Assistant Director of Components

The Assistant Director of Components leads the strategic development, support, and growth of ACS's Local Sections in the US, International Chapters and Student Chapter network, serving as the primary organizational liaison between headquarters and components worldwide. This role combines elements of member success management, network development, business strategy, and community building, requiring both strategic vision and operational excellence to drive component engagement, expansion, and support. The ideal candidate will develop scalable support models, create tools and resources that enable local success, use data to drive decisions and measure impact, and support a high-performing volunteer network that delivers value to our members. This position reports to our VP of Membership and Strategic Engagement.
Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Planning (30%)
Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for the component network, treating component as key stakeholders in ACS's value delivery model
Identify and prioritize growth opportunities in underserved geographic markets, particularly internationally
Establish KPIs, performance dashboards, and analytics to assess component health, engagement, and ROI
Drive innovation in component programming using pilot-test-scale methodologies common in business settings
Provide strategic guidance to governance bodies, translating business insights into actionable recommendations
Component Support & Scalable Solutions (20%)
Design scalable support infrastructure including self-service resources, toolkits, training programs, and technology platforms
Function as a strategic consultant to component leaders, advising on growth strategies, operational efficiency, and sustainability
Develop tiered service models that optimize resource allocation based on component size, maturity, and potential
Create data-driven playbooks and best practices that components can adapt to their local contexts
Partner with cross-functional teams (legal, finance, technology) to ensure components have the infrastructure needed to succeed
Leadership and People Management (20%)
Lead and develop components support team, building high-performance culture
Provide clear direction, priorities, and expectations to ensure alignment with organizational goals
Coach, mentor, and support team members through regular check‑ins, performance reviews, and development planning
Foster an inclusive, collaborative team environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Model strong leadership behaviors, set standards for professionalism, communication, and service excellence
Support management efforts by guiding the team through new processes, systems, or organizational initiatives
Volunteer Engagement (20%)
Design and deliver leadership development programs that build capabilities and prepare volunteers for increasing responsibility
Implement succession planning frameworks to ensure leadership continuity and institutional knowledge transfer
Create recognition structures that motivate volunteer performance and celebrate achievements
Identify high-potential leaders and create pathways for advancement within the broader ACS ecosystem
Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration (10%)
Serve as the voice of components, advocating for their needs in strategic decisions
Partner with marketing and communications to build components brand awareness and share success stories
Collaborate across business units to create synergies, reduce duplication, and maximize collective impact
Establish regular communication rhythms (town halls, newsletters, digital forums) that keep components informed and engaged
Required Qualifications: Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
Minimum of 8 years and 4 years of progressive management experience in one or more of the following:
Customer success, account management, or client services leadership
Partner/channel/franchise network development and management
Business development or sales operations in multi-location environments
Community management or user engagement at scale
Strategic consulting or program management
Membership organizations or nonprofit management
Demonstrated success building and scaling geographically distributed networks or teams
Proven track record driving measurable business results and achieving strategic objectives
Approximately 20-30% domestically and internationally
Core Competencies
Strategic thinking
: Ability to develop data-informed strategies that balance global consistency with local flexibility
People Management and Leadership skills
: Ability to build high performing teams and guide staff through change and transformation
Business acumen
: Understanding of growth drivers, financial sustainability, and performance optimization
Relationship management
: Exceptional ability to build trust and influence stakeholders without direct authority
Analytical skills
: Comfort using data, metrics, and analytics tools to inform decisions and measure impact
Change management
: Experience driving transformation initiatives and gaining buy-in from diverse stakeholders
Scalability mindset
: Ability to design solutions that work for 10 components and 200 components
Communication excellence
: Outstanding written and verbal skills for executive, operational, and volunteer audiences
Technical Skills
Proficiency with CRM/database platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar)
Experience with data visualization and analytics tools (Tableau, Power BI, Excel)
Comfort with project management software and collaboration platforms
Ability to leverage technology for automation, efficiency, and enhanced user experience
Budget management and financial analysis capabilities
Preferred Background
Experience in professional services, SaaS, franchise systems, or multi-site operations
Experience with not for profits desired but not essential
Track record building partner enablement programs or customer success playbooks
International business experience or managing global networks
STEM background or experience serving technical/scientific communities desired
Experience with community platforms, online engagement tools, or member portals
Compensation & Benefits
This position is based in our Washington, D.C. office and a reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between
$140,000-$150,000
per year.
ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.
Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.
Application Process: We want to hear from you if:
You've built and scaled distributed networks, partner ecosystems, or customer communities
You use data to drive decisions and have a track record of measurable results
You're energized by the idea of applying business strategies to mission-driven work
You can translate corporate methodologies to a volunteer-led environment
You're ready to make a career move that offers both professional challenge and meaningful impact
To apply, please submit:
Resume highlighting quantifiable achievements and business results
Cover letter addressing:
Why you're interested in transitioning to/working in the nonprofit sector
How your corporate/business experience translates to this role
Your vision for modernizing and scaling a components network