Who will lead the SOA? You decide.

President-Elect and Vice-Chair Description and Criteria

Learn more about the role of the SOA Board of Directors.

Job Description

Presidential Officers

Internal Relationships

• The President-Elect and Vice Chair’s key internal relationship is with the Chief Executive Officer. 
• All other staff report to the Chief Executive Officer according to the staff organizational chart. 
• Lead Board members and 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 responsibilities as those of Elected Board Members, in addition to those listed below (See Board Member Description and Criteria for further information)

• Adhere to SOA Policy on Responsibilities and Conduct of the Board of Directors.
• Fulfill Executive Committee responsibilities which include regularly scheduled conference calls (every two weeks for an hour) and attention to time sensitive materials. 
• Set the Board meeting agendas. 
• Effectively chair Board meetings as President which includes preparation time for in-person or virtual 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

• Participate in Executive Committee calls normally scheduled or as needed plus time to prep and read meeting material. 
• Attend three SOA Board meetings per year or as needed (meetings are 1½ days in length plus approximately at least ½ day to read meeting material): 
  • March
  • June (held in conjunction with the SOA Health Meeting)
  • October (held in conjunction with the SOA ImpACT Meeting)
• Participate in virtual meetings between Board meetings that are 60-120 minutes long.  
• Attend Council of Section Chairperson meeting twice a year, in April and November. 
• Attend Presidential Transition Meeting in late September or early October. 
• Attend Incoming Board Member Orientation Meeting:  October late afternoon on Friday and ½ day Saturday morning prior to the SOA Board Meeting. 
• Attend Leadership Summit. 

Officer Commitments

All commitments are spread out between the Presidential officers and Board Members. The President and Chair’s core commitments are approximately a minimum of 40 days for in person/travel commitments in addition to virtual opportunities, all accounting for about 40% of his/her time  but can be more dependent on desired level of involvement.  See the Board Commitments information for further details.

Financial Support

See the Board Policy 330, Reimbursement policy

Qualifications

• Fellow of the SOA 
• CPD compliant 
• Demonstrates commitment to the SOA via leadership participation on the Board, Sections, or committees  
• Exhibits appropriate professional behavior as a representative of the SOA 
• Preference for prior SOA Board or other actuarial organization board experience 

Criteria

Leadership

• Shows a commitment to the goals and strategies of the SOA so that others are inspired to follow.   
• Maintains focus on the targets and sets an example by doing.   
• Demonstrates collaboration in all aspects of work related to achieving the goals of the SOA.   
• Works collegially with other officers, board members, committee chairs, the Chief Executive Officer and staff to maximize the diversity of views, resulting in smoother more effective decision making.   
• Demonstrates the ability to provide access to people, information, and resources to solve an organization’s problems and to create opportunities.   
• Comprehension of financial policies, budgeting, and financial controls, including the ability to oversee an annual budget and operating plan. 

Strategic Execution

• Focuses on facilitating the direction of the profession and SOA as a business.   
• Works with the SOA to continually support, maintain, and execute the SOA Strategic Plan.   
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated ability to champion new and innovative ideas and programs.  

Ambassadorship

• Has the presence to be the image of the SOA both to the membership and external partners.   
• Possesses excellent oral and written communication skills.   
• Good listener who keeps their fingers on the pulse of the SOA membership.   
• Has proven to have the ability to connect with diverse constituents and understand different points of view and communicate goals effectively to a wide audience.   

Ethics and Transparency

• Demonstrates objectivity and transparency in the decision-making process and doesn’t focus on individual agendas.   
• Maintains the highest level of ethical standards and integrity. 

Collaboration

• Demonstrates ability to collaborate with other members of the Board, volunteers and staff to achieve the goals of the SOA.   
• Ability to build consensus. 
• Culturally sensitive and demonstrates awareness of others.   
• Ability to both lead a team and be a team player. 
• Strong communication skills to lead board meetings, set agendas, and articulate decisions to various stakeholders.  

Commitment

• Demonstrates dedication and commitment to the profession and the SOA.   
• Willing to commit the time necessary to fulfill the expectations and duties of a Board member.