Board Relations Manager

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston seeks a Board Relations Manager reporting to the Chief Development Officer. The role provides administrative, operational, and strategic support for all board activities, partnering with Trustees and Advisors to strengthen governance and engagement.

You will develop and coordinate board education, prepare board reports and talking points, and serve as a trusted writing partner to the Director, contributing to governance communications and strategic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years’ prior museum or relevant non-profit experience, including volunteer management and/or alumni/ae relations.
• Very strong organizational and calendaring skills.
• Demonstrated experience building and overseeing administrative processes and systems.
• Adept project manager.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives, and to work effectively in multicultural and multigenerational settings.

Responsibilities

• Schedule board meeting events and committee meetings.
• Prepare board- and committee-related materials, including packets and agendas.
• Write minutes of Board and Governance Committee meetings and track assignments.
• Maintain Board Directory and Board Handbook records and filings.
• Serve as the primary resource for by-laws and governance policies.

Skills

Organizational skills

Calendar management

Project management

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Description

Department: Development

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Classification: Exempt, full-time with benefits

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working closely with the Norma Jean Calderwood Director of the Museum, the Board Relations Manager is a key contributor to the Museum's governance function. The Manager provides administrative, operational, and strategic support for all Board-related activities, partnering closely with the Museum's Trustees, Life Trustees, and Board of Advisors to foster meaningful engagement with the Museum's mission, governance, and one another. In consultation with the Director and Board leadership, the Manager develops and coordinates a board education program that equips Trustees and Advisors with the knowledge and perspective needed to lead a 21st century museum effectively. The Manager also serves as a strategic writing partner to the Director, preparing Board reports, presentations, correspondence, talking points, FAQs, and other governance-related communications.

Essential Functions And Primary Responsibilities

Administrative

• Scheduling for all Board meeting events, committee meetings, etc.
• Material preparation: Responsible for all Board- and committee-related materials, including preparing meeting packets, drafting agenda, generating reports, including working with other staff leads (Development, Collections, Buildings and Grounds, etc.) to ensure a high standard and timely materials.
• Minutes/documentation: Write minutes of Board meetings and Governance Committee meetings and prepare reports. Track and communicate committee assignments.
• Board-related materials and recordkeeping: Update and maintain Board Directory and Board Handbook; Board listings; ensure accurate and timely electronic and paper recordkeeping of all Board-related files/materials, etc.
• Serve as the primary resource for questions related to Board by-laws and governance policies.

Board Relations

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with members of the Museum's governing boards, developing an understanding of their interests, expertise, and areas of commitment to the Museum.
• Help develop agenda and program for Board meetings (four Trustee meetings, two Advisor meetings and other special meetings) as part of an overall curriculum for the boards.
• Research local and national trends affecting museums and the cultural sector to inform Board education, identify relevant topics, and research prospective speakers and subject matter experts.
• Help develop and implement communication strategies to ensure Board education and engagement.
• Draft and edit Board reports, presentations, correspondence, talking points, FAQs, and other governance-related communications on behalf of the Director of the Museum.
• Help staff Governance Committee and provide support for Buildings and Grounds, Collections and Conservation, Compensation, and Security committees, and any Board-related task forces, as needed.
• Working closely with leadership from the Development department, help support a robust pipeline of governance prospects that aligns with Museum priorities; help develop and support annual plans for Board and governance prospect engagement; manage governance slate and rotations.
• Develop and execute orientations for new Trustees and Advisors.
• Serve as a liaison with the Board President, Chair of Governance Committee, and Co-Chairs of the Board of Advisors.
• Prepare strategic talking points and briefings for the Board President and other members of the volunteer leadership.
• Track and manage annual Board goals.
• Take on special projects as they arise.

Stewardship

• Support all aspects of the Board Travel Program in partnership with the Chief Development Officer, including working with outside tour operators and the curatorial staff.
• Work closely with the Development department in support of key Board-focused events as needed.
• Actively participate in Museum events, including on evenings and weekends.
• Manage the Board recognition program.
• Conduct special tours of the Museum (Trustee and Advisors), VIP tours, and other special requests.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years’ prior museum or relevant non-profit experience, including volunteer management and/or alumni/ae relations.
• Very strong organizational and calendaring skills.
• Demonstrated experience building and overseeing administrative processes and systems.
• Adept project manager.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives, and to work effectively in multicultural and multigenerational settings.
• Supremely skilled at operating with diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Capacity to articulate key components of the Museum’s collections, programmatic, and capital initiatives.
• Commitment to the Museum’s mission and goals of its Renewing the Promise Strategic Plan.
• Strategic thinker.
• Very proficient with Google Workspace and other productivity software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to juggle multiple initiatives and shift priorities as necessary with positivity.
• Results-driven.
• Commitment to the principles and spirit of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the Museum’s core values.
• Previous museum and/or non-profit experience is desirable.
• Ability to work occasional nights and/or weekends as needed.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.