Director of Governance and Leadership

Who We Are:

The Orthodox Union (OU) is the largest Orthodox Jewish organization in the United States. Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for the disabled, localized religious study programs, and international units. The OU maintains a kosher certification service, whose circled U symbol is found on the labels of many kosher commercial and consumer food products.
 

Position Summary:

The Director of Governance & Leadership will lead and execute high-level donor and leadership engagement strategies to enhance the Orthodox Union’s philanthropic impact. This position will oversee the coordination of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors and develop policies and best practices for engaging and retaining the organization’s most significant supporters.

The Director will manage one direct report and serve as the primary liaison for Board members, ensuring a seamless onboarding process, engagement strategy, and governance policy development. This role requires exceptional relationship management, strategic communication, and organizational leadership to cultivate strong, long-term donor and Board relationships that drive OU’s mission forward.
 

Essential Functions:

Board & Executive Committee Coordination

• Oversee the engagement, communication, and governance structure of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
• Partner with the Executive Office to guide Board policy development, ensuring alignment with best governance practices and organizational strategy.
• Manage the intake and onboarding process for new Board members, providing orientation, engagement strategies, and relationship-building opportunities.
• Together with the Board Engagement Director, facilitate Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings and communications, ensuring members are informed, engaged, and connected to OU’s mission.
• Work closely with leadership to maximize the impact and involvement of Board members in fundraising and advocacy efforts.

Programmatic Board & Commission Advisory Liaison

• Partner with the Programmatic divisions and the President’s office on a pipeline of lay leaders to be stewarded toward lay leadership roles on Commissions or programmatic boards.
• Manage the intake and onboarding process, including using active listening skills to interview potential Commission or Board members to understand their interests, skills, and commitment, among other issues.
• Advise programs and divisions on composition, structure, and best practices for running Commission, Board, or council meetings, and for engaging lay leaders in discussions and decision-making processes.
• Develop systems and training to ensure Commission members are active brand ambassadors and connected to the OU’s mission.

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise and mentor one direct report, ensuring effective execution of Board coordination.
• Establish clear goals and performance metrics for stewardship and Board engagement initiatives.
• Foster cross-departmental collaboration, working closely with Institutional Advancement, MarCom, and Programmatic teams to align messaging and engagement strategies.
   

Policy Development & Governance Support

• Serve as a key advisor in shaping Board policies, governance frameworks, and leadership engagement strategies.
• Ensure compliance with governance best practices and facilitate regular policy reviews.
• Work with senior leadership to streamline decision-making processes and enhance Board effectiveness.
   

Reporting & Impact Analysis

• Maintain detailed records of Board engagement, donor touchpoints, and stewardship activities using a CRM system.
• Provide regular reports on donor engagement trends, Board participation, and stewardship success metrics.
• Use data-driven insights to refine engagement strategies and enhance long-term donor retention.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, or Board governance within a nonprofit setting.
• Proven experience managing high-level donor engagement and Board relations.
• Exceptional relationship management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit governance, Board development, and major gift stewardship best practices.
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff, with a focus on professional development.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with Jewish communal and nonprofit organizations is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in donor management and CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or equivalent).
• Willingness to travel as needed for Board meetings, donor events, and leadership engagement opportunities.