The Association of Southeast Asian Studies (ASEAS) is calling for applications for the role of Operations Director on the ASEAS Executive Committee. As a named voluntary position, the role holder will receive an occasional honorarium.
Deadline for applications: 13th March 2026
The Role
Operations Director, Association of Southeast Asian Studies
Four-year term (two-years minimum)
Are you a proactive organiser with a passion for Southeast Asian studies and a knack for making complex systems run effectively? We are looking for a dynamic Operations Director to serve as the engine room of the Association of Southeast Asian Studies (ASEAS). In this pivotal role, you won’t just be managing tasks—you’ll be the primary face of our community, driving member engagement and ensuring our vital early career workshops and awards programmes reach the researchers who need them most.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
As our Operations Director, you will own the day-to-day lifecycle of ASEAS. From the initial spark of a membership application to the final celebration of a prize winner, you are the common thread that ensures excellence and efficiency. Your impact will be in these areas:
- Experience Architect: Act as the first point of contact for academics and partners globally, transforming every enquiry into a positive, engaging experience.
- Digital Navigator: Take full ownership of aseasuk.org, keeping our community informed with fresh content, sleek automated communications, and timely updates.
- Grant & Award Champion: Partner with the Research Committee to facilitate our funding rounds—managing everything from eligibility checks to the final disbursement of funds.
- Event Strategist: Provide the logistical backbone for our high-profile annual PhD workshops and biannual conferences.
- Strategic Advisor: Support the Executive Committee by producing data-driven reports on membership trends and website performance, while ensuring we remain fully compliant and organised.
Who You Are
- A Skilled Coordinator: You thrive on managing multiple streams of work, from website maintenance to financial liaison.
- A Clear Communicator: You can distil complex information into engaging emails and professional committee minutes.
- Tech-Savvy & Diligent: You’re comfortable with digital filing, website CMS, and navigating GDPR requirements with precision.
- Collaborative: You enjoy working with a range of colleagues to bring ambitious projects to life.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to sit at the centre of a prestigious academic network. You will gain a 360-degree view of how a charitable association operates, influencing our growth and helping shape the future of Southeast Asian studies in the UK and beyond.
Requirements & Skills
The Essential Toolkit
- Operational Excellence: Proven experience in office management or project coordination, with a track record of handling day-to-day administrative systems efficiently.
- Superior Communication: Exceptional written and verbal skills. You can pivot from drafting professional formal minutes to writing warm, engaging welcome emails for new members.
- Digital Proficiency: Experience managing website content (CMS) and utilising automated communication tools. You should be comfortable troubleshooting basic system issues and organizing complex digital filing structures.
- Financial & Data Literacy: Ability to handle basic financial administration (liaising with directors on payments) and compile data into clear, actionable reports for the Executive Committee.
The “Soft” Skills
- Stakeholder Management: A natural “people person” who can act as a bridge between the Research Committee, Communications Director, and external institutional partners.
- Meticulous Attention to Detail: Whether you are checking grant eligibility or ensuring GDPR compliance, you are someone who rarely lets a detail slip through the cracks.
- Proactive Problem Solver: You don’t just spot a bottleneck in the membership renewal process; you suggest and implement the fix.
- Discretion & Integrity: Comfortable handling sensitive personal data and confidential committee discussions with total professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with the Higher Education landscape or academic associations.
- Experience working within or reporting to a registered charity (understanding Charity Commission requirements is a major plus!).
- An interest in Southeast Asian studies or international research networks.
How to apply
To apply for this position please submit a CV (maximum two pages including contact details for two referees) and two-page cover letter outlining why you wish to join the team at ASEAS, and how your experience meets the Requirements and Skills outlined above. Please send applications to operations@southeastasianstudies.org
The deadline for applications is midnight on 13th March 2026.
Further information
Those applying for the position are expected to become ASEAS members and to attend regular Executive Committee meetings and the AGM, all of which are held remotely.
The appointed candidate will be made a Trustee of ASEAS, which is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. For this reason, nominations from candidates living and working in the UK are preferred. Trustees are expected to promote and advance the discipline of Southeast Asian Studies in the UK and beyond, and to work to make ASEAS an inclusive, accessible, transparent, and responsive organisation which proactively champions the needs of its diverse community of members.
For more information about the role or working at ASEAS, please contact Kimberley Weir, Operations Director, at operations@southeastasianstudies.org
ASEAS 