Associate Vice President, Member Services

American College of Surgeons

$200K — $240K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
  • 8+ years in membership/customer operations, marketing, and budget oversight.
  • Proven leadership experience with direct management responsibility.
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, AMS, and business intelligence tools.
  • Demonstrated experience with operational dashboards and KPIs.
  • Experience in leading multiple projects to completion.
  • Willingness to travel moderately for key events.

Responsibilities

  • Lead strategic initiatives and troubleshoot escalated issues with the SVP.
  • Oversee Member Services customer experience and establish service strategies.
  • Supervise the Senior Manager of Credentials and daily operations of membership applications.
  • Establish strategic direction for improving the membership application process.
  • Develop and maintain oversight metrics across the application pathway.
  • Lead the membership marketing function, focusing on growth priorities.
  • Monitor recruitment and retention strategies using data-driven insights.
  • Ensure high-quality member experience during events, such as Clinical Congress.

Benefits

  • Vacation, personal, and sick hours with 13 paid holidays annually.
  • Tuition Reimbursement to support ongoing education.
  • Comprehensive medical coverage through BlueCross BlueShield.
  • Dental, Vision, and Prescription drug plans available.
  • 403(b) Matching Program for retirement savings.
  • Pension Plan to secure financial future.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical/dependent care expenses.
  • Access to Employee Assistance Program for personal support.
  • Short Term and Long Term Disability coverage available.
  • Life Insurance options for financial security.
  • Domestic Partner Coverage for additional inclusivity.
Full Job Description
Job Summary:

Under the leadership of the Senior Vice President of Member Services, the Associate Vice President (AVP) serves as a senior strategic and operational partner to the SVP, leading priority divisional and enterprise initiatives and serving as the operational leader for membership marketing, product and program development, member experience, and divisional budget oversight. In addition, the AVP leads and is accountable for the member services credential and application review process and overall customer service for members.

This exempt position will report to the Senior Vice President in the Division of Member Services. It is based in our Chicago office and is a hybrid role: 3 days per week in the office/2 days per week remote.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $200,000 - $240,000 (commensurate with related experience).

Key Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the integrated partner to the SVP by leading strategic initiatives and complex cross-function priorities. This includes the ability to successfully troubleshoot escalated issues, explore and scope new opportunities, and execute recurring and one-off projects from definition through execution, measurement, and post-implementation review.
  • Provide senior leadership and functional oversight for the Member Services customer experience function and establish service strategy, performance standards, and accountability across the College.
  • Supervise the Senior Manager of Credentials, who holds primary responsibility for the daily operation of the membership application process, including eligibility review, applicant communication, and adjudication support across all membership categories.
  • In collaboration with the SVP, establish the strategic direction and executive sponsorship for continuous improvement of the membership application pathway, ensuring effective processes, policy interpretation, service standards, controls, and measurable performance outcomes.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain oversight dashboards and metrics across the application pathway, including pipeline volume, conversion, aging, exception, and escalation reporting; set performance targets, surface bottlenecks, and report results to the SVP and enterprise leadership.
  • Lead the continued buildout of the membership marketing function. Provide strategic leadership for the development and maturation of the membership marketing function, establishing growth priorities, audience strategies, performance expectations, and effective partnership with Integrated Communications.
  • Develop and monitor recruitment and retention strategies across all membership categories; track key performance indicators and lead development and evaluation of products, programs, and services using data-driven insight.
  • Provides oversight of dues administration and employees responsible for maintenance of the membership data related to dues payment, drops, retirements, senior status, and overall membership health.
  • Oversee member experience initiatives, including Clinical Congress engagement and ACS Central, ensuring coordinated planning, on-site execution, and follow-through that strengthen member satisfaction.
  • Support and provide strategic direction for the evaluation and development of affinity programs and other member benefits, ensuring alignment with member needs, value proposition, financial considerations, and organizational strategy.
  • Provide leadership oversight and strategic guidance for employees supporting assigned membership committees, ensuring committee activities and priorities align with divisional and organizational objectives.
  • Supervise, coach, and develop division managers and professional employees; set priorities, allocate resources, define accountability standards, and ensure consistent high-touch customer service, complaint resolution, and service recovery.
  • In collaboration with the SVP, develop and manage the division's annual operating budget and business operations, including evaluation of vendor, system, and technology investments supporting the application pathway and marketing function.
  • Represent the division on cross-divisional initiatives and enterprise workgroups; contribute to leadership planning and enterprise-wide strategy discussions.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required. Advanced degree is preferred.
  • 8+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in membership or customer operations, process improvement, marketing, project management, and budget oversight, including direct supervision of managers and professional employees.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, AI and survey tools, association management systems (AMS), business intelligence and dashboard tools (for example, Power BI or Tableau), marketing automation and CRM platforms, and budgeting/reporting systems.
  • Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and maintaining operational dashboards and key performance indicators.
  • Demonstrated project management experience leading concurrent, recurring, and one-off initiatives to completion.
  • Moderate travel required, including Clinical Congress, Leadership & Advocacy Summit, CMSS, and typically one additional meeting annually.

Comprehensive Benefits:We're committed to attracting and retaining top talent via valuable benefits!

  • Vacation, personal, and sick hours including 13 paid holidays per year
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Medical-comprehensive coverage through BlueCross BlueShield
  • Dental, Vision, and Prescription drug program
  • 403(b) Matching Program
  • Pension Plan
  • Flexible Spending Medical/Dependent Care
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Short Term/Long Term Disability
  • Life Insurance
  • Domestic Partner Coverage

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