Director of Board Governance

Governing Board Management

Partner with Institute leadership on the agenda development of Board and all its committees to align Board decision-making around institutional strategic priorities and Board duties; maintain agendas; track meeting follow-up items; monitor necessary Board approvals; and support and guide other Institute staff who support Board and committee meetings.

Maintain an annual plan for topics requiring review by Board and Board Committees.

Work with senior leadership to identify issues that require Board review, reporting, or action, assuring that there is a smooth process for Board consideration of relevant issues and that Board involvement is timely and well-supported.

Responsible for the preparation and quality of materials that are reviewed by the Boards and their designated committees; work with key members of senior leadership to prepare Board materials that are relevant and accurate, support Board consideration of strategic and governance issues, and have a consistent and useful format and appropriate level of detail.

Consider the perspective of Board members in reviewing materials and anticipate questions that may be raised by Board members.

Review the minutes of all Board and Committee meetings and provide useful feedback and suggested changes.

Organize and oversee Board orientations, plan and execute Board education.

Maintain a strong working knowledge of governance best practices, issues affecting nonprofit organizations, higher education, and the arts, to inform priorities for Board education and training.

Work with the General Counsel on review and revisions to corporate bylaws and other governance policies and documents.

Serve as primary staff person for the CalArts Committee on Trustees (Governance), CalArts Executive Committee, VCFA Executive Committee.

Serve as the assistant secretary to the CalArts Board of Trustees, and the secretary to the Vermont College of Fine Arts Board of Trustees.

Ensure strategic alignment across the CalArts Board of Trustees, VCFA Board of Trustees, and Institute Shared Governance.

Governance Communication

As primary point of contact for Board members on myriad issues; provides timely, appropriate responses to Board members’ questions and concerns, including referral to other organization leaders with appropriate context and follow-up.

Educate, advise, and coach board leadership on Board and committee meetings, preparation of minutes and Board materials, and other matters relating to Board activities and corporate governance.

Maintain close working relationships with Institute leadership(e. g., Fundraising, Communications, Academic Affairs, Admissions, Finance, etc.) to coordinate on Board communication and action items.