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 is a pivotal leadership role responsible for overseeing the governance operations for the IDSA and the IDSA Foundation. The Director of Governance will work closely with senior leaders and key stakeholders to establish frameworks that align with the organization’s strategic objectives, mitigate risks, and promote high ethical standards. This position ensures the effective functioning of the Board of Directors, committees, and other governance entities for both IDSA and the IDSA Foundation.

The Director of Governance provides strategic and operational leadership to align governance practices with the organizations’ mission, vision, and values, fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in decision-making processes.

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

Characteristic Essential Responsibilities

Infrastructure and Compliance:

• Develop, implement, and ensure progressive governance frameworks including practices and processes.
• Lead the creation, periodic review and implementation of governance-related policies, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Provide recommendations to leadership for improvements.
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Board of Directors and governance entities on policy interpretation. Monitor and advise on adherence to bylaws, policies, and best practices including bylaws, charters, and conflict of interest policies.

Board and Committee Support:

• Direct and oversee the execution of meetings and events (including agenda setting, materials preparation, and follow-up actions) for the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Leadership Development Committee and volunteer leadership.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of Board and committee onboarding, training, and ongoing engagement.
• Facilitate governance evaluations to assess effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

Strategic Guidance and Communication:

• Provide strategic counsel to the leadership team on governance-related matters.
• Serve as an advisor for governance bodies and staff liaisons, promoting effectiveness and collaboration.
• Ensure timely and high-quality reports, presentations, and materials to support governance functions.

Leadership and Team Management:

• Supervise governance staff, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
• Partner with staff to align governance activities with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on governance-related inquiries and concerns. Foster a culture of transparency, integrity, and accountability across the organization.
• Leads, coaches, and develops a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Outlines clear accountability and success measures for managing critical projects and programs
• Plans and manages team capacity effectively.
• Models a coaching style for feedback and learning to support staff in contributing at highest levels.
• 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: Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• 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 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: (Such as certifications, industry-specific experience and experience working with certain equipment)

• 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 20% of the time
• IDWeek  
• Board meetings, annual Leadership Summit; Leadership Development or other volunteer leadership meetings as needed
• Annual Staff Retreat – typically in June
• End of Year Staff Gathering/Celebration – December
• Occasional onsite meetings

Physical Demands

• This position requires sitting and/or standing at a desk, 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.