Director, Governance

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is seeking a Director of Governance. IDSA is a community of over 13,000 physicians, scientists and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Our mission is to improve the health of individuals, communities, and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases.

We are an innovative and dynamic professional association committed to the principles of inclusion, diversity, access, and equity. Our team embodies the following core values: 

Member-Centric, Excellence, Respect, Innovation, Teamwork and Trust

The Society is a great place to work! IDSA has a highly competitive total compensation package, offers flexible work, telework arrangements, and our organizational culture is highly rated by staff.  Our new office is located two blocks from the metro and has a free gym onsite.

The Director of Governance provides strategic leadership for governance across IDSA and the IDSA Foundation. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this role partners with volunteer leaders, Boards of Directors, committees, and senior staff to advance effective governance, strengthen board and leadership effectiveness, oversee nominations and elections, ensure compliance with governance policies and bylaws, and lead governance initiatives that support the mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability of the organization.

The ideal candidate is a progressive, innovative thinker with strong project and program management skills.

Characteristic Essential Responsibilities

Board and Volunteer Operations:

• Manages development of agendas, board materials, resolutions, and minutes.
• Ensures effective and efficient governance operations across both organizations.
• Oversees governance meeting and event schedules, supports and facilitates processes related to planning and implementing volunteer group activities.
• Ensures tracking of action items and governance decisions to ensure timely follow-through.
• Ensures the creation and maintenance of Board and committee onboarding, training, and ongoing engagement materials.
• Facilitates governance and board effectiveness evaluations and identifies opportunities for improvement. Fosters a culture of transparency, integrity, informed decision-making and accountability.
• Develops governance communications, reports, presentations, and educational resources.
• Fosters strong relationships with volunteer leaders, board members, and senior staff.

Governance and Volunteer Strategy:

• Develops and ensures the implementation of progressive governance frameworks, including practices and processes. Monitors and recommends best practices to the CEO, senior staff and volunteer leaders.
• Supports volunteer leadership pipeline efforts and oversees nomination and elections processes.
• Oversees onboarding and development efforts for board and volunteer leaders.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Leads the creation, periodic review and implementation of governance and volunteer-related structures, policies and practices, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Provides recommendations to leadership for improvements. Monitors and facilitates adherence to policies, and best practices including bylaws, charters, and conflict of interest disclosure and review process.
• Ensures timely and high-quality records, reports, presentations, and materials to support governance functions.
• Ensures clear accountability and success measures for managing critical projects and programs.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Advanced degree is a plus; relevant experience can be submitted.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in nonprofit governance, board relations, or a related area, preferably within a membership organization.

Competencies:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit governance principles, practices, and legal requirements.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to function as a key member of a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to adapt leadership style and utilize a diverse approach to cultivate an inclusive learning environment.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Engage collaboratively and effectively with all stakeholders including volunteer leaders, all staff levels and consultants; strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and model change.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency in governance management software and similar tools.
• Commitment to the mission and values of IDSA.
• High level of integrity, with a commitment to transparency and ethical conduct.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of nonprofit governance trends and compliance requirements.

Additional Qualifications:

• Experience in the nonprofit sector a plus.
• Certifications in governance, such as a Chartered Governance Professional (CGP) or similar designation a plus

Travel Requirements:

Must be able to travel up to 10% of the time to the following onsite events/meetings:  

• • IDWeek
  • Annual Staff Retreat
  • End of Year Staff Gathering/Celebration
  • Board Meetings
  • Annual Leadership Summit
  • Other leadership or onsite meetings as needed

Physical Demands:

• This position requires sitting and/or standing at a desk, occasional prolonged sitting and bending and lifting during travel, as well as extensive sitting, standing, walking, and lifting during IDWeek.
• This role also requires access to stable internet, and the ability to spend several hours on the computer.

EEO Statement: 

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, socioeconomic status, marital or veteran status. We also welcome those of all abilities and make reasonable accommodations to support successful outcomes for our team members.