Executive Director

About the organization

The American Association of Career Schools advances excellence in beauty, barbering, and wellness education by supporting schools, instructors, students, and industry partners. We convene stakeholders, lead regulatory advocacy, and deliver member-focused programs that raise professional standards and student outcomes.

Position summary :
The Executive Director (ED) is the association’s chief executive, responsible for strategic leadership, operational management, financial stewardship, membership growth and satisfaction, and external advocacy. The ED reports to the Board of Directors, serves as the primary spokesperson, and leads a small team of employees to deliver engaging events and educational programs, revenue diversification, and regulatory engagement that sustain and advance the association’s mission.

• Implement board-approved strategy and drive long-term organizational goals.
• Hire, lead, mentor, and evaluate a small, high-performing team; foster a collaborative culture.
• Demonstrate emotionally intelligent leadership, including strong self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to build trust, communicate clearly, and navigate conflict effectively in a member-driven nonprofit environment.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, annual budget development/management, and monthly financial reporting; ensure fiscal integrity and tax/compliance requirements.
• Expand and diversify revenue streams (membership, sponsor ships, fundraising, earned revenue).
• Lead legislative and regulatory advocacy; build and maintain relationships with regulators, policymakers, and industry partners.
• Grow and retain membership through value-driven programs, services, and engagement strategies.
• Serve as the association’s primary spokesperson to members, media, regulators, and partners.
• Support and strengthen Board governance; provide timely, accurate reporting and recommend policy as appropriate.
• Oversee and project manage marketing, communications, events, meetings (Board, committees), contracts, and administrative policies.
• Other duties as assigned by the Board.

• Passion for and demonstrated understanding of beauty & wellness education and its stakeholders.
• Proven leadership in an association or member-based organization (5+ years preferred).
• Direct experience with legislative or regulatory advocacy related to education or professional licensing.
• Strong strategic, financial, and operational management skills, including budget preparation and financial reporting.
• Successful experience managing small teams and supervising staff.
• Demonstrated success in membership development, stakeholder engagement, and public representation.
• Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, and evaluate projects that advance member engagement, retention, and program delivery. Skilled in managing timelines, budgets, cross-functional teams, and volunteer stakeholders while maintaining clear communication and alignment with organizational goals. Able to prioritize effectively, mitigate risks, and adapt to evolving member needs while delivering measurable results.

• Experience with fundraising, sponsor ships, or earned-revenue models.
• Existing relationships with regulatory bodies, training institutions, or industry associations.
• Track record of membership growth and retention initiatives.

• High integrity, transparent leadership, and strong emotional intelligence (self-awareness, empathy, conflict navigation).
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment and results orientation.
• Strong public speaking and interpersonal skills; ability to build trust across members, staff, volunteers, and board.
• Organized, decisive, and able to perform under pressure.

• Reports to:
  
  Board of Directors
• Authority to manage staff, recommend budget and policy, approve contracts (per Board policy), and represent the association publicly.