Director, Governance

Director, Governance

Job Summary:

The Director, Governance serves as AAPA's principal governance professional, providing strategic leadership for the organization's governance framework and ensuring effective, transparent, and compliant governance practices across the Academy.

This position is responsible for oversight of Board governance, governance operations, organizational elections, parliamentary procedure, governing documents, governance compliance, and governance-related initiatives. The Director partners closely with volunteer leaders, executive leadership, legal counsel, outside consultants and staff to strengthen Board effectiveness, support sound governance decision-making, and advance nonprofit governance best practices. The Director also leads governance modernization initiatives, provides expert guidance on governance and parliamentary procedure, oversees governance operations and elections, and supervises governance staff.

Key Responsibilities:

Governance Leadership & Organizational Oversight

• Serve as the organization's primary advisor on governance matters.
• Lead development and continuous improvement of governance policies, practices, and processes.
• Advise executive leadership and volunteer leaders regarding governance best practices, fiduciary responsibilities, and governance trends.
• Ensure compliance with Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Board policies, and nonprofit regulations.
• Lead governance modernization initiatives and collaborate with legal counsel on governance matters.

Board & Leadership Support

• Direct Board operations including annual work plans, governance calendars, meetings, retreats, orientation, and governance education.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Board of Directors and assigned committees and commissions.
• Prepare agendas, reports, briefing materials, minutes, resolutions, and governance communications.
• Ensure Board members receive timely and meaningful information to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities.
• Oversee governance records and communication tools.

Governance Operations, Elections & Compliance

• Direct all organizational elections and election-related processes.
• Lead governance planning for the Annual Membership Meeting.
• Administer governance disclosure, confidentiality, and conflict-of-interest processes.
• Maintain governance records and ensure governance compliance.

Parliamentary Procedure & Governance Expertise

• Serve as AAPA's subject matter expert on parliamentary procedure and nonprofit governance.
• Interpret bylaws and governance policies.
• Provide expertise on amendments to governing documents.
• Provide governance consultation to volunteer leaders, committees, commissions, and constituent organizations.
• Develop governance education and leadership development programs.

Governance Project Leadership

• Lead governance modernization initiatives, bylaw and AAPA policy revisions, governance technology enhancements, standing rules and other rules of procedure, and strategic governance projects.
• Manage cross-functional governance initiatives and special task forces using formal project management practices.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Supervise governance staff and establish department priorities.
• Develop work plans, coach employees, and promote continuous improvement.
• Build organizational governance capability and serve as a trusted governance resource

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Health Policy, Public Policy, Political Science, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in health policy, government affairs, healthcare reimbursement, healthcare advocacy, or a related field preferred.
• Experience researching and interpreting federal legislation, regulations, and healthcare reimbursement policies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly to a variety of audiences.
• Strong analytical, research, organizational, and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, influence stakeholders, and collaborate effectively across departments and with external partners.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities in a hybrid work environment.
• Ability to attend occasional in-office meetings and events in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, including occasional evening functions.

The American Academy of PAs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to enriching the working environment for all staff by promoting a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability. We invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to apply. AAPA considers all qualified applicants without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, and any other classifications protected by law.