Job Description

About the American Society for Surgery of the Hand

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) is a prestigious, professional medical society with a membership of more than 5,500 surgeons and healthcare professionals. The mission of ASSH is to advance the science and practice of hand and upper extremity surgery through education, research, and advocacy on behalf of patients and practitioners. ASSH provides educational opportunities for surgeons in the form of webinars, online resources, courses/meetings, textbooks, practice examinations, medical journals, and communities. ASSH also fosters basic science, clinical, and outcomes research grants, and provides hand surgery to underserved communities around the world.

Job Summary

The Director of Meetings and Education provides strategic oversight and executional leadership for all aspects of ASSH events and educational programming. This role leads the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of both in-person and virtual learning experiences aligned with the Society’s mission. The portfolio includes everything from small, intimate committee meetings to the flagship 3,500+ attendee Annual Meeting, as well as oversight of the Society’s education programs, ACCME compliance, and learning systems. The Director supervises a team of five and reports to the Chief Executive Officer. This position requires a proactive leader who can independently drive strategy, navigate organizational dynamics, and raise issues to the CEO for strategic input when appropriate.

The Director of Meetings & Education is responsible for all aspects of event development, planning, execution and follow-up, including managing budgets and leading/coordinating internal and external teams. The Director plays a key leadership role in ensuring ASSH events are financially viable and support the Society’s mission and values. As such, the Director must be a skilled project manager, highly organized, efficient, and able to communicate effectively with event partners, ASSH staff and the leadership team. This role collaborates with ASSH staff across varying departments and must be able to clearly communicate event objectives, implementation strategy and key performance indicators. This position will lead the meetings department, currently 5 employees, and will report to the Chief Executive Officer. 

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership for the Society’s event and education strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and member needs.
• Serve as the lead staff expert on education and meeting trends, recommending innovations to maintain ASSH’s position as a leader in surgical education.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across the Meetings and Education teams.
• Develop and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure educational outcomes and event success.
• Cultivate relationships with surgeon leaders and navigate complex governance dynamics with tact and strategic foresight.

Education Oversight

• Provide strategic direction for ASSH’s education portfolio, including live events, online learning, webinars, simulation, and enduring content.
• Maintain the Society’s ACCME accreditation, including renewal, compliance, and reporting.
• Oversee development and implementation of educational program content, working closely with volunteer committees and subject matter experts.
• Lead strategy for the Society’s learning management system (LMS) and integration with other platforms.
• Maintain and communicate a comprehensive education calendar.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to develop audience-focused promotional strategies for educational offerings.

Meetings & Logistics Management

• Serve as lead planner for all Society events, including site selection, contract negotiation, and execution of domestic, international, and virtual meetings.
• Manage vendors (AV, catering, hotels, general contractors, LMS providers, tissue banks, etc.) and internal logistics from planning through post-event evaluation.
• Provide on-site leadership during events and develop contingency plans.
• Ensure accurate meeting setup in association management system (AMS) and oversee data integrity and reporting.
• Lead and innovate sustainability efforts, including “green” initiatives for major events.

Corporate & Industry Relations

• Provide strategic oversight of corporate partnerships, including sponsorships, advertising, and exhibit sales.
• Cultivate and maintain long-term industry relationships to support and expand engagement.
• Collaborate with CEO and development partners to identify and vet strategic funding opportunities for educational and meeting initiatives.

Governance & Committee Engagement

• Serve as staff liaison to multiple governance bodies committees, demonstrating strategic facilitation and diplomatic problem-solving, including:
• Education Division
• COI Peer Review Committee
• Courses & Webinars Committee
• Annual Meeting Program Committee and related sub-committees
• Corporate Advisory Council and related sub-committee
• Prepare and present regular verbal and written reports to leadership and committees.

Administrative Leadership

• Lead departmental budgeting, revenue forecasting, and financial reconciliation.
• Provide executive direction to the Meetings and Education staff, including goal setting, performance management, and professional development.
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to cross-functional initiatives and strategic planning and collaborating effectively with peers in a team-oriented management environment.
• Attend and participate in professional networks such as the MSFRN to represent the Society and share insights.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisor Responsibilities :

• This position will lead the meetings department, which currently includes 5 employees.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or formal training in education, healthcare, or association management strongly preferred.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation required; Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential highly desirable.
• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in meetings, education, or program management, preferably within a nonprofit, medical society, or association environment.
• Deep understanding of ACCME standards, continuing medical education (CME) compliance, and adult learning principles.
• Experience planning and executing cadaver labs and working with tissue banks in medical education.
• Proven success in collaborating with volunteers, committees, and clinical subject matter experts to develop impactful educational programs.
• Demonstrated excellence in project management, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with strong attention to detail.
• Effective at building and maintaining professional relationships with internal teams, external partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Highly organized, proactive, and adaptable, with a strong sense of ownership and commitment to quality.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed for events, site visits, and industry engagement (approx. 20-25%)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Oasis LMS, and web content management systems.
• Experience using data to evaluate program outcomes and inform strategic decisions.
• Familiarity with hybrid/virtual learning and emerging education technologies.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across education, tech, and marketing teams.
• Awareness of trends in continuing education and association meetings.

Location & Work Environment

• Chicago, IL as part of a hybrid work environment with 2 days in the office per week

Travel Requirements

• Travel required for events, site visits, and industry engagement (approx. 20-25%)

Starting Salary

• $150,000 annually

Benefits

• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision employee coverage
• 100% employer paid disability and life insurance policies
• Hybrid work flexibility
• 41-46 days of annual paid time off based on tenure, including holidays, vacation, sick, and personal leave
• Paid parental leave for new parents
• 401(k) retirement plan with an annual employer contribution of 10%
• $150 monthly home office/technology expense reimbursement

How to apply

Interested applicants may submit their cover letter and resume to nonprofithr@assh.org. No phone calls please.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

ASSH provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Work Authorization

We are unable to offer sponsorship for employment authorization to work in the United States. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

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