SOA Elections

2021 President-Elect Job Description

Position Summary

Responsible, in partnership with other presidential officers and the Executive Director, for leading the organization and representing the actuarial profession through implementation of the SOA strategic plan, assuring that the Board agenda addresses appropriate priorities and that the Board performs its fiduciary, strategic and policy responsibilities.

It is expected that the President-Elect will join the Leadership Team for three years and will devote time to learning and preparing prior to becoming President.

Presidential Officers

Internal Relationships

Key internal relationship is with the Executive Director; all other staff report to the Executive Director according to the staff organization chart. Lead Board members, communicate direction and decisions to SOA members. 

External Relationships

Advocate for the SOA and the actuarial profession to all constituents and the public.  Foster cooperation among all actuarial organizations.

Responsibilities

Same responsibility as those of Elected Board Members (See 2021 EBM Job Description)

• Prepare & Participate
• Set Direction
• Ensure Resources
• Provide Oversight
• Personal Management
• Adhere to SOA Policy on Responsibilities and Conduct of the Board of Directors

Additional Responsibilities

• Fulfill Leadership Team responsibilities which include regularly scheduled conference calls and attention to time sensitive materials
• Set the Board meeting agendas
• Effectively chair Board meetings as President which includes preparation time for conference calls and/or meetings. President-Elect can step into the chair role, if necessary, upon any President’s absence
• Lead the Board by modeling appropriate behavior and guiding others

SOA Meeting Requirements

• Leadership Team calls normally scheduled or as needed
• Three SOA Board meetings per year or as needed (meetings are 1½ days in length plus approximately ½ day to read meeting material):
  • March
  • June (held in conjunction with the SOA Health Meeting)
  • October (held in conjunction with the SOA Annual Meeting)
• Conference calls between board meetings that are 90 minutes long
• Council of Section Chairperson meeting twice a year in April and November
• Presidential Transition Meeting: late September or Early October
• Incoming Board Member Orientation Meeting: October late afternoon on Friday and ½ day Saturday morning prior to the SOA Board Meeting
• Leadership Orientation Meeting: November in Chicago

Officer Commitments

• All commitments are spread out between the Presidential officers and Board Members. President core commitments are 40.5 days. Check out the Board Commitments Chart

Financial Support

• See the Board Policy 330, Reimbursement policy

Qualifications

• Fellow of the SOA
• CPD compliant
• Demonstrated commitment to the SOA via leadership participation on the Board, Sections, or committees
• Exhibits appropriate professional behavior as a representative of the SOA

Preference

• Active member of the SOA
• Preference for prior SOA Board or other actuarial organization board experience

Recommended Skill Sets

People Management

• Leadership skills, including ability to respect the historical perspective, credibly assess the current environment, and facilitate the setting of inspirational future direction that engages and motivates positive changes in the organization
• Performance management skills, including goal setting, feedback, evaluating and rewarding; an ability to get things done through others, hold people accountable, and focus the organization on projects that support the strategic plan
• Team building skills – ability to identify and ensure teams are organized with the correct balance of talent Training and development skills – ability to identify and correct skill gaps
• Building a culture that fosters creativity, open dialogue, and thoughtful risk taking
• Dealing with and confronting non-productive situations
• Ability to work with volunteers

Business Management

• Effectiveness in chairing executive-level Board meetings
• Facilitate discussions
• Setting tone and culture for everyone to participate
• Change management, including ability to recognize paradigm shifts and adapt quickly
• Experience leading non-profit organizations
• Decision-making skills
• Strategic planning / thinking skills
• Marketing skills

Personal Skills

• Value differing perspectives and being open to considering those in decision-making
• Broad contact throughout the actuarial profession and other organizations
• Networking skills, / organizational savvy – ability to build, and leverage a network of relationships throughout the actuarial profession and in other organizations
• Executive presence (i.e., confidence, poise under pressure)
• Respectful of others
• Time management
• Organizational skills (being organized)

Communication Skills

• Presentation / oral skills
• Listening skills
• Writing skills

Interpersonal Skills

• Influence/persuasion skills
• Negotiation skills
• Conflict resolution skills, including facilitating diplomatic solutions
• Work with others and respect different opinions
• Consensus building