Director, Board and Legal Operations

Ford Foundation • New York, NY

22d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Ford Foundation seeks an operationally rigorous leader to serve as the Director, Board & Legal Operations. This is a pivotal leadership position designed to ensure the seamless execution of the Foundation’s governance and legal functions. Reporting directly to the Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary (VP, CLO) the Director serves as a strategic partner in managing the complex ecosystem of the Board of Trustees, the Office of Legal Services (OLS), and the Grants Compliance Unit (GCU). The Director acts as a primary institutional connector, interfacing with executive leaders, staff and departments to synchronize the activities of the Board with the day-to-day legal and compliance workflows of the Foundation. The ideal candidate is a highly functioning, self-managed professional who combines "big picture" thinking with a deep appreciation for detail. They will excel at leading through influence, building trust across diverse populations, and embodying the Foundation’s values of accountability and urgency.

Requirements

• BA/BS with 8+ years of experience in legal operations, board governance, or a similar executive-level operational role in a complex organization.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive information with utmost care and discretion.
• Success leading and developing teams, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture.
• Ability to understand the big picture and align departmental priorities with day-to-day systems.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and analytical skills; ability to anticipate challenges, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills; ability to communicate with clarity, diplomacy, and discretion across diverse audiences.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, including developing and monitoring departmental budgets.
• Experience working with boards of directors or trustees, with a deep understanding of governance processes and protocols.
• Experience working across diverse settings, populations, and teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Slides, Gmail, Calendar), and comfort with digital collaboration tools.
• Adept with technology and the ability to champion its adoption with a team.
• Globally minded, with an appreciation for working across multiple cultures and geographies.
• Commitment to the Ford Foundation’s mission and values.
• All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leveraging AI to improve productivity and efficiency is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach the foundation’s small board support team, overseeing seamless planning and execution of all Board and Committee meetings, in collaboration with the VP, CLO and other counsel.
• Direct the strategic orchestration of board activities (governance calendar, engagements, events) and serve as the primary operational liaison to the VP, CLO.
• Establish and maintain governance standards, systems, and tools to ensure high-quality materials, effective logistics, and professional communication to trustees.
• Partner with the VP, CLO on developing and implementing best practices for governance operations, trustee engagement, and communications.
• Manage trustee-facing systems (communication, expense reimbursement, board portal) for accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen cross-departmental collaboration for the timely preparation of all board briefing documents.
• Manage internal and external follow-up to ensure board directives are operationalized, recorded, and shared with stakeholders.
• Oversee proper recordkeeping and archival of board decisions, communications, and meeting materials.
• Cultivate a culture of exceptional service, ensuring consistent, equitable, and efficient experiences for trustees.
• Lead operational management, including improving systems, processes, and project management tools to enhance workflow efficiency, coordination, and timely, high-quality work.
• Oversee secure and accessible department record keeping.
• Partner with the VP, CLO as a strategic thought partner on department effectiveness, and design and implement planning and performance systems, including annual work plans and priority tracking.
• Schedule and implement intra- and inter-department leadership and all-staff meetings, including setting agendas and tracking action items.
• Lead the team in communicating key department policies, initiatives, and alerts to internal and external stakeholders (Executive Leadership Team, foundation staff, and grantee partners).
• Manage and guide the Department Coordinator in administrative, budget, reporting, and record-keeping responsibilities.
• Partner with People & Culture on staff development, performance feedback, and team-building initiatives.
• Supervise the Department Coordinator, who supports the VP, CLO and other staff counsel with scheduling, travel, and administrative support, ensuring priority alignment and professional communication.
• Provide strategic support to the VP, CLO, ensuring timely preparation for all internal and external meetings, briefings, and presentations.
• Draft, edit, and manage governance, leadership, and cross-departmental materials.
• Facilitate clear communication, follow-up, and accountability on key priorities.

Benefits

• Commitment to creating a culture where everyone feels respected
• A hybrid working model and flexible work arrangement policies offer colleagues the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways and the space to maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Professional development and ample opportunities to build your expertise and expand your network
• Comprehensive benefits package designed for your well-being and work-life needs, including medical, dental, and vision benefits effective on your first day
• Generous time off, including personal, vacation, sick, extended holiday time off, and wellness days
• Generous parental leave policy, including birth, surrogacy, adoptive, foster parents, and resources for backup child and elder care that support our colleagues’ ability to attend to family responsibilities
• Comprehensive retirement benefits options (with employee and employer contributions of up to 13%), allowing you to invest in your financial future with confidence

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director