President-Elect and Vice-Chair Description and Criteria
Learn more about the role of the SOA Board of Directors.
Job Description
Presidential Officers
| Title | Term | Primary Focus |
| President-Elect and Vice-Chair | 1 year |
|
| President and Chair | 1 year |
|
| Past President | 1 year |
|
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 Orientation Meeting in Fall.
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 30 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
- Exhibits appropriate professional behavior as a representative of the SOA
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.
- Exhibits an entrepreneurial spirit.
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 his or her 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.