Managing Director of Board Relations and Governance

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 managing all board governance processes and policies that support Achievement First’s seven network support and regional boards, including their individual committees. This role is a key contributor to organizational wide storytelling and is responsible for all of the content that is shared with the Boards throughout the year. This individual will serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO, Chief Strategy Officer, Regional Executive Directors, and the Executive Team, ensuring that both the organization and each region keep their respective boards informed on key organizational and regional priorities and initiatives. This individual is the key liaison between the Board Chairs of each board and the CEO / Regional Executive Director; this individual is responsible for ensuring that the boards remain compliant and have a strong pipeline of potential board members within each region. As Achievement First shifts to a regionalized model, the Managing Director will have a pivotal role in ensuring that there is cohesion across all 7 boards, while still being responsive to the needs and complexities of each of AF’s individual 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
• Collaborate with the CEO,  Regional Executive Directors, 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.
• 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 each Board chair to develop board-specific strategies to ensure each board can successfully operate at a high level now and in the future
• 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 CMO’s 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 other 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
• Responsible for meeting logistics for each board meeting (virtual and in-person); collaborate with regional regional staff to prepare all day-of logistics and other details
• Attend 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; capture 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 the main point of contact, with exceptional customer service, for current and prospective board members; regularly meet with Board Chairs to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities and support them.
• Develop and uphold the board member cultivation process, ensuring that each prospective board member has the right touchpoints and vetting prior to being offered a seat on the board
• Develop and implement an onboarding process to that provides 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
• Ensure each board, including board chairs, has 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.
• 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

• Expertise in managing competing priorities and complex projects.
• Experience with compliance requirements, including reporting and procedural oversight.
• 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.
• Knowledge of board governance practices, policies, and bylaws.
• 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 travel to approximately 40 board meetings per year across New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The person in this role will be expected to be onsite at least two days per week, either in the Network Support office, at schools, or at board meetings.

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. 

Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/