Head, Ethics 

The American Physical Society (APS) is a nonprofit membership organization devoted to advancing and diffusing the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals and scientific meetings, as well as its education, outreach, advocacy, and international activities. APS represents 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and throughout the world.

Position Summary:

Join the American Physical Society in a leading role as our Head, Ethics! Are you passionate about promoting ethical practices? APS, a 124-year-old non-profit organization, seeks a dynamic and strategic-minded Head, Ethics to spearhead our ethics program. As the Head, Ethics, you will be pivotal in implementing and managing APS's member-facing ethics initiatives, aligning them with recognized standards for effective ethics programs. Your responsibilities will include identifying and assessing ethics risks, communicating the importance of our program, collaborating with key stakeholders such as the CHRO, Board, and Council, and maintaining essential guidelines and policies.

Join our diverse team of professionals who are genuinely passionate about their work! If you are ready to make a lasting impact on the scientific community, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for. Apply today!

This position requires 15% - 20% business travel to meetings and events as directed by the supervisor and additional travel as assigned.

APS has a “remote first” concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access within the United States, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. APS values diversity and welcomes candidates from a variety of backgrounds. APS offers a dynamic work environment with an outstanding total compensation package, including salary, outstanding benefits, and excellent paid time off.
 

The Head, Ethics is responsible for:

Key Relationships:

• The Head, Ethics reports to the Chief Human Resource Officer.
• The Head, Ethics receives advice and guidance from the CHRO, as well as from the Senior Leadership Team; APS colleagues across programs, meetings, editorial, publishing, communications, HR, and other departments – and external third-party agents and service vendors.

Key Responsibilities:

            Ethical Standards:

• Maintain, update, and communicate ethical guidelines, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance, currency, and relevance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and oversee a system for uniform handling of alleged violations of the Code of Ethics, Events Code of Conduct, and related policies, including the implementation and operation of retaliation-free reporting channels and investigation procedures that provide accused individuals an opportunity for a fair process.
• Design, manage, implement, and oversee procedures for handling complaints and conduct concerns arising under the Guidelines on Ethics and Meetings Code of Conduct. Serve as an advisor to the APS Ethics Committee, which is charged with making recommendations to the Council and Board of Directors regarding member/awardee discipline arising under the APS Code of Ethics.

• Conduct regular assessments and audits to identify violations of the Code of Ethics and related policies, recommend appropriate revisions and modifications, and mitigate potential ethical risks and violations.
• Monitor and review internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines.
• Identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; develop/implement corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues; and provide general guidance on how to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future.
• Evaluate trends, gaps, and potential improvement opportunities and provide anonymized logs and reports to the Board and Council regularly, and as requested. 
• Investigate reported incidents or concerns related to ethical misconduct, facilitate resolution, and recommend appropriate sanctions or disciplinary actions as determined.

• Establish and maintain a confidential and anonymous reporting mechanism and tracking system of all complaints and conduct concerns arising under the Code of Ethics, Events Code of Conduct, and Ethical Guidelines for Publication to ensure transparency and appropriate oversight by the CHRO and Council.
• Provide reports on a regular basis, and as directed or requested, to keep the CHRO informed of the operation and progress of compliance efforts. Give updates to the APS Board of Directors and Council on the state of the Ethics Department.
• Maintain an effective ethics and ethics compliance communication program to promote awareness of and compliance with the Ethics Department and work closely with the APS Meetings Department and staff.

• Advise the CHRO on ethical matters, risk management strategies, and potential areas of improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, Human Resources, and compliance departments, to align ethical practices with overall business goals and objectives.
• Stay informed about evolving industry trends, regulations, and best practices related to ethics and compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in business, ethics, law, or a related field is required.
• Advanced graduate degree or equivalent training in law/ethics is preferred.
• Professional certifications or memberships related to diversity, ethics, or inclusion is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of job related experience.
• Leadership experience.
• Advance knowledge of knowledge of ethical principles, legal and regulatory frameworks, and industry-specific
  compliance requirements.
• Experience in conducting investigations, managing conflicts of interest, and implementing ethics
  programs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and assess ethical risks and develop appropriate
  mitigation strategies.
• Familiarity with operational, financial, and quality assurance procedures and regulations.
• Expert in tactful, discreet, sound personal and business ethics.
• Ability to adapt to quickly changing schedules and appropriately set priorities regarding time-sensitive
  issues.
• Ability to work well with interdepartmental teams and independently in a business environment.
• Strong organization, documentation, and prioritization skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Location of Work:

APS follows a “remote first” work model, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. Although this is a “remote first” position, it requires some travel 15- 20% of business travel to meetings and events as directed by the supervisor. APS does not provide relocation assistance.

Travel:
 

This position requires 15% - 20% business travel to meetings and events as directed by the supervisor and additional travel as assigned.

The American Physical Society is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of American Physical Society not to discriminate or allow the harassment of employees or applicants on the basis of race, religious creed, immigration status, alienage or citizenship, religion, color, ethnicity, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, familial status, protected veteran status, protected military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, ancestry, domestic violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by law with regard to any employment practices, including recruitment, advertising, job application procedures, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, job assignments, benefits and/or other terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, provided the individual is qualified, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions of the job. This policy applies to all jobs at APS. The American Physical Society is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact APS Human Resources at hr@aps.org.

The “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal'' poster, prepared by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), provides an overview of several laws that protect you from discrimination on the job, and several rights are afforded to you by these laws. The “Pay Transparency Non Discrimination Provision,” prepared by the U.S. Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), provides an overview of several protections implemented to protect individuals working under federal contracts from discrimination when inquiring about or discussing compensation; these protections apply to all employees and applicants.

All APS Employees must be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination via our secured vaccination portal upon hire, unless they have an HR approved medical or religious exemption.

The APS has a "remote first" concept that promotes equal treatment and equal access, independent of physical work location, with a majority of staff working primarily from remote work locations. We welcome you to apply today!