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About the Royal Society for Asian Affairs

The Royal Society for Asian Affairs (RSAA) was founded in 1901.  In our 125th anniversary year, the Society is renewing its mission of promoting knowledge and deeper understanding of Asia.  The next two years will be crucial in completing a highly successful period of adaptation, carrying through the next stage in 2027, and taking the Society forward sustainably beyond that.  The Board is looking for a new Chief Executive who sees that prospect as an opportunity to grasp.

The Opportunity

The new Chief Executive will lead the Society through a period of major change while simultaneously delivering an existing programme.  They will head a team of eight including two full-time staff, one part-time contractor and five volunteers.  They will be accountable to the Chairman and Board of Trustees and run the Society, its activities, administration, staff and finances in accordance with the strategic priorites and budget set by the Board.

This is a hands-on role.  The Chief Executive leads and directs, but also does: drafting board papers, writing to donors, dealing with the accountants, responding to members, and turning a hand to whatever the week requires.Candidates whose previous experience has been in working through a larger management structure should consider this carefully before applying.

Key Responsibilites

• Fundraising and income generation
• Publications and publishing partnerships
• Programme of events, awards and educational activities
• Digitisation and long-term care of the Society's collections 
• Relations with the Society's members and other supporters 
• Team leadership, governance, finance and compliance

About You

We are looking for an individual who can bring:

· Senior leadershipExperience at a senior level, with personal accountability for the delivery of an organisation’s objectives, its budget and its staff, and experience of working to, or as part of, a governing body

· Appetite for fundraisingA clear understanding that the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts and endowment will be the single most important element of the role, and a demonstrable aptitude and enthusiasm for it, including a willingness to ask individuals and institutions for money, to be refused, and to persist

· Networks and standingStrong networking skills, and the ability to build and sustain relationships with donors, partners, academics, publishers, diplomats and members, in the United Kingdom and internationally

· Financial literacyThe confidence to work with budgets, management accounts, reserves and investment reporting, and with the Society’s Treasurer, its bookkeepers and its independent examiner

· Leadership of a small, remote teamThe ability to lead colleagues who know their own fields better than the Chief Executive is likely to; securing their commitment and holding them to account without stifling their initiative; and working independently and productively from home

· Commitment to the fieldAn informed general interest in Asia and its contemporary affairs, a relevant network of contacts, and a willingness to keep both up to date. Specialist or scholarly expertise in Asia is not required

· Judgement and independenceSound judgement and discretion; and the ability to give a board of trustees timely, accurate and candid advice

The full role description and person specification is attached.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make an enduring difference to an organisation that has made a significant contribution to Asian Studies for 125 years and which intends to continue doing so.  With the support of a small but committed and high-performing team, this is a rare chance to shape the RSAA for the next generation.