Director, Association Operations and Meetings

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) is a professional and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery.

Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 90,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. For more information, visit www.facs.org.

Our Mission

The American College of Surgeons is dedicated to improving the care of the surgical patient and safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment.

Our Vision

To create a healthcare landscape where surgeons thrive and every patient has access to and benefits from the highest standards of surgical care, driven by innovation, education, leadership, and trust.

About the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST)

The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge to advance the care and rehabilitation of the injured patient. EAST places particular emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, scholarship, fellowship and developing leadership among early and mid-career surgeons active in the care of the injured patient.

EAST has a multidisciplinary membership of more than 3,900 comprised of trauma and acute care surgeons, emergency physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and medical students. Members generate and participate in EAST’s unique leadership, education, and career development programs and resources all designed to advance EAST’s mission, vision and core strategic goals.

The EAST Annual Scientific Assembly draws more than 1,000 attendees; scientific papers are presented and advances in the field are discussed. EAST also has established lectureships, scholarships and a development fund to promote, reward, and recognize individuals working in the field of injury and injury control.

Summary

The Director of Association Operations and Meetings provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) administrative functions and meetings/events portfolio.

This role ensures the successful planning and execution of conferences, board and committee meetings, and member events, while also overseeing administrative systems, governance support, and operational infrastructure that advance the association’s mission and strategic goals objectives.

The position serves as a key member of the leadership team and works collaboratively across departments to enhance member engagement, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability.

This exempt position will report to the Executive Director, EAST. It is based in our Chicago office and is a hybrid role: 3 days per week in the office/2 days per week remote.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $103,500 - $115,000 (commensurate with related experience).

Key Responsibilities

Association Operations and Governance Administration

• Provide leadership for day-to-day association operations, ensuring effective administrative support and operational efficiency.
• Support the Executive Director in governance administration, including Board and committee operations, agenda development, board materials, minutes oversight, policy tracking, and governance compliance.
• Coordinate Executive Committee meeting logistics, scheduling, communications, and operational follow-through.
• Translate Board-approved priorities into operational work plans and implementation timelines.
• Identify and implement process improvements and operational efficiencies to maximize staff and organizational resources.
• Serve as a key operational contact for member inquiries, vendor management, and issue resolution.

Financial and Operational Management

• Manage budget administration and financial operations in partnership with the Executive Director and EAST Treasurer.
• Monitor expenses, forecasting activities, invoice approvals, and audit coordination processes.
• Partner with contracted accounting and auditing resources to support financial reporting and compliance activities.
• Support operational decision-making through effective management of organizational resources and meeting-related expenditures.

Staff Leadership and Team Management

• Supervise and develop administrative coordinator staff through performance management, coaching, and professional development.
• Provide leadership and direction to administrative coordinator staff, volunteers, and vendors supporting operational and meeting activities.
• Establish priorities, allocate resources, and support collaboration across operational functions.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and service excellence across administrative and meeting operations.

Committee and Volunteer Leadership Support

• Serve as lead staff liaison to the Annual Scientific Assembly Committee and the Member Recruitment and Retention Committee.
• Collaborate with Committee Chairs to support committee goals, meeting coordination, communications, and operational execution.
• Assist with preparation of Board reports, conference calls, and committee materials.
• Provide operational guidance and support to volunteer leaders and committee stakeholders.

Meetings and Event Management

• Oversee operational planning and logistics for the EAST Annual Scientific Assembly and related meetings and events.
• Manage abstract submission processes, educational session proposal administration, committee scoring coordination, and Program Planning Meeting logistics.
• Direct meeting operations including audiovisual coordination, registration oversight, exhibits management, housing management, food and beverage planning, shipping logistics, and onsite execution.
• Coordinate contracts, vendor relationships, and venue logistics to support successful meeting outcomes.
• Support future meeting planning activities, including site visits, venue coordination, and operational assessments.
• Ensure meetings and events are executed within approved budgets, timelines, and organizational standards.

Vendor and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Manage relationships with vendors, contractors, venues, and service providers to ensure operational effectiveness and quality service delivery.
• Serve as a primary liaison with ACS registration and exhibits management contacts and external operational partners.
• Partner with the Executive Director and organizational leadership to support operational priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication and collaboration to ensure successful operational execution across programs and meetings.

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university is strongly preferred.
• At least 5 -10+ years of progressive experience in association administrative and meetings management is required.
• Experience managing complex meetings, conferences, operational processes, and vendor relationships is required.
• Experience supporting governance operations, volunteer leadership, committee management, and budget administration preferred.

Comprehensive Benefits

We’re committed to attracting and retaining top talent via valuable benefits!

• Vacation, personal, and sick hours including 13 paid holidays per year
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Medical—comprehensive coverage through BlueCross BlueShield
• Dental, Vision, and Prescription drug program
• 403(b) Matching Program
• Pension Plan
• Flexible Spending Medical/Dependent Care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Domestic Partner Coverage

The American College of Surgeons is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruitment@facs.org or call (312) 202-5000 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.