The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Careers

POSITION:
Executive Director

INSTITUTION:
In 1897, ten students, two faculty members, and the President of the University of Maine, desired to create an honor society that was different from others in existence at that time.  Their idea was to create an honor society that recognized and honored excellence in all academic disciplines.  From this group, Phi Kappa Phi was founded at the University of Maine and adopted the motto, “Let the love of learning rule humanity.”

From these beginnings, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi continues to pursue its mission: “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.”  Operating from headquarters in Baton Rouge, LA, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.  Phi Kappa Phi chapters exist on more than 300 campuses in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, and each year over 30,000 members are initiated.  Since the beginning, more than one million members have been initiated into the ranks of Phi Kappa Phi and today approximately 115,000 of those individuals are active dues-paying members.

The organization consists of two entities: The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, which is organized as a 501(c)3 corporation; and the Phi Kappa Phi Foundation.  Phi Kappa Phi is governed by a Board of Directors who are members of Phi Kappa Phi and serve in a volunteer capacity.  As Phi Kappa Phi has worked diligently to integrate more involvement from student members, in 2007 The Society established a Council of Students of which two members serve on the Phi Kappa Phi Board of Directors.  Further, each chapter has its own elected officers. 

From a financial perspective, the assets of The Society and Foundation are approximately $35 million and the financial condition is very stable.  Further The Society employs a very dedicated and capable staff to service the Chapters and members.

In keeping with the objective of Phi Kappa Phi to promote the pursuit of excellence in all fields of higher education, membership in The Society is open to scholars, students and faculty, with integrity and high ethical standards and from all academic disciplines.  Further, each year Phi Kappa Phi awards numerous Fellowships, Study Abroad Grants, Literacy Grants, and Love of Learning Awards.  Many of the Phi Kappa Phi chapters also participate in annually distributing scholarships and awards to members.

For more information concerning Phi Kappa Phi, please visit the website at www.phikappaphi.org.

REPORTS/RELATIONSHIPS:
The Executive Director of Phi Kappa Phi reports directly to the Board of Directors.  Reporting to the Executive Director will be:  the Associate Director/Chief Financial Officer, three Chapter Relations Directors, and the Director of Marketing & Member Benefits.  The total staff at the headquarters office is 19.

In addition to these reporting relationships, the Executive Director will be expected to develop and maintain relationships with the Chapter Officers and the Council of Students.  Further, the Executive Director will be expected to maintain a level of visibility with the members of Phi Kappa Phi.

BASIC FUNCTIONS:
The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Phi Kappa Phi and as such, is ultimately responsible for managing the The Society to carry out its mission in a fiscally responsible manner while overseeing the day-to-day operations of Phi Kappa Phi headquarters and field activities.

Additional specific responsibilities include, but may not necessarily be limited to:

• Focus on chapter relations to strengthen current chapters, reactivate/invigorate chapters that are inactive or on the verge of being inactive; look for opportunities to grow Phi Kappa Phi by starting new chapters; advocate for stronger institutional support for existing chapters.  Implicit in this responsibility is developing and maintaining relationships with current Chapter Officers.
• Serve as the ambassador and “face of” Phi Kappa Phi through various activities including involvement in professional, civic, and philanthropic associations; such activities should serve to preserve and promote the well being and stature of Phi Kappa Phi.
• Work with the Board in developing strategic direction for The Society; make recommendations and assist in formulating tactics based on this strategy; ultimately responsible for implementing Board directives.
• Look for fundraising opportunities in order to gain additional financial support through philanthropic activities; passionately promote the mission and values of The Society in order to garner the support of interested constituents.
• Provide leadership and management to the headquarters office in order to facilitate the effective functioning of the headquarters team.
• Manage the Phi Kappa Phi Foundation and its activities.
• Focus on marketing to increase the visibility, relevance, prestige, and recognition of Phi Kappa Phi throughout the academic community.
• Work closely with the Board to examine possibilities to expand service opportunities.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of and/or ability to learn the workings of an honor society, specifically Phi Kappa Phi, its values, and service components.
• Ability to function as part of a team supporting a defined strategic mission.
• Leadership ability; the ability to work effectively with a broad constituency including the Board of Directors, Chapter Officers, a large membership, and the academic community at large; provide effective leadership to a dedicated headquarters staff.
• Superior interpersonal skills; excellent communicator.
• Personal integrity.
• Passion, enthusiasm, and energy for the mission and values of Phi Kappa Phi.
• Fundraising experience.
• Earned Doctorate strongly preferred.
• Good business sense; ability to manage The Society in a fiscally prudent manner.

COMPENSATION:
Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a competitive base salary, benefits, and relocation assistance.

CONTACT:
For more information and/or to make a nomination, please contact Janet DeLoache or Ken Carrick at phikappaphi@colemanlew.com.