APS posts job description for executive director

The search for the new American Philatelic Society executive director is underway.

A job description has been posted on the society’s website, accompanied by a letter from APS president Stephen Reinhard.

The president’s letter describes circumstances that have changed the stamp hobby in recent years, and which led the APS board of directors to “change the executive level focus of our efforts on behalf of our 32,000 members.”

The APS board voted unanimously in late January to replace Ken Martin as the society’s executive director. Martin, who had served as executive director since 2009 (when he was appointed interim director), was offered the position of APS chief operating officer.

According to Reinhard, other hobbies and activities are competing for the interests of people of all ages, and he notes that many of those who do collect stamps do not belong to organized philately.

“We are looking for a leader with vision, one who has a proven track record of growing organizations,” Reinhard wrote. “The leader who will become our new Executive Director will have increased responsibilities focused on development of membership, outreach opportunities, new and improved services for our members and new fundraising sources.”

A separate letter captioned “National Search for Executive Director” states that the person selected for the position “will be responsible for organizational, program and financial priorities, including membership recruitment, strategic planning and fundraising.”

The description adds that the executive director will be responsible for representing the interests of the society to other professional organizations, the media and the broader stamp collecting community.

Reinhard also mentions in his letter that the APS needs to build partnerships with other organizations, both within philately and outside the hobby.

The executive director is charged with executing the vision of the society as “America’s Stamp Club,” according to the position description.

The first item of responsibility listed is “Establish the framework for improving the financial security and future of the Organization,” which includes both the APS and the American Philatelic Research Library.

The new executive director also is expected to create a membership growth program, improve membership services and drive new service innovations.

Annual membership attrition has been about 3.5 percent, according to the APS, “a trend that will only be stemmed by a new approach to recruitment and retention.”

The new executive director will work from the society’s headquarters, the American Philatelic Center in Bellefonte, Pa. The society has a full-time equivalent staff of 32 and more than 35 on-site volunteers. Its 2014 operating budget is $4.3 million.

Full details of the position posting are on the society’s website at http://stamps.org/Employment. The documents available online include an extended description of the society, Reinhard’s letter, the position posting and a separate announcement letter.

The deadline for application is May 31. After that date, the board will select applicants for an initial telephone interview.