Managing Director of Board Relations and Governance

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.

Job Level: Managing Director

Reports To: Chief Strategy Officer

Location: NY, CT or RI

Standard

Work Hours:

9a-6p

Full‑Time/Part‑Time: Full‑Time

Salary: $

Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy Officer, your responsibilities will include:

• In collaboration with key senior leaders, develop a multi‑year plan grounded in data to continuously improve the board governance function and ensure strong governance practices.
• Collaborate with the CEO, Regional Leaders, 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.
• Support network leaders in developing and communicating the organizational story arc for the year.
• Develop and uphold a clear vision of excellence for board governance, including developing the board meeting arc of the year, board meeting execution and facilitation, rigorous board member cultivation systems and processes, and board compliance; collaborate closely with Regional Leaders to ensure this vision is maintained across the organization.
• 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 the Network Support Board Chair to develop board‑specific strategies to ensure each board can successfully operate at a high level now and in the future.
• Meet regularly with Regional Leaders to monitor and adjust region‑specific board strategies.
• 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 CMOs and non‑profits to collaborate and ensure Achievement First utilizes the most up‑to‑date board governance strategies and technology.

• 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 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.
• Partner with Regional Leaders to complete board content for each cycle and ensure regional priorities and updates are captured accurately.
• Responsible for meeting logistics and co‑facilitation for the Network Support Board meetings; collaborate with regional leaders to ensure effective logistics and facilitation of regional board meetings.
• Support each board…