Senior Associate, Board Relations and Development

External Posting•New York, NY

7d•$53,533 - $90,861

About The Position

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Senior Associate, Board Relations & Executive Support serves as a trusted partner to senior leadership, exercising discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism in engagements with Board members, donors, and external stakeholders. This role is primarily focused on executive and Board support—rather than project management or initiative execution—to enable the CDO to prioritize strategic and fundraising objectives. The Senior Associate brings exceptional organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple time-sensitive priorities while maintaining strict confidentiality. The role builds strong internal relationships and ensures smooth, coordinated workflows across teams that interface with the CDO. This position works closely with the Rainforest Alliance (RA) Board of Directors, Board Committees, and the Executive Office on all Board-related matters, including meeting planning and scheduling, materials preparation, governance compliance, communications, event coordination, and logistics. The role ensures clear, timely communication between the Board and internal stakeholders. Travel is required for Board meetings and organizational events. In addition, the Senior Associate provides high-level administrative and executive support to the CDO, managing day-to-day operations, communications, priorities, and development-related Board processes to ensure the effective functioning of the Development Office.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required.
Minimum of 3 years of experience providing executive-level administrative support, including support to Boards of Directors or senior governance bodies.
Full professional fluency in spoken and written English; professional Spanish strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Strong cross-cultural communication skills and experience working in a global or matrixed organization.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Exceptional organizational, time management, and prioritization skills with strong attention to detail.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting professional correspondence and meeting documentation.
Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.
Professional demeanor with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset.
Willingness and ability to work flexible hours to support executive and Board schedules.

Responsibilities

Board of Directors Administrative Support Coordinate scheduling, logistics, and materials distribution for Board and Committee meetings.
Provide administrative and logistical support for Board and Committee meetings related to development and fundraising.
Prepare meeting minutes, resolutions, and related documentation to ensure transparency and accountability.
Communicate key Board updates and decisions to appropriate internal stakeholders.
Facilitate goal setting and performance assessments for the full Board, Committees, and Board officers, aligned with the Annual Plan.
Maintain accurate, well-organized records of Board materials, resolutions, and governance documentation.
Ensure Board-related digital platforms (e.g., Confluence, SharePoint, LiveBinders, Boardable) are current and effective.
Maintain working knowledge of best practices in Board governance and share relevant insights with the Executive Office.
Serve as a professional point of contact for Board members regarding scheduling, materials, and administrative inquiries.
Provide on-site logistical support for in-person Board meetings.
Executive Support to the Chief Development Officer Manage the CDO’s complex calendar, scheduling internal and external meetings across multiple time zones, and ensuring appropriate preparation.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the CDO, triaging and prioritizing meeting requests, communications, and inquiries.
Draft, edit, and format correspondence, presentations, talking points, and internal communications on behalf of the CDO.
Prepare briefing materials and background documents for meetings with donors, senior leadership, and external partners.
Track action items, deadlines, and follow-ups arising from meetings and ensure timely completion.
Coordinate travel logistics for the CDO, including flights, accommodations, ground transportation, and itineraries.
Prepare and submit expense reports and reimbursements in compliance with RA policies.
Support Salesforce data management, including logging activities, call reports, meeting notes, event attendance, and gift documentation.
Additional Responsibilities Handle sensitive, confidential, and time-sensitive information with the highest level of discretion.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with Board members, senior leadership, donors, and internal stakeholders.
Represent the CDO and Development Office with professionalism, diplomacy, and responsiveness.
Provide surge administrative support during peak periods, including Board cycles, campaign milestones, and reporting deadlines.
Support special projects and ad hoc requests as assigned by the CDO.

Benefits

Be a part of a global organization with a strong mission and a collaborative, respectful, and accountable culture.
Enjoy opportunities for professional growth and career development.
Benefit from remote working flexibility and flexible hybrid working environment.
Receive a competitive salary package.
A favourable timeâoff policy, including annual leave and Resilience Days, to help you recharge and balance life outside of work.
Prioritize your wellbeing. We have numerous ways to promote work-life balance, so you get the chance to take some time off, recharge, and remain at your best. This includes:
Resilience and personal leave days
Employee assistance programs
Wellbeing activities
Sabbatical opportunities.