Senior Director of Governance & Board Affairs (Volunteer)

Mentor A Promise is a New York City–based nonprofit serving children and youth (ages 5–18) experiencing housing instability, grounded in the belief that every child is a Promise—full of potential, dignity, and possibility. We deliver consistent, high-quality programming across mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression in shelters, schools, and community spaces, creating structured environments where students can grow, be seen, and build lasting skills. Through signature experiences like The Imagination Studio, The Kitchen Table, The Sound Lab, and The Story Space, we nurture academic development, emotional well-being, and creative voice, all within a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and accessibility-centered framework. Our work prioritizes dignity-protective storytelling, consent-driven engagement, and deep community partnership, ensuring that how we serve is as intentional as whom we serve. We are not only addressing immediate needs - we are building pathways to confidence, belonging, and long-term opportunity, so every child has the support and foundation to carry their promise forward.,Senior Director of Governance & Board Affairs (Volunteer)PromiseTrust | Governance, Board Relations & Organizational AccountabilityOrganization Mentor A Promise (MAP)Division PromiseTrustLocation Remote / Hybrid (NYC Collaboration as Needed)Type Volunteer Senior Leadership RoleCommitment Approximately 5–10 Hours Per WeekMinimum Commitment 6-Month Commitment RequiredReports To Deputy General Counsel & Chief of Legal OperationsWorks Closely With Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel, Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, Governance Committee, Division Chiefs, and Organizational LeadershipAbout Mentor A PromiseMentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City–based nonprofit organization supporting children, youth, and families experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, educational enrichment, social-emotional learning, workforce development, creative expression, housing innovation, and community-centered opportunity.As MAP continues to grow, strong governance becomes increasingly important.Effective governance creates clarity.Accountability creates trust.Transparency creates confidence.The Senior Director of Governance & Board Affairs helps ensure that MAP's governance systems support long-term organizational excellence.About PromiseTrustPromiseTrust serves as Mentor A Promise's Legal Division and is responsible forLegal AffairsCorporate GovernanceBoard GovernanceComplianceRisk ManagementContracts & AgreementsOrganizational AccountabilityPolicy DevelopmentEthics & IntegrityLegal OperationsPromiseTrust helps safeguard the integrity, stewardship, and sustainability of the organization.Role OverviewMentor A Promise is seeking an experienced and highly organized Senior Director of Governance & Board Affairs to lead governance administration, board affairs, governance compliance, and organizational accountability efforts across the organization.This leader serves as the primary operational steward of MAP's governance framework and works closely with executive leadership, board leadership, and PromiseTrust to ensure strong governance practices are maintained.The role is responsible for overseeingBoard governanceBoard committeesGovernance policiesOrganizational resolutionsBylaws administrationConflict-of-interest managementBoard operationsGovernance reportingOrganizational transparency initiativesThe ideal candidate understands that governance is more than compliance.It is the foundation of institutional trust.Core ResponsibilitiesBoard GovernanceLead and support governance practices involvingBoard governance administrationBoard meeting coordinationGovernance calendarsBoard records managementBoard onboardingGovernance documentationBoard communicationsHelp ensure the Board can operate effectively and strategically.Board CommitteesSupport and coordinateGovernance CommitteeExecutive CommitteeFinance CommitteeAudit CommitteeStrategic Planning CommitteesSpecial Board CommitteesMaintain committee records, schedules, and governance documentation.Bylaws & Corporate GovernanceOverseeBylaw administrationGovernance reviewsOrganizational governance standardsGovernance policy implementationGovernance recommendationsCorporate governance best practicesHelp ensure governance structures remain current and effective.Organizational Resolutions & Corporate RecordsMaintain and administerBoard resolutionsCorporate recordsGovernance archivesOrganizational actionsGovernance approvalsInstitutional documentationSupport organizational continuity and accountability.Governance PoliciesLead governance policy management involvingGovernance frameworksBoard policiesCommittee chartersGovernance proceduresOrganizational accountability policiesTransparency standardsHelp build governance systems that scale with organizational growth.Conflict-of-Interest AdministrationOverseeAnnual disclosuresBoard conflict reviewsPolicy administrationDisclosure trackingGovernance compliance monitoringPromote ethical decision-making and public trust.Organizational Transparency & AccountabilitySupport initiatives that strengthenGovernance transparencyBoard reportingOrganizational accountabilityGovernance communicationsInstitutional stewardshipPublic trustHelp ensure MAP maintains the highest standards of governance integrity.Governance Education & Board DevelopmentSupportBoard orientationGovernance trainingGovernance resourcesCommittee educationGovernance best-practice implementationHelp strengthen board effectiveness and governance maturity.Leadership ResponsibilitiesThe Senior Director will provide leadership and oversight forGovernance ManagerResponsible forGovernance processesGovernance documentationPolicy administrationGovernance workflowsBoard Affairs ManagerResponsible forBoard operationsMeeting coordinationCommittee administrationBoard communicationsGovernance AnalystResponsible forGovernance researchGovernance reportingPolicy analysisGovernance metrics and trackingQualificationsHelpful experience may includeCorporate GovernanceNonprofit GovernanceBoard AdministrationLegal OperationsCompliancePublic AdministrationCorporate Secretary FunctionsOrganizational GovernanceRisk & Accountability ProgramsStrong candidates often demonstrateGovernance expertiseExceptional organizational skillsExecutive-level professionalismBoard relations experiencePolicy development experienceStrong written communicationHigh attention to detailExperience working with nonprofit boards, governance committees, legal departments, or executive leadership is highly valued.First-Year PrioritiesWithin the first year, this leader will helpStrengthen MAP's governance frameworkStandardize board governance processesDevelop governance dashboards and reporting systemsImprove board onboarding and educationCentralize governance documentationEnhance conflict-of-interest administrationStrengthen governance transparency practicesSupport board committee effectivenessSuccess MeasuresSuccess in this role includesStrong governance complianceEffective board operationsWell-maintained corporate recordsImproved governance transparencyStrong board engagementTimely governance reportingEffective committee administrationIncreased organizational accountabilityWhy This Role MattersStrong organizations require strong governance.Strong governance requires structure, accountability, transparency, and stewardship.The Senior Director of Governance & Board Affairs helps ensure that Mentor A Promise continues to operate with integrity, excellence, and public trust.This role helps transform governance from a requirement into a strategic organizational asset.What You'll GainSenior leadership experience within a growing nonprofit organizationDirect exposure to board governance and executive leadershipOpportunity to build governance systems and organizational infrastructureCollaboration with legal, executive, and board leadersProfessional references and letters of recommendationMeaningful impact supporting children, youth, and families experiencing housing instabilityHow to ApplyInterested candidates should apply directly through Idealist and submitResume or CVBrief statement of interestRelevant governance, board affairs, legal, compliance, or nonprofit leadership experiencePlease share experience involvingBoard governanceGovernance administrationBoard committeesPolicy developmentCorporate governanceComplianceOrganizational accountabilityHelp strengthen the governance behind the mission.Because trust is not built through intentions alone.It is built through accountability, stewardship, and responsible leadership.This role holds the pieces together.From bylaws to board meetings to organizational accountability—help ensure governance remains strong before challenges emerge.Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.