Board Liaison, Washington, D.C.

Position Description

About PADF

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger— more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For over 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Board Liaison will play a proactive role in advancing the PADF mission. The Board Liaison collaborates closely with the PADF Board of Trustees, PADF Advisory Group, the Executive Office (XO) on all board related matters to: map out and schedule meetings; request, organize, and prepare materials; ensure Board governance and compliance to policies and processes; provide effective communication, event coordination, and meeting management; and oversee logistical tasks. The Board Liaison plays a crucial role in facilitating collaboration between the organization’s Board and the various departments or teams within the organization. This position acts as a bridge, ensuring that the Board’s decisions, guidance, and initiatives are conveyed to relevant internal stakeholders while also providing the Board with insights, updates, and feedback from PADF leadership. Travel may be required for Board meetings and PADF events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Meeting Management: In collaboration with Director, Engagement and External Relations manage Board meetings, including working with stakeholders to determine agendas, scheduling, driving preparation of required materials, distributing materials, and providing logistical support. Collaborate proactively with relevant parties to ensure all necessary information is prepared and available for Board discussions.
• Information Dissemination: Regularly communicate key updates, strategic initiatives, financial information, and decisions made by the Board to appropriate departments, teams, and stakeholders within the organization. Ensure accurate and timely distribution of relevant materials.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate records of Board meetings, decisions, and actions. Prepare meeting minutes, resolutions, and other relevant documentation as needed to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Policy and Compliance: Keep the Board informed about regulatory changes, industry trends, and potential compliance issues that could impact the organization. Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to ensure that the organization operates within relevant guidelines and regulations under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer and/or Executive Director.
• Relationship Management and Mapping: Build and nurture positive relationships with Board members, executives, and other stakeholders. Serve as a point of contact for Board members seeking information or clarification about organizational matters. Close partnership with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure shared goals are achieved, including information sharing, preparation for meetings and events, ongoing relationship management, and mapping of Board leads and prospects.
• Board Development and Continuing Education: Assist in the onboarding and orientation of new Board members, providing them with necessary background information, context, and resources to quickly integrate into their roles. Maintain working knowledge of latest and best practices in Board affairs and share with Executive Office and Board as relevant.
• Board Assessments: In coordination with Board President and XO, facilitate goal setting and assessments of the full Board collectively, trustees individually, committees, Board officers, and alignment with Strategic Plan under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer and/or Executive Director.
• Communications and Outreach: Draft Board updates on behalf of Executive Director in coordination with relevant colleagues and develop Board outreach materials.
• Confidentiality: Handle sensitive and confidential information with the utmost discretion and professionalism, adhering to ethical and legal standards.

Key Competencies

• Communication Skills – Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential for effectively conveying Board decisions, updates, and feedback to various stakeholders. The ability to distill complex information into clear, concise messages is crucial.
• Project Management – Managing multiple tasks, timelines, and projects concurrently is essential for successfully coordinating Board meetings, disseminating information, and handling various responsibilities under deadline pressures effectively. The Board Liaison must take initiative to anticipate problems and innovate creative solutions and know when to elevate a concern and how to do so appropriately.
• Technical Proficiency and Rapid Learning – Proficient user of Office 365 with a knack for researching, experimenting with, and swiftly mastering new tools, platforms, and technologies as they emerge. Demonstrated ability to quickly become adept at utilizing the BoardEffect platform along with its diverse features, as well as video communication platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex.

Personal Characteristics

• Interpersonal Skills – Strong interpersonal abilities are needed to build and maintain positive relationships with Board members, executives, and colleagues. The Board Liaison must be approachable, adaptable, and skilled in navigating diverse personalities and work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment with patience, poise, and accuracy.
• Attention to Detail – Accurate record-keeping, meeting coordination, and information dissemination require meticulous attention to detail to avoid errors and ensure compliance with protocols.
• High Integrity and Confidentiality – Due to involvement in sensitive discussions and confidential information, maintaining the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion is critical.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, business, management, communications, or a related field.
• Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible experience in a liaison, communications, or similar role, preferably involving interactions with Board members or senior executives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and succinctly.
• Experience with meeting and event planning and understanding of their associated logistics and requirements.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Experience working across teams in a highly collaborative manner, working with across the organization to ensure alignment with Board decisions.
• Creative and conceptual with an ability to “think outside the box”.
• Proficiency in using productivity tools such as Microsoft Office or SharePoint.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and emotional intelligence.
• Understanding of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices related to Board management.
• Exceptional ability to adapt to changing priorities, unforeseen challenges, and evolving expectations.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Working knowledge of Spanish required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field.
• Project management experience.
• Fluency in Spanish preferred.

Salary Range: $79,000 – $95,000.

A candidate’s salary is determined by multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal organizational equity.

More About PADF

PADF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1962. www.padf.org

PADF’s core values. “H-E-A-R-T” = Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.

Diversity. PADF is strong because we are diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. PADF does not discriminate based on ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of cultures, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, and perspectives on the world.

PADF is committed to safeguarding employees and those we serve, addressing inappropriate behavior, discrimination, and harassment. We take an intersectional approach, promote gender equality, and follow our Global Code of Conduct emphasizing our H.E.A.R.T. values. The code covers various aspects, including anti-trafficking, PSEAH (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment), whistleblowing, and online safety.

PADF is an Equal Opportunity Employer