American Chemical Society
Sr. Director of Digital Transformation
American Chemical Society, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
The Company
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is the world's largest scientific membership association. This non-profit, scientific organization's mission is to 'improve all lives through the transforming power of chemistry'. ACS provides opportunities for networking, professional development, and reliable news and information for professionals and students working in chemistry, as well as those reliant on trusted information involving chemistry in government, enterprise, and across the global community of members.
ACS approaches its 150th anniversary in 2026, and with it comes a rebrand and a new website that that will serve as an inviting introduction to the ACS brand for both members and customers. ACS must rely on digital channels as the primary pathway for value discovery, product delivery, and engagement. Through this transformation, ACS will highlight its value proposition with a customer-centric digital experience designed to enhance member engagement. The vision includes offering must-have member benefits and services, career-expanding professional development, user-friendly onboarding, and a seamless, integrated experience. This is the first step in reshaping ACS' digital presence to drive engagement, retention, and growth-securing the Society's market position for years to come.
The Role
The American Chemical Society is seeking a collaborative, high-energy leader to lead a sizeable team (32) of both full-time employees and contractors. The Senior Director of Digital Transformation & Experience Strategy will play an integral role enhancing user and customer interactions and delivering value across all digital channels, including ACS.org and associated product applications. A focus on design, accessibility, user experience, data and analytics, platform integration, personalization, and continuous improvement based on feedback and trends is essential.
This role requires a dynamic and strategic leader capable of spearheading the digital transformation agenda, enhancing customer experiences, and driving the growth and success of the American Chemical Society's digital presence. This leader goes beyond just managing their team to proactively engage with other ACS stakeholders to collaborate at all levels. As a champion for the ACS brand, they will promote awareness, understanding, and the appropriate use of brand resources, ensuring a cohesive and impactful digital presence.Strategic Planning and Execution:Develop and direct all activities related to conceptualizing and implementing a comprehensive digital transformation and experience strategy.Collaborate with senior leaders and key stakeholders to define strategic goals, set priorities, and define KPIs and measure the success of digital initiatives.Drive the creation and improvement of digital products and experiences that meet member needs and industry standards.
Team Leadership and Development:Hire, develop, and retain top talent within the digital team.Lead, mentor, and develop a highly qualified and motivated cross-functional team including experience design, information architecture, content strategy, visual design, front-end development, product innovation, and digital technology.Foster a culture of innovation, customer-centricity, and data-driven decision-making.Innovation and Technology:Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends to inform strategic decisions.Ensure compliance with accessibility standards and data privacy regulations.Customer Experience and Engagement:Utilize data and analytics to inform strategy and continuously improve user experiences.Drive high engagement and repeat usage of digital products with existing members and acquire new members where relevant.Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing audience-centered experiences by setting clear goals, mapping customer journeys, creating relevant products, resources, and content, and choosing the right technology. They will possess a passion for connecting audiences, fostering innovation and engagement. They will understand the power of data, using it to craft compelling stories that inform acquisition strategies, long-term planning, and product innovation. They will also be a relationship builder that colleagues seek out for their ideas and ability to make things happen.
Candidate Qualifications
Demonstrable track record of departmental leadership delivering successful digital products and experiencesDegree in Digital Design, Social Science, Computer Science, Information Technology, or 15+ years related experience5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role managing cross-functional teams15+ years of experience in digital product management, experience strategy, experience design, or related fieldsStrong expertise in human cognition, social science, design thinking, service design, and product managementExperience in qualitative and quantitative research methodsProficiency leading in project management tools (Jira, Asana, Trello)Knowledge of web, CMS technology, and data analytics toolsExperience with agile development methodologies
This role is based in our Washington, D.C. office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $213,000 to $288,000.
ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.
Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.
ACS has exclusively retained Elevate Talent for this search. Please contact:
Anna Kelch
Managing Partner, Global Technology
e // anna.kelch@oneelevate.com
m // +1 847 989 8722
Mimi BraunsteinAssociate
e // mimi.braunstein@oneelevate.com
o // +475-755-6201
Diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) is a fundamental priority for Elevate Talent. Our philosophy focusses on embedding inclusive behaviours and processes across every element of our business practices, internally and in our work with clients and candidates.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is the world's largest scientific membership association. This non-profit, scientific organization's mission is to 'improve all lives through the transforming power of chemistry'. ACS provides opportunities for networking, professional development, and reliable news and information for professionals and students working in chemistry, as well as those reliant on trusted information involving chemistry in government, enterprise, and across the global community of members.
