Managing Director of Board Relations and Governance

Job Level: Managing Director

Reports To: Chief Strategy Officer

Location: NY, CT or RI

Standard Work Hours: 9a-6p 

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time 

Salary: 150,331

About Achievement First

Achievement First (AF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting 39 public charter schools across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. For more than 25 years, AF has been recognized as one of the top tuition-free public charter school networks in the country. We are committed to creating schools of academic excellence within nurturing environments — schools that prepare students to be college-ready and to pursue and succeed in whatever paths they choose in life.

The majority of AF students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families, many of whom will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Across our network, we employ more than 2,200 staff members — 64% of whom identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn and Queens, NY; New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford, CT; and Providence and Cranston, RI.

Our mission is to prepare every student to excel in college, career, and life; deepen their understanding of self and community; and lead lives of purpose. We believe in the limitless potential within our students and their power to shape a more just society. That belief drives our deep commitment to student achievement: we aim to set a high bar for learning and create warm, demanding classrooms where rigorous instruction is paired with the care, encouragement, and consistency every student deserves.

Your Impact

The Managing Director of Board Relations and Governance will be responsible for developing and upholding the standard of excellence for board governance across the Achievement First Network. This role will establish, continuously improve, and uphold all board governance processes and policies that support Achievement First’s seven network support and regional boards. This role is a strategic partner to the CEO, Regional Leaders, and the Executive Team, helping to develop the multi-year organizational story arc to ensure that each board has insight into the effectiveness of AF’s program and schools and internalizes organizational progress. This role will ensure that there is strong cohesion across all seven boards by establishing a clear vision, processes, and systems for strong, effective, and compliant board governance, while still ensuring space for responsiveness to local needs and opportunities within each region. As Achievement First evolves into a regionalized operating model, the MD of Board Governance and Relations will partner with regional leaders, developing the tools and training that the Regional Executive Directors and the Regional MD of External Affairs will need to ensure AF has strong governance across all of AF’s regions. The Managing Director role is a strategic one that is charged with ensuring that Achievement First boards continue to develop into high functioning non-profit boards, while also requiring a high degree of project management skills to manage multiple priorities and collaborate closely with many stakeholders. Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy Officer, your responsibilities will include:

Strategic Planning

• In collaboration with key senior leaders, develop a multi-year plan grounded in data to continuously improve the board governance function and ensure strong governance practices.
• Collaborate with the CEO,  Regional Leaders, and the Executive Team to ensure the board governance function meets the needs of each of the region-specific boards and the Network Support board.
• Support network leaders in developing and communicating the organizational story arc for the year.
• Develop and uphold a clear vision of excellence for board governance, including developing the board meeting arc of the year, board meeting execution and facilitation, rigorous board member cultivation systems and processes, and board compliance;  collaborate closely with Regional Leaders to ensure this vision is maintained across the organization.
• Regularly analyze key board governance metrics to track each Board’s progress and impact; share reports with key internal and external stakeholders; adjust board governance priorities as necessary based on data analysis
• Meet regularly with the Network Support Board Chair to develop board-specific strategies to ensure each board can successfully operate at a high level now and in the future
• Meet regularly with Regional Leaders to monitor and adjust region-specific board strategies
• Alongside regional leaders, develop key strategic partnerships and relationships within each state to ensure each board has a strong pipeline of future board members 
• Develop relationships with other CMOs and non-profits to collaborate and ensure Achievement First utilizes the most up-to-date board governance strategies and technology

