The Strategic Management Society (SMS) is seeking applications from PhD student members to serve as the PhD Student Representative on the Membership Committee of the SMS Board of Directors. The selected representative will serve a one-year term ending December 31, 2027, with the opportunity to renew for one additional year pending a review and approval process.

The Membership Committee works to strengthen the sense of community among SMS members around the world. The PhD Student Representative brings the perspective of PhD student members to these efforts. Working with the other Committee members and the SMS Executive Office, the Representative will help identify and organize member engagement programs and initiatives, particularly those that serve PhD students. The Committee’s work includes:

• Following current trends and needs in the SMS community and recommending or developing plans to meet them.
• Reviewing current membership services and programs regularly and recommending improvements.
• Developing and recommending ways to grow SMS membership, especially among historically underrepresented groups and across the global community.
• Serving as a point of contact between the SMS Interest Groups & Communities (IG&Cs) and the SMS Board of Directors, including setting guiding objectives and overseeing IG&C governance.
• Advising the SMS Executive Office on membership structure, dues, and value propositions.

Additional information about the SMS Membership Committee can be found in the Committee’s Charter. 

The Committee meets four times a year, in person or virtually, ahead of the Spring, Summer, and Fall Board of Directors meetings, and communicates by email throughout the year. The Committee also meets twice a year with IG&C leadership, once in the spring and once in the fall, either virtually or in person at SMS conferences. Committee members take an active part in membership outreach, including New Member Welcomes and virtual events, and in networking and engagement activities at the SMS Annual Conference. The role requires about two to four hours per quarter for meetings, preparation, events, and communications.

The SMS welcomes candidates from a range of backgrounds and regions so that the Representative can serve the whole community well. Candidates must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• SMS membership: Be a current SMS Student Member entering at least their second year of membership as of January 1, 2027.
• Doctoral progress: Be in at least the third year of their doctoral program.
• Term commitment: Be willing to serve the full one-year term and keep their SMS membership active throughout it.

In addition to the details provided above, expectations for all SMS Board Committee Members can be found in these Guidelines. 

Apply for the Position

Applications for the PhD Student Representative are due October 28, 2026. Please submit your CV and a letter of interest through Submittable. In your letter, please describe your volunteer service to the academic profession, whether with the SMS or other associations.

Current members of the Committee can be found on the SMS Membership Committee page. Members interested in the position are welcome to connect with the current Committee members to learn more about the position and responsibilities.

To contact the SMS Executive Office, please email sms@strategicmanagement.net. For technical assistance with this submission process, please contact Submittable Customer Service.