Director, Governance Corporate Stewardship

Joele Frank • New York, NY

2d

About The Position

Joele Frank is a strategic communications firm that advises clients on corporate communications, investor relations, reputation management, governance, shareholder engagement and sustainability reporting. The Director role is a senior position on the Governance & Corporate Stewardship team, providing strategic guidance to company executives and boards of directors on governance, corporate responsibility, shareholder support and sustainability communications. The role requires corporate governance and sustainability expertise, critical assessment of company strengths and vulnerabilities, and the ability to advise senior corporate leaders.

The Director leads governance communications and advises clients on annual meetings, shareholder engagement, executive compensation and sustainability reporting. The position also includes mentoring junior colleagues, reviewing client deliverables, and contributing to thought leadership, business development and client relationships. The listed annual salary range is $250,000–$330,000. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience in corporate governance, executive compensation, shareholder engagement or related strategic communications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of proxy disclosure, annual meeting and shareholder proposal matters, evolving governance expectations and the regulatory landscape, and institutional investor and proxy advisor perspectives.
• Well-developed critical-thinking skills.
• Exceptional writing skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize multiple projects under intense pressure and time constraints.
• Eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with TCFD, ISSB, SASB, GRI and TNFD reporting frameworks.
• Intellectual curiosity and proactive monitoring of emerging trends, industry developments and best practices.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, demonstrate flexibility, commit to shared goals and deliver results under changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of proxy statements and other governance communications, translating complex compensation, governance and strategic matters into clear investor-facing narratives.
• Advise clients through contested or high-risk annual meeting situations, including shareholder activism, proxy advisor opposition, vote solicitation challenges, supplemental disclosures, and engagement with institutional investors and proxy advisory firms.
• Serve as a senior client advisor on governance and investor relations, anticipate emerging risks, and develop strategies to build shareholder support.
• Prepare annual meeting materials, talking points, investor Q&A, briefing documents and post-engagement follow-up.
• Provide strategic counsel on executive compensation matters, including special and retention awards, performance-based equity programs, incentive plan design, pay-for-performance alignment, and anticipated shareholder and proxy advisor perceptions.
• Mentor and oversee junior team members and provide substantive review of client deliverables.
• Contribute to the firm’s thought leadership, business development and client relationship management efforts.
• Advise on corporate sustainability strategies and reporting aligned with long-term business objectives.
• Support development of corporate sustainability reports, including stakeholder interviews and narrative development, in collaboration with the Design team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed