"Program Lead - Thriving Departments"

Who we are

The American Physical Society (APS) is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals, scientific meetings, and education, outreach, advocacy, and international activities. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and throughout the world.

Position Summary

The program lead develops and delivers initiatives that strengthen physics education and build department-level capacity across the physics community. The role works closely with the director and head of education to design and implement programs, resources, and systems-based tools that support inclusive learning environments. This position also manages grant-funded projects, builds partnerships, and leads cross-functional efforts that align with APS’ education strategy. Through leadership in areas such as committee engagement, resource development, and professional learning, the program lead supports educators, departments, and broader communities in physics education. The role also serves as liaison to the APS Committee on Education. APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access within the United States, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. APS values diversity and welcomes candidates from a variety of backgrounds. APS offers a dynamic work environment with an outstanding total compensation package, including salary, outstanding benefits, and excellent paid time off.

Responsibilities

• Maintains accountability on project teams they lead to ensure deadlines and deliverables are met. Makes recommendations to the head about matters affecting major program outcomes and APS’ reputation.
• Provides strategic oversight of eligibility and disbursement processes for resources that support program participants, ensuring equitable access and alignment with policy and funding guidelines.
• Designs and implements new and existing initiatives aligned with the department’s strategic plan, in collaboration with the head and director.
• Serves as staff liaison for the APS Committee on Education.
• Writes and edits articles, brochures, project reports, proposals, and web materials.
• Develops and approves statements of work, estimates staff time, and prepares budgets for complex projects.
• Designs and modifies budgets based on feedback and evaluation, and manages messaging to funders or other external partners regarding resources.
• Recommends and implements major project improvements, in collaboration with the head, based on evaluation.
• Creates evaluation criteria, in collaboration with the head.
• Leads proposal writing teams and sponsorship discussions for specific projects.
• Ensures reporting and contract requirements for project-specific grants are met.
• Serves as principal investigator on Thriving Physics Departments grants, with support and mentoring from the head and director.
• Provides or seeks guidance on approval of invoices for complex projects, as needed.
• Plans, prepares, and facilitates complex meetings and convenings.
• Participates in the hiring process, sets expectations, assesses performance, provides feedback, manages disciplinary actions for direct reports, and raises performance concerns for project team members.
• Participates in and may lead cross-departmental teams to advance project goals.

Education

Advanced degree, preferably relevant to the physical or life science program area. Equivalent work experience also will be considered in lieu of advanced.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience. Minimum of 5 years of program management experience, with a strong background in higher education and academic community engagement. Advanced knowledge of systems of physics education, including effective practices and peer-reviewed literature. Expertise in the needs and culture of academic environments and physics communities in the United States and internationally. Knowledge of the science, technology, mathematics, and publishing landscape, including peer review and online education and knowledge-sharing platforms. Proficiency in physics education research. Experience supervising and managing staff. Experience designing systems and processes to effectively manage, train, and retain volunteers. Proven experience in proposal writing, grants, and project management. Advanced skills in program design, implementation, scaling, and evaluation. Proficiency in change management principles and techniques. Excellent interpersonal communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills, with the ability to influence and lead change.

Travel

This position may require up to 20% travel to attend events and meetings, including travel to APS offices in Long Island, NY; Washington DC; and College Park, MD, as well as other off-site locations for periodic meetings and training sessions. Additional travel may be required as assigned by the supervisor.

Salary

The salary range for this position takes into account various factors influencing compensation decisions, such as skill sets, experience, training, and other business and organizational requirements. The salary listed within the specified ranges considers relevant experience. Our compensation philosophy at APS aims to maintain salaries at the midpoint of the market. As a result, we typically hire within the target starting range. Exceptional, rare cases may merit reviews above target starting range for specialized or niche skills aligned with strategic operational goals. Hiring Range: $98,775/year - $134,581/year (USD). Target Starting Range: $98,775/year - $109,887/year (USD).