POSITION TITLE: Manager, Board Relations
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Executive Office
REPORTS TO: Chief of Staff
STATUS:Full Time, Exempt
LOCATION: Washington, D.C.
ABOUT OCEAN CONSERVANCY
Ocean Conservancy works to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.
POSITION SUMMARY
Ocean Conservancy seeks an optimistic, solutions-oriented relationship-builder with impressive project management and communication skills. The Manager, Board Relations is a key position within the Executive Office and plays an important role in overseeing the day-to-day and overall operations of the Board of Directors. In conjunction with the Executive Office of the CEO, senior development team members, this position helps create and execute Ocean Conservancy’s strategic vision for Board optimization and growth. This position will play a crucial role in the project management, administration and implementation of the institution’s board and leadership-level priorities.
The ideal candidate brings a high level of emotional intelligence, the ability to build and maintain relationships across internal staff departments and with Board members, and the finesse to ensure key objectives are met. They are adept at problem solving and flexibly adapt to changing contexts.
This position reports to the Chief of Staff and partners closely with the Director of Executive Communications and Special Assistant to the CEO. As a member of the Executive Team, the Manager, Board Relations plays a crucial role in connecting workstreams internally and with the Board. The position is based in Washington, D.C. with travel throughout the year for West Coast Board and staff meetings, as well as travel to other locations dependent on Board-related activities including meetings, retreats and other events, as well as preparatory site visits.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Board Activities
- In partnership with the Executive Office, manages planning and all logistics for in-person/virtual Board meetings and related dinners and events, including retreats.
- Travels to and staff all in-person Board meetings, events and excursions, including identifying potential venues, interviewing travel companies, arranging agendas and itineraries.
- Project-manages the board book in advance of each board meeting, in partnership with the Special Assistant to the CEO.
- Staffs and manages all board committees (Executive, Governance, Development, Finance, Ad Hoc, Audit), including developing agendas, recording minutes, tracking key deliverables, etc.
- Board Communications
- Updates, manages and helps deploy annual board communications strategy, incorporating key requirements and messaging related to governance, development and program efforts.
- Partners with the Director of Executive Communications and other team members to identify and activate opportunities for Board members to connect with our conservation mission.
- Drafts communications for the Board on behalf of the CEO and the Executive Office.
- Board Relationships and Development
- Supports effective executive-portfolio management by tracking and recording interactions between board members and executive team leaders, including CEO.
- Collaborates with the Executive Office and the senior leaders to cultivate strong individual relationships with Board members and their staffs.
- Builds relationships and communicates directly with the Board.
- Board Governance
- Manages all Board governance work.
- Ensures effective board recruitment: Project-manages the established recruitment process, research candidates and delegates the scheduling of calls and meetings to the Development Assistant.
- Refreshes and support new-director onboarding and orientation, including scheduling, developing agenda and materials, while coordinating with staff and Board leadership.
- Manages the transition of directors to emeritus status, including tracking terms and end dates, executing the exit process, honoring retiring directors.
- Ensures adherence and necessary updates to the Board By-Laws.
Staff Support
- Supports the Chief of Staff in managing the Board budget.
- Supports the Executive Office with other duties as assigned.
- Participates in and prepares agendas for monthly Board Update meetings.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ QUALIFICATIONS/ EXPERIENCE
- Minimum five years of project management experience, with executive/board-level management preferred.
- Strong process/time management and organizational skills.
- Asana experience preferred.
- Strong written communication skills, including capacity to communicate on behalf of senior executives.
- Superior attention to detail, including strong copy-editing skills.
- Strong computer skills, including ability to explore and launch new online platforms.
- Ability to travel domestically and work flexible hours (i.e., occasional evenings and weekends).
- Experience with special events planning.
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
- High level of initiative as well as the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Highly collaborative with an appreciation for the benefit of a multi-disciplinary team approach.
- Solutions-oriented optimist.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent years of work experience is acceptable.
COMPENSATION
Ocean Conservancy is committed to equity in its pay practices and posts expected salary ranges for each of its positions. Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s specialty skills, years of experience, location, and unique background. The expected salary range is $72,035 to $105,878. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with potential candidates whose salary requirements may be outside of the expected range.
TO APPLY
If you think you’d be a great fit for the job and are interested in joining Ocean Conservancy’s team, please apply here. Please include a resume and cover letter as one file on your application. Cover letters should explain why you are a good fit for the role.
HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT
Ocean Conservancy embraces a hybrid work environment, which allows our staff the flexibility to work virtually and in-person while building strong connections across the institution.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Ocean Conservancy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
We encourage applicants who have a diverse level and range of relevant skills and experiences to apply. A 100% match is not required. We want to support employees’ career growth and in return, our employees help Ocean Conservancy grow into a stronger, more inclusive institution.
