ESVS Secretary General –
Call for applications
The European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) is opening a call for applications to elect a new Secretary General.
The mandate of Secretary General to the ESVS is for 5 years preceded by an additional year shadowing the current Secretary General, Professor Maarit Venermo. During their final fifth year the Secretary General works with their successor to ensure a smooth handover. We are therefore looking for someone to begin a shadowing year in September 2024 (at the closure of the Annual Meeting in Krakow), officially becoming ESVS Secretary General in September 2025 (at the closure of the Annual Meeting in Istanbul).
The role is very much hands-on, and the successful candidate should commit to:
- daily contribution to ESVS activities
- at least 40 travel days per year
- regular phone conferences, including with CEO, ESVS office, congress organisers, etc.
- working closely with the Presidents – current, President-Elect and Deputy President Elect in furthering the Society’s aims
For their hard work, and despite the fact that the Secretary General is a Charity Trustee, the ESVS received authorisation from the Charity Commission to provide a monthly honorarium to the Secretary General.
The role of Secretary General to the ESVS is pivotal to the Society, and can be summarised in six main activity areas.
Legal responsibility:
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- Ensuring meetings are effectively organised and minuted: Executive Committee, Council, Annual General Meetings of the members (AGM)
- Maintaining effective records and administration
- Upholding the legal requirements of governing documents (e.g. bye-laws)
- Communication and correspondence
Although the Secretary General is the ultimate person accountable for these tasks, the administrative execution of these tasks is carried out by the office and accountant .
Overseeing and ultimate responsibility for daily operations (incl. office supervision)
The Secretary General is consulted during recruitment of ESVS employees to the ESVS office located in Bordeaux. The ESVS CEO is directly accountable to the Secretary General, and the current Bordeaux team is made up of 8 full time members of staff. The Secretary General could be expected to make trips to the Bordeaux office each year for meetings, including an annual trip to assist in a ‘President’s Onboarding’ meeting. The Secretary General has weekly calls with the office to discuss operational and strategic matters, and should also make themselves available for other adhoc online meetings.
Whilst the ESVS has a Treasurer responsible for the management of the ESVS finances, supported by an accountant who is an employee of the Society, the Secretary General is expected to have an interest in the financial situation and play a part in making sound decisions to maintain the Society’s stability.
Maintenance and growth of the membership
The Secretary General is responsible for maintaining and growing the membership of the ESVS, and for increasing attendance at the Annual Meeting. To achieve this objective, the Secretary General will be required to participate in regular calls with selected National Societies, may be asked to help build programmes for joint sessions, and may themselves be invited to travel to meetings to promote the ESVS activities and membership offer.
Active participation in activity Committee meetings
The Secretary General attends many Committee meetings, including but not limited to the EJVES Editorial Board, the Annual Meeting Programme Committee and Budget team, European Research Hub, Industry Relations and Business Development Committee (see below), Journal Committee and Masterclass Programme Committee. The Secretary General can expect to attend one monthly meeting per committee and one onsite meeting annually for most committees. This is in addition to the meetings with the office (mentioned in point 2 above), Society Annual Meetings and National or Related Society meetings (mentioned in point 3 above).
Active support in maintaining and developing industry relationships
The ESVS created the Industry Relations and Business Development Committee (IRBD) to enhance the interface between the ESVS and its major sponsors and exhibitors. The IRBD Committee works to build relationships with Industry, to increase major partnership numbers and to negotiate directly with sponsors to ensure their continued support to all of the Society’s activities.
Development of strategic vision of the ESVS
Including ESVS positioning, representation of the Society in external meetings (National Societies or related societies). The Secretary General is a key player in leading decisions on ESVS Strategy, through their collaboration with the ESVS Executive Committee, ESVS office and Industry Partners.
Selection criteria:
- Scientifically oriented
- Educational understanding
- Hold a Full, European membership (as per the ESVS Bye Laws)
- Not holding a leadership position in a competing organisation
- In good standing
- Is in control of their time and has sufficient availability
- Fluent in English
- Agrees with ESVS values and commits to living them
- Additional asset : has good contacts with industry and is business-oriented
Application process:
- Complete online application form via the ESVS website
- Provide letter confirming that the applicant is a vascular specialist in good standing, signed by the National Society or from the national medical authorities
- Provide a declaration of conflicts of interest
- Application submitted by 1st March 2024
- ExCo will review applications in April 2024
- Selected applicants will be asked to present to ESVS Council in September 2024, where a ballot vote will determine the successful candidate
- Should you have any questions regarding the position, please feel free to contact current Secretary General Professor Maarit Venermo at maarit.venermo@esvs.org or Natalie Helene at natalie@esvs.org
Applications for this position are now closed.
