The American Society of International Law (“ASIL” or “the Society”) seeks an accomplished leader with vision, proficiency in international law, and proven management abilities to serve as its next Executive Director, starting in the second half of 2014.
The Society, a not-for-profit, membership organization, was founded in 1906 by Secretary of State Elihu Root. The objective of the Society is "to foster the study of international law and to promote the establishment and maintenance of international relations on the basis of law and justice." True to Root's vision, ASIL is the premier learned society in the United States devoted to advancing the study and use of international law, and a key forum for international lawyers worldwide. Its approximately 4000 members, 40 percent of whom reside in 100 countries other than the United States, include lawyers, professors, jurists, students, and officials of governments, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
The Society's primary activities include convening an Annual Meeting that attracts more than 1300 participants; organizing and sponsoring other meetings, conferences and symposia; publishing the world renowned American Journal of International Law and International Legal Materials; serving as the umbrella for 33 ASIL member interest groups; maintaining an extensive website containing international law resources that attracts almost a half million visits per year; and creating other educational and information resources, including career development resources and opportunities for the next generation of international lawyers. To promote broader awareness and understanding of the field and to inform contemporary international legal policy-making, the Society taps the expertise of its members to pursue significant research, policy discussion, and outreach initiatives with the U.S. Congress, the judiciary, the diplomatic community, international organizations, the media, and the general public.
The Society has entered its second century at an exciting and challenging time. International law is frequently in the headlines and a force in civil society. The creation, interpretation, and enforcement of international law are increasingly important, and the complex connection of that law to national law is robustly studied and debated. In the years to come, the Society is well-positioned to advance its core mission, and, as such, the role of Executive Director will continue to be a critical one.
The Executive Director works closely with an active Executive Council and President (the latter is elected every two years). The successful candidate for the Executive Director post will be proficient in international law, and demonstrate strong administrative ability and experience, effective fundraising capacity, and an ability to relate to and represent the diverse and multinational membership of academics, private practitioners, jurists, government officials, and students in their various endeavors relating to all facets of international law. In addition to coordinating with Society leaders, the Executive Director manages an annual budget in excess of $3 million; supervises a staff of 17 (14 of whom are full-time employees) in planning and executing day-to-day operations; facilitates the dissemination of scholarly and informational output in print, electronic, and conference settings; raises funds for the Society by seeking grants and other contributions from foundations, corporations, law firms, individuals, and other sources; implements outreach programs to a variety of external constituencies including the U.S. Congress, the judiciary, the media, law-making bodies, think tanks, international organizations, academia and others; and administers programs outside as well as within the United States.
The Executive Council appoints the Executive Director to an initial term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment to a second term of up to five years, and a competitive reappointment to a final term up to a combined 12-year term limit prescribed by the Society’s governing documents. The position is full-time and requires residence in the Washington, D.C. area and authorization to work in the United States. Compensation will be competitive for organizations of this type and comparable to management-level public sector positions, with the specific salary to be commensurate with the candidate’s experience, plus benefits. The Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any classification protected by U.S. law.
Applications should include a resume and a succinct letter detailing interest in the position, relevant experience, current salary, and availability to start. Candidates should be prepared to articulate a vision of what they would seek to accomplish as Executive Director of the Society and how they would propose to achieve their goals. Please send applications to the following email address: EDSearch@asil.org, Attention: Lucinda A. Low, Chair of the ASIL Executive Director Search Committee. Review of applications will begin in May and continue in June. To receive appropriate consideration, applications should be received by June 15, 2014. All applications will be acknowledged, but only finalists will be contacted further. The identity of applicants will be held on a strictly confidential basis. No phone calls please.
