Chief Executive Officer

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) seeks a visionary, strategic, and engaging leader to serve as their Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO of the ASP will lead the organization into the future through inspiring leadership, innovative strategic vision, and sustainable and thriving financial management. The ASP’s astronomy education efforts target amateur astronomers, professional research astronomers, K-college classrooms, science museums, planetariums, national and state parks, nature centers, libraries, astronomy clubs, and the wider community.

Celebrating its 135th year in 2024, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) is an international 501c3 nonprofit astronomy organization, headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Founded in 1889 as a society to support amateur and professional astronomers, the ASP has maintained its commitment to fostering scientific literacy, promoting educational outreach, and advocating for the exploration of the cosmos. Over the years, the ASP has evolved into a global community of astronomers, educators, and enthusiasts united by their passion for understanding the universe, and today the ASP continues to develop and disseminate astronomy education kits, training programs, publications, education resources, and online services and tools in its mission to inspire youth and adults.

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) is seeking a dynamic and visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will lead the organization into the future through inspiring leadership, innovative organizational thinking, and excellent financial management. The CEO is responsible for the operation of the Society and its staff including administration, programs, financial management, fundraising, marketing, and outreach, and reports directly to the Board of Directors. As the ASP’s lead spokesperson, the CEO represents the Society to a wide range of stakeholders including its members, NASA, NSF, AAS, the amateur astronomy community, other astronomy and educational organizations, supporters, donors, and the general public.

Though the mission of the Society is unchanged, over the past two decades there have been seismic shifts in the way astronomy and astronomy education materials, programs, and resources are created, managed, and disseminated. For example, the Internet and social media have fundamentally changed the relationship between the ASP and its members, program participants, journal and magazine subscribers, and donors. The ASP has also made fundamental changes in the workplace and now supports an increasingly diverse staff working fully remote and hybrid. The Society remains deeply committed to diversity and inclusion through its many programs and initiatives and continues to focus on increasing the diversity of our staff and ensuring our programs reach out to diverse and underserved communities. All these changes in the landscape require innovative and creative leadership.

This is a full time, exempt position with an annual salary range between $180,000- $210,000, based on qualification and commensurate with experience. The position includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, and other benefits.  

For best consideration, please send all nominations and expressions of interest in confidence to:

Jim Sirianni, Managing Director
Kate Phillips, Senior Associate
Storbeck Search 
[email protected]

For more information, please visit home page at AstroSociety.org

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, or other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation should complete the application and/or interview process and contact a management representative.