Search
Member Login

Executive Director Job Advertisement

Western Political Science Association
June 2026

The Western Political Science Association (WPSA) seeks candidates for the position of Executive Director. The WPSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, which promotes the study and teaching of government and politics, fosters research, and facilitates the discussion of public affairs. It holds an annual conference attended by more than 1200 participants and publishes two scholarly journals. The Executive Director is the Association's principal staff officer and a non-voting member of the WPSA's governing council. The position is considered to be half-time. The initial term of appointment will be for three years, with a starting date at the beginning of the fall term in 2027. To ensure a smooth transition, the successful candidate will be hired in a part-time position as Executive Director in Training beginning October 1, 2026.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WPSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Executive Director reports directly to the Executive Council, and works closely with the Association's president and other officers in providing leadership for the WPSA. The Executive Director's responsibilities include: 

  • Governance. The Executive Director functions as the chief of staff of the Executive Council, preparing the Council’s agendas, providing support materials for Council and membership meetings, implementing decisions made by the Council and the membership, and overseeing the election process for officers and council members. The Executive Director maintains and updates Bylaws and Association policies, drafts amendments, responds to questions, and provides interpretations regarding governance and policy. The Council primarily meets in person twice a year, at the Association's annual conference and the annual APSA meeting. 
  • Administrative Duties. The Executive Director supervises Association staff, vendors, and consultants; provides support to the Association President, Vice President and Program Chair, and other officers; maintains Association records; oversees Association's communications, including mailings, announcements, and the Association's presence on the web; consults with legal counsel when needed; and responds to questions and concerns regarding the Association's activities, practices, and policies. The Executive Director provides support for WPSA officers in making appointments and fulfilling other duties. The Executive Director serves as a liaison with, and provides assistance to, Association committees, journal and newsletter editors, and other groups tied to the Association. The Executive Director also serves as a liaison with other associations. 
  • Finance and Budgeting.  The Executive Director serves as the Association's chief financial officer. In this position, the Executive Director is responsible for preparing the annual budget, collecting revenue, depositing funds, paying Association expenses, maintaining financial accounts and insurance, preparing annual tax statements, monitoring investments, and handling other activities that are related to the financial well-being of the Association. The Executive Director works with the private firm that handles the Association's bookkeeping and taxes, with the Association's Conference Manager, who helps collect conference registration fees, and with the Association's Treasurer, who provides oversight of the Association's fiscal affairs. 
  • Conference Planning. The Executive Director oversees all aspects of the Annual Meeting, including site selection, contract negotiation, local arrangements, correspondence, meeting preparation and planning, the organization of special events, addressing problems that arise, obtaining necessary insurance, and all financial matters. The Executive Director is assisted by a national consulting firm in making hotel selection and contract negotiation. 

QUALIFICATIONS

It is expected that the successful candidate will be an active or recently active faculty member of political science or a related discipline at a college or university, preferably in the western region, and has experience in non-profit management, academic administration, or a comparable situation. The person selected needs to demonstrate the capacity to think creatively and strategically, to be able to work well with others in a collaborative manner in an environment in which much of the work is done by volunteers, and to be supportive of the association's inclusive philosophy. Some travel is required. 

TO APPLY

Applications and nominations should be sent to the chair of the search committee, Julie Novkov, at [email protected]. Candidate screening will begin July 16, 2026. Applications received prior to this date will receive preferred attention. 

Compensation will primarily be in the form of partial release time paid for by the WPSA.  Alternative arrangements and different kinds of candidates may be possible, however, and the final terms of appointment, including compensation, will be subject to negotiation.  The initial appointment is for a three-year term and is renewable at the discretion of the Executive Council.