DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Director, Board Operations

SALARY: $118,000 – $130,000

FLSA: Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Operations

LOCATION: Washington, D.C

REPORTS TO: Chief Operating Officer

NUMBER OF DIRECT/INDIRECT REPORTS: 1

LAST REVISED: December 2025

POSITION SUMMARY

As Director of Board Operations, you will be responsible for leading the strategic vision and best practices for exemplary corporate governance across the Organization, and be a trusted advisor to the executive team, board members, and external stakeholders. Serving as the primary project manager and coordination lead for all Board of Directors meetings, governance processes, and major organization-wide operational initiatives, this position ensures that complex, high-visibility efforts run smoothly, efficiently, and with strong alignment across departments.

The Ideal candidate will bring a minimum of 10 years of successful experience working with large boards and extensive knowledge of corporate bylaws and policies. This position requires a highly confident, effective, and engaging communicator with proven experience partnering at the most senior, high profile leadership levels. The role emphasizes structured and proactive planning, stellar attention to detail, systems thinking, forward momentum, and organizational execution.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Board Governance & Meeting Management:

• Serves as the primary owner and is responsible for all board and committee meeting cycles, including annual calendars, timelines, agendas, materials, logistics oversight, and post-meeting follow-through.
• Is the lead on all board support actions and strategies and executes the President & CEOs vision for Board Relations, with the help of the Executive Assistant.
• Manages and oversees records of Board and Board committee actions, and logistical support necessary to ensure effective and efficient Board meetings and events, with the help of the Executive Assistant.
• Manages governance workflows and ensures all documentation (bylaws, resolutions, minutes, terms, committee assignments) is accurate, current, and appropriately archived.
• Oversees accurate minutes and summaries for board, committee, and preparatory governance meetings.
• Maintains the BoardEffect portal, ensuring timely publication of board books, forms, and core governance documents.
• Leads annual board compliance cycles, including forms and disclosure management.
• Monitors and evaluates best practices pertaining to complex organizational governance issues, including policies and positions, to assess their potential impact and inform decision making and/or recommendations to the President, staff, and Board members. The approach is characterized by its insightful examination and a commitment to identifying innovative methods for enhancing processes and procedures
• Oversees the logistical processes of board member recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, roster maintenance, and skills matrix updates.
• Manages governance matters for entities affiliated with or related to Defenders of Wildlife, as directed.
• Responsible for the creation of Board materials, outlining proper sequencing of Board actions, and coordinating overall collaborations between Board members and the President & CEO. With the help of the Executive Assistant.

Org-Wide Project Management & Operational Leadership

• Leads, coordinates, and tracks cross-departmental operational projects, ensuring project clarity, alignment, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Develops, contributes, and is accountable for operational project plans, managing workflows, assigning responsibilities, and communicating plans and updates to leadership and staff.
• Works closely with the COO on prioritization, operational planning, and organizational follow-through.
• Coordinates work with outside vendors, contractors, and consultants as needed.
• Prepare RFPs for new initiatives as well as review new agreements and contracts.

Internal Events & Organizational Engagement

• In partnership with the Executive Assistant, manages events such as staff retreats, manager retreats, trainings, and all-staff meetings, ensuring clear planning, timelines, and successful execution.
• Partners with the Executive Assistant and Operations staff, helps manage hospitality, on-site coordination, and staff engagement components.

Operations Policy, Process & Systems Improvement

• Identifies inefficiencies or gaps in governance and operations workflows and recommends improvements.
• Maintains, develops, drafts, updates, and refines documentation and policy for recurring governance as it relates to operations, ensuring continuity and institutional stability.

Administrative & Executive Office Coordination

• Supports high-level internal meetings (Executive Team, Leadership Team, All-Staff) with planning, coordination, note-taking, and follow-up tracking.
• Manage and monitor the Presidents Office and Board of Directors annual budgets to ensure accurate expenditure of funds.
• Oversees budget to ensure successful delivery of projects and events.

Customer Service & Stakeholder Relationships

• Provides timely, professional communication with board members, senior leaders, and internal teams.
• Fosters collaborative, productive relationships across the organization to support governance and project success.

Anticipation, Planning & Strategic Coordination

• Identifies and communicates risks early, helping leadership address potential issues before they arise.
• Ensures the Presidents Office and COO are fully prepared for all governance cycles and operational milestones
  • Some travel is required for this position.
  • Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:Bachelors (B.A./B.S.) degree or equivalent

Experience:10 years of relevant experience

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders

https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities