Director, Board and Legal Operations

Please submit both a resume and a cover letter to be considered.

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.

• 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.

• BA/BS with 8+ years of experience in legal operations, board governance, or a similar executive‑level operational role in a complex organization.
• Expe…