Senior Specialist, AONL Governance & Board Relations

American Hospital Association•Chicago, IL

2d•$92,000 - $138,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their communities. The AHA offers a flexible hybrid work schedule of three days in the office and two days working remotely. This role serves as the primary staff lead and subject matter specialist for governance operations, board administration, nominations, elections, and bylaws management for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) and the AONL Foundation. Reporting to the COO and working independently and in partnership with executive and volunteer leadership, this position manages the planning and execution of Board operations while developing and enhancing governance processes, policies, and best practices. It provides guidance on governance matters, supports Board and leadership succession, and ensures governance activities align with organizational priorities and promote effective, high-performing Boards.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Business administration, communications, public administration, nonprofit management, healthcare administration or related field Required
5+ years Progressively responsible experience in governance, board administration, nonprofit or association management, executive leadership support, or a related field Required
Experience serving as the primary staff liaison to Boards of Directors, Executive Committees, or governance committees Required
Experience managing board meetings, governance operations, nominations and elections, bylaws, and leadership succession processes Required
Experience leading complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities Required
Experience developing or improving governance processes, policies, or operational procedures Required
Advanced knowledge of nonprofit and association governance principles, board administration, and governance best practices - Required
Strong understanding of board operations, nominations, elections, bylaws, and governance policies - Required
Ability to analyze governance issues, identify opportunities for improvement, and recommend practical solutions - Required
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, manage confidential information, and navigate sensitive governance matters with discretion - Required
Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously - Required
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing Board materials, governance documents, meeting minutes, reports, and presentations - Required
Strong relationship-building and influencing skills with executive leadership, volunteer leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders - Required
Proficiency with governance technology platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and collaboration tools - Required

Responsibilities

Own the governance framework for AONL and the AONL Foundation by managing Board operations while evaluating and enhancing governance processes, policies, and best practices.
Serve as a trusted advisor to executive and volunteer leadership on governance matters, recommending solutions that strengthen Board effectiveness and organizational governance.
Develop and manage the annual governance work plan, ensuring Board and committee activities support strategic priorities.
Monitor governance trends and recommend process improvements that enhance governance effectiveness, compliance, and volunteer engagement.
Lead the planning and execution of Board and Executive Committee meetings, ensuring agendas, materials, minutes, action items, and meeting logistics support informed decision-making and effective governance.
Oversee governance records, Board portals, and official governance documentation, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance.
Develop governance tools, templates, and resources that improve Board operations and consistency across both organizations.
Develop and oversee Board onboarding, orientation, and governance education programs that prepare volunteer leaders for effective service.
Manage Board nominations, elections, and Foundation Board recruitment in partnership with executive and volunteer leadership.
Design and continuously improve leadership selection processes to support a diverse, qualified pipeline of future Board leaders.
Develop governance dashboards, metrics, and reports that support Board decision-making and measure governance effectiveness.
Manage governance-related projects and process improvement initiatives that strengthen organizational performance.
Partner with AONL, Foundation, and AHA leadership to identify governance risks, recommend solutions, and support strategic organizational initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned.