Director, Board Operations

The National Restaurant Association, one of the most influential business associations, has tremendous opportunity for a proven, highly collaborative, and client-service focused Director of Board Operations, to lead compliance, governance and communication initiatives for our Board of Directors and Educational Foundation Board of Trustees.

As Director of Board Operations, you will be responsible for leading the strategic vision and best practices for exemplary corporate governance across the Association and Foundation, and be a trusted advisor to the executive team, board members, and external stakeholders. The position includes directing the Office of Board Support team, in organizing board meetings, communications and reporting, and monitoring and prioritizing board operations organizational initiatives.

Ideal candidates bring minimum ten years successfully working with large boards of directors within Association or non-profit governance, and extensive knowledge of corporate bylaws and policies. Position requires a highly confident, effective, and engaging communicator, with proven experience partnering at the most senior, high profile leadership levels.

We are looking for an influential and inspiring leader, with strong business acumen, sound judgment and decision-making abilities. You will thrive in our environment if you're known for your unflappable confidence and optimism under pressure and commitment to excellence in everything you do.

Position operates out of our DC office, with a required three days onsite, Monday - Wednesday with flexibility to work remote on Thursday and Friday. Travel for board meetings is required multiple times per year.

The work you will do as Director, Board Operations, will be integral to our mission to be an indispensable resource and champion to the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

We are proud to offer our team members comprehensive benefits, designed to support their financial, professional, and personal well-being. In addition to outstanding healthcare coverage (medical, dental and vision), competitive salaries, generous vacation and leave time, we offer a matching 401(k) plan, a unique collection of corporate discounts and memberships, as well as programs to support career and skills development, learning and tuition assistance, and so much more.

Responsibilities

• Primary responsibility for all Board Support actions and strategies.
• Execute the President & CEO's vision for Board relations.
• Develop and manage the compliance and governance processes for exemplary corporate governance across the Association and Foundation, in adherence with the organizations' bylaws.
• Consistently benchmarks Association and Foundation governance guidelines, practices, and policies with those of like organizations.
• Manage Board Operations budget for all Association and Foundation board activities - accountable for management of a sizeable annual budget and/or operational effectiveness.
• Manage Office of Board Support staff and maintain oversight of all communications and support to Board members.
• Conduct research, analyze trends, and track best practices in complex association governance issues (e.g., policies, positions) to determine potential impact and to inform decision-making and/or recommendations to staff and/or Board members.
• Responsible for the creation of Board materials, outlining proper sequencing of Board actions and coordinates overall collaborations between Board members and Association President & CEO/ Foundation Executive Vice President.
• Develop strategy for coordinated organizational communications to and with the Boards.
• Facilitate two-way communications with Board members and seeks opportunities to improve communications, operations, and support systems.
• Ensure the process flow and prioritization of information delivered for Board review and consideration at and between Board meetings.
• Oversee management of minutes, ensuring proper approval, circulation, and filing.
• Manage and oversees records of Board and Board committee actions, and logistical support necessary to ensure effective and efficient Board meetings and events.
• Develop Board, Governance and Executive Committee materials, including coordinating with Board candidates.
• Establish the vendor selection process and negotiate contracts.
• Monitor board terms and dates, with the input and assistant of the Manager, Corporate Governance.
• Serves as the staff liaison to assigned governance committees, to include providing orientation; facilitating completion of the Committee's responsibilities through the development of operating guidelines, manuals, meeting agendas, background materials, correspondence, and reports; and providing professional support and consultation.
• Analyzes benchmarking and best practices studies and make recommendations.
• In conjunction with Corporate Secretary, prepare, organize, and maintain all corporate governance documents (i.e. bylaws, resolutions, policies, etc.).
• Understand and monitor ongoing compliance with Bylaws and state governance requirements.
• Work closely with executive management to prepare high-level board reporting and communications.
• Work with various departments (Executive Office, Government Relations, Foundation, Information Technology, Marketing) on reporting and required deliverables needed from the board.
• Oversee board recruitment efforts, preparations for the Annual Membership Meeting and election process, as well as nominations process and orientation program.
• Facilitate director background checks for state regulatory departments.
• Identify and implement ongoing process improvement strategies (e.g., technology, best practices) to maximize efficiency and improve quality outcomes.
• Work on special projects and other duties as required helping to promote department's success.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and minimum 10 years of board management and/or governance experience, within Association or non-profit governance.
• Proven experience with corporate bylaws and other governance policies.
• Exceptional understanding of governance best practices.
• Considerable people management skills; capable of acting as leader, advisor, mentor, and coach.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills; ability to interact and communicate effectively with volunteer leaders, C-Suite, and Director-level staff, and external individuals (e.g., vendors, related professional organizations).
• Intellectual horsepower, emotional intelligence, and curiosity.
• Significant business and stakeholder relationship-building experience
• Proven project management skills and ability to lead multiple, complex, and highly visible projects forward effectively.
• Proficiency across Microsoft Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel. Ability to learn other computer software programs and enter and maintain accurate data/information.
• Previous experience leveraging BoardEffect platform a plus but not required.
• Highly effective organizational, time-management, priority-setting and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional ability to work well under pressure, within fast-paced and fluid environment.
• Exceptional written and presentation skills.
• Demonstrative abilities in collaborative team building and consensus.
• Strong strategic vision in areas of business.
• Possess strong work ethic and high degree of integrity; shows discretion and protects confidential information.
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills
• Responsiveness to change and lead as a change agent; highly adaptable and resilient.
• Ability to travel multiple times a year for extended periods, between 4 to 7 days, depending on location from DC.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The National Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association Solutions, LLC, and The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (together, "Company") is committed to equal employment opportunity, and it is Company's policy to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

It is our policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status and disability, or other legally protected status, and we will ensure that all employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.