ACS approaches its 150th anniversary in 2026, and with it comes a rebrand and a new website that that will serve as an inviting introduction to the ACS brand for both members and customers. ACS must rely on digital channels as the primary pathway for value discovery, product delivery, and engagement. Through this transformation, ACS will highlight its value proposition with a customer-centric digital experience designed to enhance member engagement. The vision includes offering must-have member benefits and services, career-expanding professional development, user-friendly onboarding, and a seamless, integrated experience. This is the first step in reshaping ACS' digital presence to drive engagement, retention, and growth-securing the Society's market position for years to come.
The Role
The American Chemical Society is seeking a collaborative, high-energy leader to lead a sizeable team (32) of both full-time employees and contractors. The Senior Director of Digital Transformation & Experience Strategy will play an integral role enhancing user and customer interactions and delivering value across all digital channels, including ACS.org and associated product applications. A focus on design, accessibility, user experience, data and analytics, platform integration, personalization, and continuous improvement based on feedback and trends is essential.
This role requires a dynamic and strategic leader capable of spearheading the digital transformation agenda, enhancing customer experiences, and driving the growth and success of the American Chemical Society's digital presence. This leader goes beyond just managing their team to proactively engage with other ACS stakeholders to collaborate at all levels. As a champion for the ACS brand, they will promote awareness, understanding, and the appropriate use of brand resources, ensuring a cohesive and impactful digital presence.Strategic Planning and Execution:Develop and direct all activities related to conceptualizing and implementing a comprehensive digital transformation and experience strategy.Collaborate with senior leaders and key stakeholders to define strategic goals, set priorities, and define KPIs and measure the success of digital initiatives.Drive the creation and improvement of digital products and experiences that meet member needs and industry standards.
Team Leadership and Development:Hire, develop, and retain top talent within the digital team.Lead, mentor, and develop a highly qualified and motivated cross-functional team including experience design, information architecture, content strategy, visual design, front-end development, product innovation, and digital technology.Foster a culture of innovation, customer-centricity, and data-driven decision-making.Innovation and Technology:Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends to inform strategic decisions.Ensure compliance with accessibility standards and data privacy regulations.Customer Experience and Engagement:Utilize data and analytics to inform strategy and continuously improve user experiences.Drive high engagement and repeat usage of digital products with existing members and acquire new members where relevant.Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing audience-centered experiences by setting clear goals, mapping customer journeys, creating relevant products, resources, and content, and choosing the right technology. They will possess a passion for connecting audiences, fostering innovation and engagement. They will understand the power of data, using it to craft compelling stories that inform acquisition strategies, long-term planning, and product innovation. They will also be a relationship builder that colleagues seek out for their ideas and ability to make things happen.
Candidate Qualifications
Demonstrable track record of departmental leadership delivering successful digital products and experiencesDegree in Digital Design, Social Science, Computer Science, Information Technology, or 15+ years related experience5+ years of experience in a senior leadership role managing cross-functional teams15+ years of experience in digital product management, experience strategy, experience design, or related fieldsStrong expertise in human cognition, social science, design thinking, service design, and product managementExperience in qualitative and quantitative research methodsProficiency leading in project management tools (Jira, Asana, Trello)Knowledge of web, CMS technology, and data analytics toolsExperience with agile development methodologies
This role is based in our Washington, D.C. office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $213,000 to $288,000.
ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.
Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.
ACS has exclusively retained Elevate Talent for this search. Please contact:
Anna Kelch
Managing Partner, Global Technology
e // anna.kelch@oneelevate.com
m // +1 847 989 8722
Mimi BraunsteinAssociate
e // mimi.braunstein@oneelevate.com
o // +475-755-6201
Diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) is a fundamental priority for Elevate Talent. Our philosophy focusses on embedding inclusive behaviours and processes across every element of our business practices, internally and in our work with clients and candidates.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)