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Executive Director of the Laser Institute of America (LIA).

Prefer Orlando based, hybrid possible, appropriate 200k salary+/OTE (on target earnings) package

Rudzinsky Associates, Engaged Search 8.24

About RA’s client, the Laser Institute of America (LIA)

The Laser Institute of America (LIA), founded in 1968, is a professional society for laser applications and safety. This non-profit organization serves industrial, educational, medical, research, and government communities across the globe. Membership includes both corporate and individual members including: laser researchers/engineers, manufacturers, integrators, and end users—all working together to increase the use and safe application of laser technologies. The LIA is especially known for laser safety training and certification, conferences such as the ILSC (International Laser Safety Conference), ICALEO (International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics).

Executive Director Position at LIA:

The Executive Director of the LIA is a fulltime position that manages the LIA staff and works with the elected LIA Board of Trustees to meet LIA’s mission (https://www.lia.org/about-lia). As the head of this non-profit and technically oriented small business enterprise, the Executive Director is responsible for developing strategic plans that meet the charter of the organization while broadening its scope for the greater good of the membership, industry, academia and government.

LIA seeks an Executive Director with the experience and qualifications to build on the rich foundation of this organization, providing technical, engineering, and scientific knowledge, and professional development for members, advancing the mission and fostering a brighter future for the organization and its members. Key priorities include, but not limited to:

1. Increasing corporate and individual membership with visibility to early and mid-career professionals worldwide.
2. Increasing attention / exposure to new laser-related technologies and their applications and with laser safety.
3. Concentrating focus on organizational results based on the strategic objectives set by the Board of Trustees.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Technical Outlook): An earned undergraduate degree in engineering, science, or a related field with focus on lasers/optics/photonics is strongly desired. 10 years + Proven leadership skills, business management skills and the ability to communicate a broad understanding of technology and market trends in laser applications and laser safety.

Preferred Qualifications (Experience): Given to those with laser related experience in industry, a technical professional society, or other organization related to lasers/optics/photonics. This experience should include, but is not limited to leadership, staff management, budget planning, and corporate strategic planning.

Work Modality: Preference will be given to those candidates who are interested in working full-time and in-person at the LIA office in Orlando, Florida. Other candidates may be considered for this position on a hybrid basis.

Executive Director’s Duties: Essential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:

ROUTINE ACTIVITIES

• Lead the organization to corporate and individual member growth by defining and presenting a strategic plan to the Board of Trustees.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the Orlando, FL, based office, including management of the staff, LIA programs, and activities of the LIA to assure that objectives are attained, plans fulfilled, and member needs are met.
• Achieves cost effective, productive business performance, through forward-looking programming, and constructive growth of the LIA as a non-profit organization as specified by its charter and mission statement.
• Represents the LIA to industry, academia, NGO’s and government and acts as the face of the organization to the public.
• Maintains and enhances internal and external relationships with individual and corporate members. Builds new relationships with corporate and individual members.
• As chief staff executive, recommends, and participates in the formulation of policies and makes decisions within existing guidelines for staff and the organization.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY

Within the limits of the bylaws, and policies of LIA, the Executive Director is responsible for and has commensurate authority to accomplish the duties set forth below:

• Ensures the Board of Trustees is kept fully informed and communicated with on all aspects of LIA operations and on all important factors influencing them. Calls and attends all meetings of the Executive Officers and Board of Trustees.
• Plans, formulates, and recommends for the approval of the Board of Trustees policies, programs, and procedures that will further the objectives of the LIA.
• Executes all decisions of the Board of Trustees except when other assignments are specifically made by the Officers and/or Board.
• Establishes an effective organizational structure for the LIA headquarters’ office to accomplish LIA goals, objectives, programs. Directs and coordinates all approved programs, projects, and major activities of the headquarters staff.
• Recruits, hires, trains, and motivates staff personnel. Responsible for all promotions and terminations. Obtains optimal staff performance by clearly defining their duties, mentoring, establishing performance standards, conducting performance reviews, and maintaining a competitive salary structure.
• Provides the necessary liaison and staff support to committee chairs and committees to enable them to properly perform their duties. Sees that committee decisions and recommendations are submitted to the Board of Trustees for consideration and approval.
• Executes contracts and commitments as may be authorized by the Board of Directors.
• Promotes interest and active participation in the LIA’s activities and reports activities of the Board of Trustees and the LIA through the communications media of the organization.
• Maintains effective relationships with other organizations, both public and private, and sees that the position of the LIA and its members is enhanced in accordance with the goals and objectives of the organization.
• In cooperation with the LIA Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, develops, recommends, and upon approval, operates within an annual budget. Ensures that all funds, physical assets, and other property of the LIA are appropriately administered and safeguarded. Works with the Chief Financial Officer to maintain proper records for annual audits.
• Plans, organizes and directs membership promotion and retention programs, evaluates results, and recommends policies, procedures, and actions to achieve membership goals. Collects dues and terminates delinquent members.
• Plans and conducts member annual general meeting (AGM), conferences and workshops, utilizing a volunteer advisory committee in the development and execution of conference programming. Exercises control of conference/workshop budgets and all arrangements in an effort to meet financial objectives.
• Maintains official minutes of the Officers, the Board of Trustees, and other official LIA meetings of the organization, provides security for all files, legal and historic documents, membership, and mailing lists.
• Responsible for the planning, promotion, and administration of all official meetings of the organization.
• With staff plans and executes all communications to the general membership, which include newsletters, general mailings, news releases, research reports, publications, etc.
• Carries out such other general responsibilities as may be designated by the Board of Trustees.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Responsible for the accreditation by ANSI of the Z136 Standards Committee. This includes but is not limited to directing staff to properly maintain records and prepare for audits by ANSI.