Senior Director, Governance and Leadership

About the role

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is seeking a Senior Director, Governance and Leadership to shape and strengthen its governance infrastructure and develop a diverse pipeline of lay leaders. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this senior strategic role partners with the Board Chair, Governance Chair, Leadership Chair and Community Leadership Council Chair, and contributes to the staff leadership working group for strategic planning.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Governing Board, supporting the Board Chair and managing board governance functions.
• Design and lead the new Governance Committee, establishing its structure, agenda and operational cadence.
• Oversee board evaluation, bylaws review, and revisions to ensure compliance and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Develop and implement best‑practice governance systems for the Board, Community Leadership Council and standing committees.
• Lead the Nominations Committee processes for both the Board and CLC, handling timelines, criteria, outreach and onboarding.
• Clarify committee portfolios, role expectations and governance responsibilities to foster effective lay‑professional partnerships.
• Direct a team of three to four staff members, providing leadership and development.
• Participate in the Leadership Strategy Committee/JLL Task Force to align leadership development with Federation goals.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in nonprofit governance, board relations, or leadership development at a senior level.
• Proven ability to build trust‑based partnerships between volunteer and professional staff.
• Strong strategic thinking and change‑management skills.
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities with senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams and leading cross‑functional initiatives.

Required skills