Vice President, Program Chair(s), Local Arrangements Chair, and others each membership year to organize and manage the SSS Annual Meeting
Bring vision and innovation to the Society while supporting its mission and the SSS membership
Work to ensure justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to the Society’s organizational life in policy and practice
Prepare annual budgets and closely monitor them
Maintain Society records and send materials to SSS archives in regular intervals
Construct and distribute ballots for the annual election, ByLaws and/or Constitution changes, and other special balloting
Work with Site Selection Committee to consider annual meeting sites, vet and negotiate hotel contracts, and keep all annual meeting records
Work with hotel representatives to ensure smooth running of the annual meeting, including, but not limited to, contractual elements, accommodations for membership (e.g., lactation space, child care, gender-neutral bathrooms, etc.), Audio-Visual needs, rooming needs, catering orders, set-up of annual meeting breakout rooms, organizing conference flow and staffing, billing, and much more
Prepare Executive Officer report annually to present at annual meeting to Executive Committee and to membership at the Business Meeting
Work to ensure an amazing experience for the President’s plenary speakers/VIPs
Work to understand membership changing needs, concerns, and positionalities in order to best support membership through the Society organization
Communicate with SSS Committees to ensure consistency and field questions, discuss process, provide data needs, and provide support
Serve as ex-officio on SSS Publications Committee to ensure the health of SSS publications and monitor our contractual agreements with Sage
Order and transport all necessary materials to the annual meeting
Keep and maintain the SSS-owned equipment necessary for running the annual meeting and used in the Executive Office
Organize the Exhibits (publishers, committees, local bookstore, other organizations, etc.) for annual meeting, including organizing the Book Signings
Organize the annual Site Visit
Follow SSS Constitution and ByLaws to accomplish Society business
And others.