Head, Board Affairs and Governance

About the Company

As Success Academy scales nationally and sets new standards for excellence in public schooling, we are seeking a dynamic leader to oversee the expansion, restructuring, and effective functioning of its multiple boards. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer and partnering closely with the founder and CEO, the Head of Board Relations will be responsible for building out the network’s central governing board and school boards in New York and Florida – and ensuring these boards work successfully to realize SA’s bold vision for public education.

About the Role

Role Overview

The position will oversee strategy and management of all aspects of board administration, governance facilitation, committee operations, communications, and board member engagement. Serving as the primary strategy liaison and operational bridge between the executive leadership team and the boards, the position is responsible for driving board membership and participation at the highest levels.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished leader, experienced administrator, strong writer, strategic thinker, and accomplished relationship builder – with a deep background in corporate or non-profit board relations. Demonstrating tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality, the Head of Board Relations will build strong and trusted relationships with individual board members. S/he will ensure that board membership is robust – focused on prominent corporate, civic, and philanthropic leaders regionally and nationally – and that board members are well-informed, deeply engaged, and aligned and activated to achieve our aspirations for children.

Key Responsibilities

Board Strategy and Structure

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, Chief Advancement Officer, and board leadership, architecting meeting cadences, committee structures, and reporting frameworks that elevate trustee engagement and drive board effectiveness.

• Shape and align board priorities with the organization's growth strategy, ensuring cohesive direction across current and expansion regions.

Strategic Communications & Relationship Management

• Partner with the governance/nominating committee to manage the board recruitment pipeline, including recruitment, term tracking, succession planning, and annual board self-evaluations.

• Serve as the principal point of contact for all board members on administrative, logistical, and governance matters – fostering engagement and commitment.

• Work closely with the senior leadership team to synthesize complex organizational data, financials, and enterprise updates into briefings and reports for the boards.

• Coordinate with the CEO to manage sensitive issues, ensuring transparency and alignment.

• Draft executive correspondence, announcements, and regular updates to the boards.

Meeting Operations & Logistics

• Plan, schedule, and execute all board meetings, committee meetings, and special retreats.

• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and organize strategic meeting agendas.

• Oversee the timely preparation and distribution of board books, presentations, and background materials

• Manage all event logistics

Governance & Compliance

• Lead board pipeline development in partnership with the Governance and Nominating Committees, driving succession planning, term management, and annual self-evaluations to build a high-performing, future-ready board.

• Partner with legal counsel to safeguard governance integrity, ensuring board activities align with bylaws, school charters, and multi-state regulatory requirements.

• Own the organization's official corporate record-keeping — minutes, resolutions, charters, and conflict-of-interest disclosures — as the authoritative source of governance compliance.

Board Engagement & Participation

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team on governance strategy, board dynamics, and meeting design, providing counsel that shapes how the organization engages its board.

• Develop board communications, presentations, and briefing materials that translate executive priorities into clear, compelling narratives for trustees.

• Monitor and analyze board member participation, committee attendance, and engagement trends to inform governance strategy and decisions on board composition.

• Partner with the Advancement team to advance the board's philanthropic giving strategy and maximize the impact of trustee-driven fundraising.

• Cultivate board members as organizational ambassadors, creating high-visibility opportunities for trustees to champion the mission externally.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or JD preferred.

• Experience: 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in corporate governance, non-profit board relations, executive administration, or legal/compliance environments, working directly with C-suite executives and board members.

Core Competencies

• Change Agent: Strong drive to lead transformational change at high velocity and intensity.

• Exceptional Communication: Superior written, verbal, and presentation skills; ability to communicate with diplomacy and tact.

• Project Management: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple high-stakes timelines, agendas, and deliverables simultaneously.

• Discretion & Judgment: Proven ability to handle confidential, sensitive organizational information with the utmost integrity.

• Technical Proficiency: Experience with Board management software/portals (e.g., BoardEffect, Diligent, OnBoard), CRM databases (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge), and virtual meeting tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams).