Director, Board Management

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 director, Board Management and Law Department Operations, reports to the vice president, general counsel, and secretary. The director, Board Management and Law Department Operations provides management and leadership in daily operations of the Law department, including supervising the senior Board management specialist, Board relations specialist, and executive and Board assistant in the department. The director’s role is central to ensuring the Foundation has the processes in place to support best practices in governance, including having responsibility for the preparation, creation, production, and distribution of resolutions, notices, and the meeting materials for all meetings of the Board of Trustees and most Board committees. The director also oversees scheduling of Board and committee meetings and certain Foundation regulatory compliance activities.

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the director, Board Management and Law Department Operations is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Law Operations

• Supervise three staff in the department (senior Board management specialist, Board relations specialist, and executive and Board assistant) to ensure efficient operations.
• Maintain two tickler systems: (1) for the Law department (includes activities such as ensuring that staff is notified on a regular basis of certain procedures/policies); and (2) for the Accounting Office and other departments (includes activities to ensure regulatory documents are completed and filed in a timely manner).
• Miscellaneous duties as required, such as maintaining RWJF corporate papers (certificates of incorporation, bylaws, and Internal Revenue Service rulings) and preparing and providing legal orientation materials to all new staff.

Board Relations

• Perform and/or supervise all Board-related work beginning with scheduling Board and committee meetings, to drafting/preparing/proofreading documents (emails, memos, Board book documents, resolutions) for all meetings (including new Trustee orientations), to drafting minutes for the meetings, to finalizing the minutes for the corporate records. This work also includes updating PIMS and other indices to keep Foundation records up to date regarding Board approvals and actions at meetings.
• Primary contact for Board members concerning Board and committee matters.
• Serve as BoardEffect portal administrator, making sure all Board and committee meeting materials, Foundation policies and practices, and Trustee information is up to date on the portal, as well as on the Foundation’s web page, The Pulse, and Matching Gift portal.
• Primary contact for staff with questions concerning key grantmaking deadlines for Board items and past Board activities/resolutions.

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Experience working in an inclusive environment working as part of a multidisciplinary team and working effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment through feedback, where people learn, develop, and thrive.
• People management skills, including experience in employee development, performance management, supervising, mentoring, and team-building; able to coalesce a team around a strategic vision.
• Strong project planning, organization, and time management abilities. Can 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.
• Interpersonal skills with experience providing complex administrative support with diplomacy and a good sense of humor. Ability to interact with individuals at all levels.
• Strong ability to anticipate issues and needs.
• Strong proofreading and editing skills.
• Adept writing skills with the ability to easily, efficiently, and effectively write correspondence and memos on behalf of the vice president, general counsel, and secretary.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), including proofreading and editing skills.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills with proactive attention to detail.
• Able to represent office in professional manner.
• Able to stay calm during busy times, work within deadlines, and positively manage changing priorities.
• Intellectual curiosity and ability to apply learnings to work.
• Good judgment and self-awareness. Make decisions and justify recommendations, being responsive and clear.
• Maintain a high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Have a talent for providing outstanding customer service.
• Able to work independently as well as in a team-based, highly collaborative environment.
• Able to travel as needed for Board-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 seven (7) years related experience.
• Preferred: Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be considered with particular interest for the role: 
  • Five years of Board management experience, two or more years of work in a legal environment, and four or more years of supervisory experience.
  • 10 years of Board management experience, seven or more years of work in a legal environment, and seven or more years of supervisory experience.

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 $137,900. Candidates who the Foundation determines have directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements may be provided a higher starting salary of up to $151,690. 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.