Director of Governance Support

Position Title :

Director of Governance Support Posting Number :

S226P Department :

K-12 Education Department Position Type :

Staff

Job Description :

Job SummaryThrough its K-12 Education Office, Hillsdale College seeks to restore excellence to American K-12 education, public and private. The Director of Governance leads the College’s efforts to equip and sustain the boards of Hillsdale-affiliated schools by providing training, counsel, resources, and accountability in line with Hillsdale’s Best Practices for K-12 Schools.Through regular board training and publications, the K-12 Education Office provides guidance to board members, focusing on the governance policy mode, the board’s relationship to the school leader and special topics related to K-12 school governance, including state compliance, charter law, fundraising, strategic planning, issues related to private schools, and others.The person filling this position will oversee that work, maintaining close relationships with the boards of Hillsdale-affiliated schools and bringing the teachings of Hillsdale College to a growing network of classical educators. Essential Job FunctionsBoard Training & DevelopmentSupport boards through the full annual cycle of governance, including annual reports, reviews, internal processes, and evaluations—both of the head of school and of the board’s own performance.Oversee programming for the Bi-Annual Bootcamp & Board Development Conference, including tailored sessions for founding boards, candidate member schools, and sustaining boards.Deliver in-person and virtual trainings on governance, policy, compliance, strategic planning, and other special topics.Maintain and expand course-style trainings (e.g., board self-assessment, head of school evaluation, committees, Board Chair 101).Develop and cultivate onboarding and offboarding processes for new and departing board members. Create and maintain a plan to introduce new members to the K-12 Office, orient them to Hillsdale’s best practices, and provide a welcome packet and related materials. Coordinate with the Leader Support Team to support head of school evaluation processes and provide boards with tools for self-assessment and strategic goal review.Oversee production of the Governance Support Quarterly newsletter and other governance resources.Direct Board SupportConduct monthly check-ins with the board chair of new schools and quarterly coaching and development sessions with the board chair of established schools. Offer as-needed consultation via email, phone, or virtual meeting for governance matters.Attend board meetings regularly (virtual or in person), provide actionable feedback, and foster board-head alignment.Review board agendas, policies, and compliance documents as requested. Identify recurring governance themes across schools to inform future training and resource development.

Governance Resources & PublicationsDevelop, edit, and expand governance resources including model policy manuals, handbooks, board training guides, and governance best-practice documents.Oversee development of the Governance Support Quarterly newsletter and other governance communications.Track board participation in governance trainings, conferences, and related measures of engagement.Policy & Compliance SupportIn partnership with the Director of Policy and Research and Assistant General Counsel, advise boards on state compliance, charter law, and education policy questions.Assist boards in navigating charter application and reauthorization processes, ensuring alignment with Hillsdale’s mission.Collaboration & IntegrationWork hand-in-hand with the Leader Support Team, Teacher Support Team, and other divisions of the School Support Team to provide unified service to schools.Ensure boards understand the role of each Hillsdale K-12 team and connect them to appropriate support when appropriate.Coordinate with Communications, PR, and Curriculum teams on board-related initiatives as needed. Required Qualifications :

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily in a best-of-class manner. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required.

Education and ExperienceMinimum of high school diploma; Bachelor’s degree preferredMinimum of three years in on a K-12 school board, preferably having held the Board Chair role as well as other roles.Knowledge of K-12 education

Experience with and commitment to the Carver Model of Policy Governance Service on or experience with nonprofit or school boards (preferred : classical school boards), is desired.Professional experience demonstrating legal, financial, or business acumen, is desired.Deep appreciation for the formative role of board governance in shaping school culture and mission fidelity, is desired. Other Skills :

Other SkillsStrong commitment to classical education.Knowledge of K-12 education governance, especially the Carver Model of Policy Governance. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to build strong connections and convey complex ideas to a variety of stakeholders. Proven ability to build and maintain relationships.Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities. Diplomacy, discretion, and the ability to navigate sensitive issues tactfully. Proficiency in project management and the ability to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Physical Demands :

Personal CharacteristicsThe K-12 Education Office interacts frequently with College staff, visitors, and donors. A neat appearance and a pleasant demeanor are essential. Staff members must represent the College well and act in support of its mission. Code of CommitmentServe as an excellent representative of Hillsdale College to promote the liberal arts, the College’s original Articles of Association, and operating principles stated in the Staff Code of Commitment. The Mission Statement should be considered in all aspects of the position.

Open Until Filled : No

Supplemental Questions :

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (

• ). Documents Needed To Apply (Required Documents & Optional Documents) :

Required DocumentsResumeCover LetterOptional DocumentsPI76464f2f01af-31181-39061661