Board Relations Specialist

About the Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.  

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.  

About This Opportunity

The Board relations specialist reports to the director, Board Management and Law Department Operations, with a secondary reporting line to the general counsel and Board secretary. The Board relations specialist provides support to the Board of Trustees, serving as a key point of contact for Board activities and a key member of the Board site visit team. The Board relations specialist also supports activities in the Law department including serving as (1) manager of our Conflicts of Interest questionnaires for Trustees and staff; (2) backup to the CyberGrants administrator; and (3) manager of special Board-related and Law department projects as directed by the director, Board Management and Law Department Operations and/or the general counsel and Board secretary.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the Board relations specialist is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Key point of contact and liaison on all Board of Trustees-related activities.
• Exercises a high level of professionalism, maintaining a close and highly responsive relationship with all Trustees and the Chair of the Board.
• Coordinates, manages, and supports all activities related to Board of Trustees meetings.
• Serves as one of the logistics/operations leads on the Board site visit planning team. During a 10-month planning process, works collaboratively with the team as a project manager, planning and organizing the three-day Board site visit from the beginning phase through post-Board site visit activities to include: venue selection; agenda development; catering and refreshments; transportation and accommodations; material preparation; coordination of communication channels with site visit speakers, attendees, vendors, and other parties; contingency planning; and on-site meeting and logistics management.
• Oversees and facilitates all Trustee travel, managing complex travel itineraries, ground transportation, travel expenses, and more.
• On an annual basis, updates and prepares Conflicts of Interest questionnaires for Trustees, officers, staff, and Robert Wood Johnson IV, and prepares a summary to share with the Audit Committee Chair.
• Serves as backup to the CyberGrants administrator by approving certain gifts on the portal as well as monitoring Trustee Matching Gifts that may need attention.
• Schedules appointments and arranges internal and external meetings with outside participants and Foundation staff as needed.
• Performs research, including using PIMS and accessing information as needed through internal systems resources; may research, compile, and prepare confidential and sensitive documents.
• Handles sensitive and confidential materials.
• Accomplishes other duties as required, such as managing special projects as directed, processing invoices; monitoring and tracking projects to ensure timely completion; proofreading and editing correspondence, reports, mailings, and more.; and creating presentations using charts, graphs, and slides within Excel and PowerPoint.

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Experience working in an inclusive environment as part of a multidisciplinary team and working effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience with all aspects of event planning, logistics, and on-site meeting management preferred.
• Strong project planning, organization, and time management skills. The ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and needs simultaneously.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite especially Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, portable devices, and general office equipment. Ability to learn new technology.
• Experience managing complex calendars, including coordination of complex meetings and travel schedules.
• Strong people skills and extensive experience delivering intricate administrative support with diplomacy and a good sense of humor. Capable of building rapport and communicating seamlessly across all organizational levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proofreading and editing, with the ability to easily, efficiently, and effectively write correspondence. Strong decisionmaking and problem-solving skills with proactive attention to detail. Can make decisions and justify recommendations, being responsive and clear.
• Maintains composure and efficiency under pressure, consistently meeting deadlines and adapting to evolving priorities.
• Intellectual curiosity and ability to apply learnings to work.
• Maintains a high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Provides outstanding customer service.
• Able to work independently as well as in a team-based, highly collaborative environment using initiative and sound judgment.
• Able to travel as needed for Board site visits and related events.
• Able to work extended hours, particularly associated with Board-related events.
• Minimum: A combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years of related experience in executive office performing management and administrative tasks supporting multiple staff members. Experience supporting Board of Trustees preferred.
• Preferred: Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be considered with particular interest for the role: 
  • Seven or more years of experience that meets the minimum qualifications and includes three or more years of experience supporting a Board of Trustees.
  • Nine or more years of experience that meets the minimum qualifications and includes six or more years of experience supporting a Board of Trustees.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The incumbent will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. Incumbent will be required to attend meetings, both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. RWJF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position's Assigned Office Location

This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J. office.

Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP) Explained

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations are managed, culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations. Learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

Salary

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $82,400. Candidates who the Foundation determines have directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements may be provided a higher starting salary of up to $90,640. All salary offers are non-negotiable.

Benefits

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Transition Stipend 

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job. 

How to Apply 

• Applicants should submit a resume and required letter of interest by the stated deadline.
• Internal RWJF applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub app in Workday.

Application Deadline 

Monday, October 27, 2025, by 10 a.m. ET.