Jobs in Washington, D.C.

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 & CEO’s 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 President’s 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 President’s 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: Bachelor’s (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

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Director, Board Operations

Demonstrated experience in project management, governance, operations, or organizational coordination.
Strong ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects with clear timelines and deliverables.
Excellent planning, prioritization, and organizational skills.
Strong written communication skills, including synthesis, briefings, and high-quality meeting documentation.
Ability to design, refine, and implement policies, processes, and systems.
High discretion and professionalism with confidential or sensitive information.
Has a collaborative approach, with the ability to lead, take ownership, and directly contribute to workflows while delegating components to support staff.
Strong proficiency with technology systems, project management tools, and board portals (e.g., BoardEffect).
Adaptable and able to operate effectively in a dynamic organizational environment.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical Activities Check all that apply	Frequency (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like.	O
Moving oneself in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments, including tight and confined spaces.	N
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.	C
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.	O
Adjusting or moving objects up to 10 pounds in all directions.	O
Communicating with others to exchange information.	C
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.	C
Operating machinery and/or power tools.	N
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.	N
Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.	C

Environmental Conditions Check all that apply	Frequency (N)Never, (O)Occasionally or (C)Constantly
Low temperatures.	O
High temperatures.	O
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.	O
Noisy environments.	O
Hazardous conditions.	N
Poor ventilation.	N
Small and/or enclosed spaces.	N
No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Physical Demands Check only one
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.	X
Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Visit www.defenders.org to apply.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their positions. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Defenders of Wildlife provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, veterans' status, or and any other legally protected class, characteristic or trait per applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please be advised that this position is non union-eligible.

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Director, Board Operations at Defender of Wildlife – Washington, District of Columbia

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