Call for applications: AO Trauma Research Commission Chairperson

AO Trauma International searches

A highly motivated trauma/orthopedic surgeon, who is altruistic, a true team player, and who has the vision and astuteness to lead and further develop the AO Trauma community as the worldwide leading global network of experts in the field of trauma and/or orthopedic surgery. The candidate should have a reputable education and background in research and orthopedic trauma surgery, ideally combined with a good business and strategic awareness. He/she should have a broad international experience and be able to work in multi-cultural environments. As a leader, he/she must possess strong and refined people skills, and a dedication to sharing and encouraging ideas across professional and cultural boundaries.

Eligibility

• Current and past members of any  AO Trauma Global Commission
• Current and past member of any AO Trauma Regional Board
• Selected exceptional candidates nominated by the NomCom who are not current or past members of AO Trauma Regional Boards or Global Commissions
• Further criteria may apply as defined in the job description
• The same function can only be held once by the same person
   

Responsibilities

Accountabilities

Accountable to the AO TRC and the members of the AO Trauma community

• Lead the AO TRC without bias, enacting all AO Trauma Terms of Reference, guidelines and policies.
• Ensure that AO Trauma Research remains a surgeon-led community, creating value for its members.
• Oversee AO TRC’s budget with fiscal prudence and diversify its potential revenue streams.
• Initiate and encourage innovative programs and services for the advancement of the AO Trauma Research community.
• Identify and engage potential successors in accordance with succession planning.

Accountable to the AO TIB for the performance and compliance of the AO TRC

• Ensure that the AO TRC as a whole conforms to all charters (including by-laws, shared values and code of ethics), templates of governance and policy guidelines of the AO Foundation.
• Represent the interests of the AO TRC on the AO TIB.
• Convey and implement all AO TIB directives, goals and objectives to the AO TRC, its various stakeholders and its regional entities, and monitor performance and achievement.
• Oversee the definition, implementation and monitoring of AO TRC’s mid-term plan activities.
• Advance the vision and mission of the AO Foundation.
   

Governance

Chair the AO TRC meetings

• Ensure that the structure of the AO TRC mirrors the strategic intent and needs of the organization and is congruent with AO Trauma’s templates of governance.
• Conduct, manage and facilitate AO TRC meetings without self-interest, in an efficient and effective manner (cost and time conscious), including preparation of all documentation, minute taking and action-point follow-ups, and according to agreed guidelines, policies and budgets.
• Ensure a fair delegation of the correct tasks and projects to appropriate AOTRC members.
• Champion and regularly review or amend the AO Trauma Research strategy, and initiate corrective measures when necessary.
• Supervise and monitor the implementation of resolutions, action plans, initiatives and projects, including milestones and budget.
• Sign and distribute minutes of the AO TRC meetings to all relevant parties.
• Encourage and facilitate an open information exchange policy and collaborative teamwork within the AO TRC.
   

Regional Research Committees

Monitor the performance and effectiveness of the AO Trauma Regional Research Committees

• Attend all AO Trauma Regional Research Committee meetings at least once during tenure.
• Present the vision, mission, strategy and activities to the AO Trauma Regional Research Committees.
• Maintain proactive and open communication with the AO Trauma Regional Research Committees at regular intervals.
• Set and measure the performance of the AO Trauma Regional Research Committee Chairpersons.
• Ensure that the AO Trauma Regional Research Committees create alignment and value for the AO Trauma community.
• Support the development of proactive, timely, fair and transparent succession planning.
   

Networking and partner management

Support the development of mutually beneficial alliances and partnerships

• Plan and manage the building of relationships with approved industrial and academic partners.
• Create alliances with regional, national and international trauma and orthopedic societies and other NGO entities.
• Establish and approve sponsorship partnerships and agreements if appropriate and respectful of the current contracts in place.

Lead collaboration and exploit synergies with other AO parties

• AO Clinical Specialties.
• AO Institutes, Service and Support organizations: Education (AOEI), Innovation and Translation Center (ITC), Research (ARI), Technical Commission (TC), Finance and Human Resources.

Act as primary liaison and lead collaboration between the AO TRC and AO Foundation’s approved industrial partners

• Manage contracts, partnerships and alliances according to the AO TIB and AO TRC templates of governance process. 
   

Requirements

Essential criteria

• An AO Trauma paying member.
• Previous experience with AO Trauma Research; an officer role is a strong advantage.
• An active, practicing trauma and/or orthopedic surgeon, with demonstrated knowledge and experience in trauma, ideally holding a leadership position at a university or academic institution.
• Have a good research reputation: well published in high-impact academic journals, with a first-rate research network and connections including fundraising capability, and some experience in multicenter clinical and/or applied research studies.
• A recognized member or officer of key national, regional or international trauma associations.
• Does not hold other governance positions in AO Trauma. If elected from within the same governance body and keen to assume the position, he/she will be required to resign from the prior position as soon as the term as new chairperson-elect begins.
• Ready to prepare, attend and actively participate in various governance meetings (AO Trauma and AOF).
• Highly motivated to develop and manage interpersonal connections across professional specialties and to continue to build up AOTrauma as the world-leading trauma body.
• A good and clear communicator, a good listener and a facilitator.
• Prepared to volunteer up to 2-3 days per month away from his/her clinical practice, as well as to be reasonably accessible at his/her clinical practice.
• Prepared to volunteer up to 1 day per month for meeting preparation and correspondence by email or telephone.
• Able to work in multicultural teams and environments.
• Willing to travel internationally.
• Have a good command of English, written and spoken. Any other global languages are advantageous.
• Have experience in working with committees or boards.
   

Highly desirable criteria

• Show proven innovation within his/her own institution or affiliated orthopedic bodies.
• Have a broad personal network and strong relationships with international opinion leaders in trauma and/or orthopedic surgery.
• Enjoy leading people by engaging and delegating.
• Have sound business awareness and understand business strategy and marketing-like activities.
• Be a good project manager and delegator, and be capable and willing to use diplomatic skills.
• Have a good knowledge of Mac or Microsoft Office, ideally combined with other IT interests and skills.
   

Remuneration

As per AO Foundation’s guidelines.