Vice President, Commercial Division

Description

Vice President, Commercial Hybrid (2-3 days per week onsite)

Location: New York City

Salary Range: $175,000 – $185,000, with a 20% discretionary incentive target.

Actual compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, internal equity, and other relevant factors.

About the Role

The American Arbitration Association is seeking a dynamic and experienced Vice President, Commercial Division, to help lead and grow the AAA’s core dispute resolution practice areas.

This is an opportunity for a strategic, relationship-focused leader to play a key role in advancing the AAA’s mission and strengthening its position as a trusted leader in commercial arbitration and mediation.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and support the delivery of high-quality commercial arbitration and mediation services.
• Develop and execute strategies to expand the AAA’s commercial ADR services, strengthen key relationships, and identify new business opportunities.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with law firms, corporate legal departments, business leaders, industry groups, bar associations, arbitrators, mediators, and other key stakeholders.
• Serve as a visible representative of the AAA in the commercial dispute resolution community, including at industry events, conferences, meetings, and client-facing programs.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to Directors and team members, including performance management, professional development, and support for a high-performing and engaged team culture.
• Oversee and provide guidance on complex arbitration and mediation matters, ensuring consistent adherence to AAA rules, procedures, service standards, and best practices.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, business development, Panel Resources & Development, regional leaders, and other internal partners to share insights, strengthen service delivery, and support organizational growth.
• Use data, market intelligence, client feedback, and operational insights to inform strategy, improve service quality, and identify opportunities for innovation.
• Support the recruitment, engagement, and development of arbitrators and mediators to ensure the AAA’s roster continues to meet the needs of the commercial marketplace.
• Manage budgets, monitor financial performance, and help ensure responsible and effective use of resources.
• Promote a culture of integrity, confidentiality, impartiality, collaboration, accountability, and service excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, legal studies, or a related field; advanced degree such as a JD, MBA, or LL.M. strongly preferred; or equivalent mix of education and experience.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in alternative dispute resolution, legal services, commercial litigation, dispute management, business development, or a related field.
• Management or leadership experience, preferably including responsibility for coaching, developing, and guiding professional staff.
• Strong knowledge of arbitration, mediation, and the commercial legal marketplace.
• Demonstrated success in business development, relationship management, client engagement, strategic planning, or market expansion.
• Excellent communication, presentation, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with senior-level stakeholders, including law firm leaders, corporate counsel, business executives, neutrals, and internal partners.
• Strong business acumen, sound judgment, and ability to use data and market insights to support decision-making.
• Comfort with technology, including case management systems, CRM tools, data analysis tools, and virtual meeting platforms.
• Ability to travel as needed, approximately 20%, for client meetings, conferences, industry events, and internal meetings.