Description

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) is a global, nonprofit professional organization dedicated to advancing environmental science, environmental management, and environmental decision-making through science-based research, education, and collaboration. SETAC brings together scientists, regulators, industry professionals, consultants, and students from around the world through its Global organization and Geographic Units (GUs).

A vacancy will become available at the end of 2026 and SETAC is seeking an accomplished, strategic, and mission-driven Global Executive Director (GED) to serve as the organization’s chief executive officer. Reporting to the SETAC Board of Directors (the Board), the GED provides visionary leadership across the SETAC Global organization while fostering strong alignment, collaboration, and coherence with SETAC’s Geographic Units. The GED is responsible for advancing SETAC’s global mission, strategic priorities, operational excellence, and scientific impact.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Provide strategic leadership to advance SETAC’s mission, vision, and Board-approved strategic plan, with particular emphasis on scientific excellence, global relevance, and science-based environmental decision-making.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Board, supporting effective governance, long-term planning, and policy development.
• Implement Board policies and ensure organizational compliance with legal, ethical, and fiduciary responsibilities across the Global organization.
• Strengthen alignment and collaboration between SETAC Global and its Geographic Units, respecting regional autonomy while promoting consistency, shared values, and mutual support.
• Support volunteer leadership at the Global and Geographic Unit levels, enabling effective engagement, transparency, and decision-making.

Organizational and Operational Management

• Lead and manage SETAC’s global operations, including staff, programs, systems, and infrastructure, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and high-quality service to members and volunteers worldwide.
• Oversee the Global Office and ensure effective coordination with Geographic Unit offices, contractors, and partners, as applicable.
• Build, mentor, and retain a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive staff team that supports SETAC’s global and regional activities.
• Promote an organizational culture that reflects SETAC’s core values, including scientific integrity, collaboration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect.

Financial Stewardship

• Ensure SETAC’s long-term financial sustainability through strategic financial planning, budgeting, and oversight across the Global organization.
• Work closely with the Board, Finance Committee, and Geographic Units to promote sound financial practices and transparency.
• Oversee financial reporting, audits, risk management, and internal controls.
• Support diversification of revenue streams, including membership, meetings, publications, sponsorships, grants, and partnerships, consistent with SETAC’s mission and values.

External Relations and Global Representation

• Serve as SETAC’s principal global spokesperson and ambassador, representing the Society to members, partners, sponsors, policymakers, and the broader scientific and environmental community.
• Strengthen SETAC’s global visibility, credibility, and influence in advancing science-based environmental policy and management.
• Foster strategic partnerships with academic institutions, industry, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations that align with SETAC’s strategic priorities.
• Support Geographic Units in their external engagement while ensuring alignment with SETAC’s global brand, values, and messaging.

Membership, and Scientific Impact

• Ensure the delivery of high-quality programs that advance SETAC’s strategic priorities and scientific leadership.
• Support innovation and continuous improvement in scientific programming and knowledge exchange across Global and Geographic Units.
• Strengthen member engagement, value, and growth across regions, disciplines, and career stages.
• Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and global accessibility in SETAC’s programs, leadership pathways, and governance structures.

Programs 

• Oversee the Global Member Programs, including events (SETAC World Congress and Focus Topic Meetings), webinars, workshops (Pellston workshops and Technical Workshops), Journals (ET&C and IEAM), Communications (Website, SETAC Globe, SETAC News, SETAC Science Corner, SETAC Library), and other publications (Technical Issue Papers, Science Briefs), global Awards, Interest  and affinity Groups.
• Oversee the Global Supporting Programs including technology (association management system, meeting management system, online meeting system, document sharing system, etc).
• Oversee the Global Development Programs including the Global Partner Program, GU Development program
• Oversee collaborative programs promoting the transfer of science to regulation including collaborations with UNEP, WHO, OECD, IBERA, etc.

Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in environmental science, toxicology, chemistry, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, professional society, academic, scientific, or related organization.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and managing complex, global operations.Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, financial oversight, and revenue development.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with or leading a global scientific or professional membership organization.
• Familiarity with environmental toxicology, chemistry, or related scientific disciplines.
• Experience working with boards of directors and volunteer-led governance structures.
• Proven ability to work effectively across cultures and geographic regions.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary, collaborative, and results-oriented leadership style.
• Strong commitment to scientific integrity and evidence-based decision-making.
• Ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders.
• High ethical standards, sound judgment, and diplomatic skills.

Appointment and Terms

• Fractional appointments can be considered.
• Location is flexible, with the expectation of regular international travel.
• Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. 

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application including CV and cover letter to hr@setac.org to the attention of Amanda Reichelt-Brushett, SETAC Immediate-past president and chair of the GED Search Committee by 12 June 2026.