Senior Director, Student Engagement Operations

POSITION TITLE:
Senior Director, Student Engagement Operations

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) is a federation of 10 Member Societies which together have nearly 120,000 members across the globe. Founded in 1931, AIP is a federation that advances the success of our Member Societies and an institute that engages in research and analysis to empower positive change in the physical sciences. Our overarching strategy is to advance the physical sciences with a unifying voice of strength from diversity.

We want you to become a part of our mission and join our dynamic team!

The American Institute of Physics (AIP) seeks a Senior Director of Student Engagement Operations to provide operational leadership for AIP’s undergraduate-focused student programs, including the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and Sigma Pi Sigma Physics and Astronomy Honor Society. The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a collegiate chapter-based membership organization within the American Institute of Physics (AIP) which serves as a professional association explicitly designed for undergraduate students and their advisors.

The purpose of SPS is to help students transform themselves into contributing members of the professional community. Within SPS is housed Sigma Pi Sigma, which elects members on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and community service. This role is responsible for translating strategy into execution, ensuring strong day-to-day program operations, effective people management, financial stewardship, and high-quality program delivery.

The Senior Director collaborates with AIP Foundation to develop and support fundraising strategies through sponsorship, donor and corporate gifts, and grants from private foundations and government sponsors. Reporting to the AIP Career Opportunity and Advancement Officer (COAO) who serves as the strategic lead on AIP’s Executive Team for student engagement, the Senior Director will manage staff, oversee program operations, coordinate governance and volunteer activities, and ensure that student engagement initiatives are executed efficiently, equitably, and in alignment with AIP’s mission and priorities.

Examples of programs include a summer internship program, multiple scholarship programs, career development resources, educational outreach resources, leadership development, alumni engagement and networking, regional meetings, and a triennial national meeting focused on undergraduates in physics and astronomy. This position is ideal for an experienced nonprofit or higher-education leader with deep operational expertise, strong people-management skills, and a passion for supporting undergraduate and graduate students in the physical sciences who brings an understanding of academic culture and experience engaging students and faculty in volunteer-driven, student-focused programs.

Periodic travel to visit chapters, regional meetings, and national meetings will be required. The director will also need to attend periodic virtual meetings outside of normal business hours to effectively interface with stakeholders.

Operational Leadership & Program Execution

• Direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of AIP’s student engagement programs, ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery across all initiatives.
• Translate the strategic vision set by the COAO into operational plans, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Apply project and program management principles to ensure smooth execution of programs, services, and events, including student professional development initiatives and large-scale convenings such as the Physics & Astronomy Congress.
• Continuously assess and improve operational processes to enhance efficiency, scalability, and member experience.
• Manage cross functional operational projects from initiation through completion.
• Maintain and grow membership in the societies, deepen chapter engagement, and improve member benefits.

People Management & Team Development

• Lead, manage, and support a team of staff committed to advancing the missions of SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and accountable team culture that…