Specialist, Board Operations and Relations

Alzheimer's Association®; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 71,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) retirement plan

Generous Paid Time Off

Job summary

Alzheimer's Association® is seeking a Specialist, Board Operations and Relations, to manage governance operations and board communications. This role requires strong project management and excellent communication skills to support effective board engagement.

With a focus on assisting the Board of Directors, the ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and 4–6 years of relevant experience in nonprofit administration or governance operations.

A comprehensive benefits package and a salary range between $71,000-$84,000 are offered for this full-time position based in Chicago, IL.

Qualifications

• 4–6 years experience in board operations or similar fields.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Demonstrated experience developing materials for high-level stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage governance operations and board communications.
• Support effective execution of board and committee work.
• Develop and refine board-facing materials and communications.

Skills

Project management

Written communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office Suite proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Specialist, Board Operations and Relations, based in the Office of the President and CEO, manages defined governance operations, board communications, and board engagement workstreams for the Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors and affiliated organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Board of Directors. Working closely with the Senior Director, Board Operations and Relations, the role is responsible for managing recurring board governance processes, developing and refining board-facing materials and communications, evaluating process needs, recommending solutions, and supporting the effective execution of board and committee work across the Board, Executive Management Team, staff committee liaisons, and cross-functional partners.

The role requires sound judgment, discretion, project management, and strong written communication skills to ensure governance processes, board-facing materials, and board communications are accurate, timely, polished, and appropriately framed for a governing board audience. The Specialist exercises independent judgment in managing assigned workstreams, identifying and resolving routine governance and board operations issues, and escalating novel, sensitive, or higher-risk matters as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, public administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4–6 years of experience in board operations, governance operations, executive office operations, nonprofit administration, project management, executive communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing, drafting, editing, or refining materials and communications for senior executives, board members, volunteer leaders, or other high-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, manage sensitive and confidential information, identify issues, recommend solutions, and elevate appropriately.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines, stakeholders, deliverables, and follow‑up items simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and with appropriate discretion to internal and external audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, consistency, and follow‑through.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, anticipate needs, evaluate options, recommend approaches, and manage work with limited day‑to‑day direction.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective working relationships with senior leaders, board members, volunteer leaders, staff committee liaisons, cross‑functional teams, and external partners.
• Demonstrated professionalism and discretion appropriate for work within the Office of the President and CEO.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn and manage technology platforms used in board operations and governance processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting a nonprofit Board of Directors, board committee structure, executive leadership team, or senior volunteer leadership group.
• Understanding of nonprofit governance, board operations, volunteer leadership, or governance‑related processes.
• Experience with board portals, such as Boardvantage.
• Experience developing, editing, or managing board, executive, governance, or committee materials.
• Experience with survey software, such as Alchemer or SurveyMonkey.
• Experience with expense management software, such as Workday.
• Experience with or willingness to become proficient in Association‑approved artificial intelligence tools, such as Claude, to support board operations, workflow management, and materials development.
• Strong team orientation, curiosity, customer‑service mindset, and ability to identify needs proactively.

Physical And Practical Requirements

• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional evening, early morning, or weekend availability.
• Ability to travel at least three times per year for Board of Directors meetings and related board events.
• Position location: Alzheimer’s Association Home Office, Chicago, IL.

Position

Specialist, Board Operations and Relations

Department

Office of the President and CEO

Full Time

37.5 hours

Position Grade and Compensation

Grade 507 Exempt; The Alzheimer’s Association’s good faith expectation for the salary range for this role is between $71,000.00 - $84,000.00

Reports to

Senior Director, Board Operations and Relations

Benefits

Employees working 24 hours/week or more are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, flex accounts, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, long‑term care insurance, tuition reimbursement, generous Paid Time Off, 12 annual holidays and Paid Family Leave, as well as an annual Cultural & Heritage Day and Volunteer Day of their choosing. They are also eligible for our gold standard 401(k) retirement plan. Full‑time employees (37.5 hours/week), will enjoy all of the above plus an annual School Visitation Day and an Elder Care Facility Day of their choosing.