Psychonomic Society Is Hiring an Executive Director to Lead Global Cognitive Science Community:Apply before 9 Sept 2026

The Psychonomic Society is seeking an experienced and dynamic Executive Director to lead the organisation through its next phase of growth and development. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a professional with strong experience in nonprofit management, strategic planning, financial oversight, membership engagement and partnership development.

With more than 4,000 researchers, eight influential scientific journals and a highly regarded annual meeting, the Psychonomic Society plays an important role in advancing research and communication in cognitive psychology and allied sciences.

Executive Director Opportunity at the Psychonomic Society

The Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership while working closely with the Society’s Board of Directors, committees, management team and wider membership.

The successful candidate will be responsible for helping the Society build on its 66-year history, strengthen its programmes and increase its influence across the scientific community.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Working with the Governing Board to implement the Society’s strategic vision.
• Supporting strategic and operational decision-making.
• Managing relationships with external partners, academic institutions, nonprofits and scientific organisations.
• Providing oversight of day-to-day operations and financial administration.
• Monitoring budgets and supporting responsible financial stewardship.
• Developing strategies to strengthen membership engagement and retention.
• Identifying opportunities for membership and financial growth.
• Representing the Society to members, partners, media and other stakeholders.
• Supporting volunteers and committees in achieving organisational objectives.

This leadership role will require someone who can combine strategic thinking with strong relationship-building and practical management skills.

What the Psychonomic Society Is Looking For

Candidates should demonstrate experience working effectively with boards and committees, as well as the ability to build productive relationships with external stakeholders.

The Society is particularly interested in professionals with:

• Proven operational and financial oversight experience.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Demonstrated success in membership engagement, retention and growth.
• Experience in nonprofit management.
• Strategic planning and implementation experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to adapt complex information for different audiences.
• Strong initiative and follow-through.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• A professional presence suitable for representing a scientific organisation.

A Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation or comparable experience in association or nonprofit leadership would be advantageous.

Experience in Science and Psychology Is an Advantage

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of scientific organisations and the nonprofit sector. Familiarity with the structure and operations of scientific membership organisations would be particularly valuable.

Previous experience in psychological sciences or related disciplines is also desirable.

The Executive Director should be comfortable engaging with technical and scientific subject matter and working with researchers, academics, industry partners and other stakeholders.

Experience leveraging industry partnerships for conference engagement would also strengthen an application.

A Strategic Leadership Role

One of the major priorities for the new Executive Director will be helping the Psychonomic Society translate its strategic vision into action.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Board to identify priorities, allocate resources effectively and respond to opportunities and challenges facing the scientific community.

The role also provides an opportunity to strengthen the Society’s membership model. With more than 4,000 researchers, the Executive Director will help ensure members continue to see value in the Society’s programmes, publications, conferences and professional community.

This will involve understanding changing expectations within the scientific sector and developing initiatives that support long-term member engagement.

Financial and Operational Leadership

Strong financial stewardship will be another important component of the position.

The Executive Director will oversee financial administration and ensure that resources are managed responsibly and transparently in line with approved budgets, policies and strategic priorities.

Candidates should therefore be comfortable monitoring organisational finances, identifying critical needs and communicating financial information to the Board.

This combination of strategic leadership, financial management and organisational development makes the position particularly suited to an experienced nonprofit or association executive.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Psychonomic Society is committed to building an inclusive environment where people from diverse backgrounds can contribute and succeed.

The organisation encourages applications from candidates with different identities, experiences and professional backgrounds.

The Executive Director will therefore be expected to incorporate and prioritise diversity, equity and inclusion as part of the Society’s leadership and organisational development.

How to Apply

Applications and nominations will begin being reviewed on 10 September 2026.

Applicants should submit a single file containing a letter of interest and qualifications together with a resume or CV.

Professionals interested in the opportunity can also contact Marianne Lloyd, Psychonomic Society Secretary, for questions or to nominate a candidate.

For additional information and application details, visit the Psychonomic Society official website.

Who Should Consider This Opportunity?

This position could be particularly relevant to experienced professionals working in:

• Nonprofit and association management
• Scientific and academic organisations
• Psychology and behavioural sciences
• Membership organisations
• Executive leadership
• Strategic planning
• Financial and operational management
• Research and scientific communications
• Professional associations

The Executive Director will have an opportunity to influence the future direction of an established scientific organisation while supporting researchers and advancing communication in cognitive psychology.

For senior nonprofit and scientific-sector leaders looking for an opportunity to combine strategy, organisational leadership, financial stewardship and scientific engagement, the Psychonomic Society Executive Director position represents a significant career opportunity.

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