Senior Manager, Board Relations

What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

Today, we are an alliance of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and a national office that work in communities across the United States to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need. NAMI advocates for all who are affected by mental illness, both the individuals and the people in their lives. We work to address disparities and injustices and to promote dignity and inclusion for all people with mental illness and their families. In addition to being advocates, we educate, we listen, and we lead as evidenced by our public awareness campaigns, the range of programs we provide, and our strong public policy.

We currently have an opening for a Senior Manager, Board Relations. The Senior Manager, Board Relations serves as the primary liaison between NAMI’s Board of Directors and NAMI’s C-Suite. This individual will serve as an organizational “dot connector” and ensure there is both vertical and horizontal alignment between the Board, Board Committees, NAMI’s volunteer Councils, and NAMI’s executive leadership. The NAMI CEO will heavily depend on this individual to represent their interests in engaging the Board and Board Committees. While the Senior Manager will report on a day-to-day basis to the COO, primary coordination of Board strategy, including setting the managing board meeting agendas, will occur with and through the CEO.

The Senior Manager, Board Relations will also provide day-to-day administrative and logistical support to the NAMI Board of Directors and Councils. Responsibilities in support of the Board include, but not limited to, confidential administrative support to the President of the Board, Board Directors, and members of the Board Committees. This involves preparing and maintaining agendas and minutes for Board and Committee meetings, Board retreats, maintaining Board records and governing documents, handling Board communication, assisting with Board elections and with other tasks as assigned. In short, the Senior Manager, Board Relations is NAMI’s “one-stop shop” for all things Board-related.

This full-time position is based out of our Arlington VA office, a minimum of 2 days per week. May work hybrid the additional days.

Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate with the CEO to strategically manage relationships with members of the Board to advance the CEO’s Board engagement and performance strategy.
• Support the CEO in facilitating a strong and productive working relationship between the Board, Board Committees, volunteer Councils, and members of NAMI’s executive team. Collaborate with CEO and executive leadership to prepare CEO reports, updates, and other Board presentations. Works with Board President and CEO to prepare Board meeting agendas and Board packets, managing timelines based on Board policy.
• Track and consider issues arising from discussions in any one group which should be raised with the full Board or another Committee. This includes close follow up on time-sensitive issues.
• Attend all Board and Board Committee meetings. Record written minutes of the meetings and prepare them for review and approval with Executive Committee and Committee Chairs. Keep track of action items and discussions that require follow-up.
• Create and maintain hardcopy and electronic records including Board packets, approved Board and Committee minutes, Board resolutions, Board policies, New Board and Committee Member documents, and annual Board of Directors changes.
• Ensure Board content on the NAMI website and Board portal is current and execute any necessary revisions. Continuously monitor the Board e-mail address and respond appropriately.
• In partnership with NAMI’s Alliance Relations Department, support the Board Policy & Governance Committee and Executive Committee during the annual Board election process, which includes communication with candidates, nominators and managing the electronic voting process. Track and maintain updated record of Board engagement with NAMI state organizations, affiliates, and external partners.
• Provide administrative support including, but not limited to, disseminating information to the Board of Directors, maintaining Board records, overseeing the resolution process and developing the draft Board and Committee calendars.
• Working with NAMI’s Events Department, organize and manage all Board functions, including Board and Committee meetings, Board and Committee trainings and professional development, Board retreats, Board communication to the entire Alliance.
• Coordinate communication and documentation of social and ethics compliance responsibilities across the Committees and Board.
• Maintain the Board’s governing documents: Memorandum of incorporation, By-Laws, Board policies. Maintain record of draft revisions to be approved by the Board. Liase with Legal Advisor to ensure legal compliance with Board President and CEO’s approval.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5-7 years of experience working directly with a CEO and/or Board of Directors, preferably at a larger nonprofit (annual budget of more than $10 million).
• Strong political acumen and relationship management skills.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit governance and Board dynamics.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and experience supporting diverse Boards.
• High level of discretion and ability to manage confidential information.
• Strong organizational and project management skills that reflect an ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks in an energetic environment with multiple priorities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• A self-starter with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Experience with Board management software (BoardEffect, OnBoard, Diligent, or similar platforms)
• Proficiency in using Office 365 applications and Salesforce.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Proven ability to manage budgets effectively
• A deep commitment to NAMI’s mission and values.
• Must be able to travel, including overnight stays and weekends up to 15%
• Must pass background check

NAMI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. NAMI prohibits discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information or any other legally protected group status. We also provide reasonable accommodation for candidates with disability.