Board Content Creation and Meeting Management 

• In collaboration with senior leaders, develop the arc of the year for board meetings to ensure each board receives timely updates and can provide input on organizational and regional priorities and initiatives
• Collaborate with senior leaders and internal staff members to create and vet the board content for each cycle based on the agreed-upon priorities
• Develop and vet board meeting agendas aligned to the arc of the year and organizational goals
• Partner with Regional Leaders to complete board content for each cycle and ensure regional priorities and updates are captured accurately
• Responsible for meeting logistics and co-facilitation for the Network Support Board meetings; collaborate with regional leaders to ensure effective logistics and facilitation of regional board meetings 
• Support with  each board meeting to ensure the meeting is executed at a high level and to provide facilitation support to the CEO, Regional EDs, and Board Chairs, as needed; capture board minutes,  follow ups, take-aways, and next steps and share them with key stakeholders after each meeting
• Collaborate with and support senior leaders to plan for and facilitate sub-committee meetings, including the Finance Committees, Academic Committees, and Facilities Committees across each board. 

Compliance, Policies, and Bylaws 

• In close collaboration with the General Counsel, ensure all board governance policies and procedures are followed, many of which are region-specific
• Stay up to date on state-specific board governance policies and laws
• Create systems to ensure ongoing compliance across all 7 boards.
• Regularly analyze reports and data to ensure compliance with regulations/laws
• Develop and implement strategies to mitigate compliance issues 
• Identify potential areas of concern and collaborate with key stakeholders to find proactive solutions
• Revise policies and create bylaws aligned to organizational goals and legislative requirements.
• Create and maintain training resources and related process documents 
• Oversee regular board reporting and distribution of required reports within each region

Board Member Retention and Cultivation

• Act as a  main point of contact, with exceptional customer service, for current and prospective board members; regularly meet with Regional Leaders and Board Chairs, as necessary, to develop their cultivation and vetting skills.
• Regularly analyze each board’s specific composition, ensuring that boards are robust and diverse; share data analysis with regional and senior leadership to support the cultivation process.
• Alongside Regional Leaders, develop and uphold the board member cultivation and vetting process, ensuring that each prospective board member has the right touchpoints and vetting prior to being offered a seat on the board
• Develop, regularly update, and implement an onboarding process that can be adapted by Regional Leaders to provide each board member with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to contribute impactfully during their board tenure
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with board chairs and board members during their tenure on the board, leveraging other internal staff members as needed
• Partner with Regional Leaders to ensure key board roles on each board have succession and transition plans in place to ensure smooth transitions year over year 

Board Operations and Logistics 

• Design, execute and track projects aligned to defined goals and other organizational priorities related to board governance.
• Partner with Regional Leaders to plan for and implement special board events including board retreats, onboardings, and other events as needed
• Manage the board governance budget and ensure timely completion of monthly forecasts and annual reviews

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least seven years of relevant professional experience in governance, client management, investor relations, or similar fields.
• Minimum of five years successfully managing multiple work areas and diverse teams to achieve defined goals.

Key Competencies

• Knowledge of board governance practices, policies, and bylaws.
• Expertise in managing competing priorities and complex projects.
• Experience with compliance requirements, including reporting and procedural oversight.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing others in board governance and board relations, including building governance fluency and judgment across teams.
• Proven ability to lead change and engage stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external.
• Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear reports and insights.
• Experience in event or meeting planning, including logistics management.
• Understanding of organizational strategy, impact, and implementation needs.
  
  

Skills & Attributes for Success

• High ethical standards and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Confidence in engaging with and influencing senior leaders and board members.
• Flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment—comfortable working independently and in collaboration with others.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication with a proactive communication style.
• Commitment to customer service and stakeholder experience.
• Belief in Achievement First’s mission and educational model.

Travel Expectations

This is a hybrid role with significant, regular travel across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to attend and support board meetings and board-related functions. The person in this role is expected to be onsite at least three days per week, which may include time in the Network Support office, at schools, and at in-person board meetings. Evening meetings and occasional overnight travel should be expected as part of the role.

Compensation
Achievement First sets salaries through a lens of equity, and based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role. The salary for this role is $150,331.20. In order to uphold our commitment to equity, Achievement First does not negotiate pay. Achievement First offers to all regular, full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid Family Leave.