Executive Director

Organizational Overview

The Asia Pacific Society of Association Executives (APSAE) serves as the leading professional society for association executives and leaders throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Committed to advancing the field of association management, APSAE provides its members from trade associations, professional societies, and non-profit organizations with education, networking opportunities, research, and advocacy across multiple APAC jurisdictions and cultures.

Position Summary

APSAE seeks an Executive Director to serve as its chief executive officer, spearheading strategic leadership, operational management, and organizational oversight in collaboration with the Board of Directors. This founding executive role is focused on establishing and growing APSAE's presence across APAC, ensuring mission advancement, financial sustainability, and broad member engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Board to develop and implement strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with APSAE's mission and regional needs.
• Act as principal advisor and liaison to the Board, maintaining transparent and effective governance partnerships across diverse cultures and time zones.
• Keep the Board informed on organizational performance metrics, financial health, risks, and sector developments within APAC.
• Support Board orientation, leadership succession, and governance procedures.
• Participate in all Board and Executive Committee meetings and present annual reports.
• Manage official Board records and ensure proper stewardship of legal and membership documents across multiple jurisdictions.
• Lead strategic plan execution in coordination with the Board and staff.
• Oversee daily operations ensuring consistency with governance direction and operational excellence within a remote-first, cross-border context.
• Develop and maintain administrative policies, internal controls, and compliance with fiduciary, legal, and ethical standards, including data privacy and employment laws across APAC.
• Implement risk management strategies, including insurance and data security protocols.
• Manage association technology platforms such as membership management, financial systems, and communication tools.
• Prepare and oversee the annual budget with the Treasurer and Board, ensuring financial oversight including audits and investment policies.
• Advance financial sustainability initiatives including reserve planning and diversified revenue streams such as corporate partnerships and sponsorships tailored for the APAC market.
• Recruit, supervise, and develop a remote professional staff located across various APAC time zones, fostering an inclusive and high-performing organizational culture.
• Implement performance management and ensure employment law compliance in relevant countries.
• Lead membership growth, retention, and engagement initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region, supporting volunteer leadership and committees effectively.
• Provide oversight for educational programs and the annual APAC association leadership conference, promoting innovation in delivery formats accessible across APAC.
• Serve as APSAE’s spokesperson and enhance visibility within the APAC association sector and nonprofit community.
• Manage communication strategies ensuring timely and culturally relevant messaging.
• Monitor legislative and industry changes affecting associations across APAC.
• Represent APSAE at regional conferences, workshops, and partner engagements.

Qualifications

• 7 to 10 years of progressive leadership experience in association management or nonprofit sectors, preferably with direct exposure to the Asia-Pacific region.
• Proven track record in strategic planning, organizational growth, and financial management, ideally including startup or early-stage scaling roles.
• Experience supporting volunteer-governed organizations across diverse cultures.
• Strong knowledge of membership engagement and retention tailored to APAC markets.
• Competence in managing remote staff distributed over multiple time zones.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, communication, and public speaking abilities across different cultures and languages.
• Proficiency with productivity suites and association management software.
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in nonprofit management or related fields is preferred.
• Willingness to travel throughout the APAC region as necessary.
• Fluent in English, with additional APAC language skills (e.g., Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Bahasa, Thai, Vietnamese) highly desirable.

Community Engagement Statement

APSAE values diversity in culture, language, and professional background, fostering mutual respect and equity across the Asia-Pacific's varied societies. The organization is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all members wherever they reside within the region.

Important Note

Though APSAE's headquarters are located in Singapore, candidates from the broader Asia-Pacific region are welcome to apply.