Board Liaison

HOW YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT

As Board Liaison, you will serve as the primary facilitator and project manager for initiatives involving the USGBC and GBCI boards, executive team and Governance staff. This is a new position - a first opportunity to bridge the work of the USGBC and GBCI Boards and ensure the boards operate at their highest level. You will work with both Board Chairs in close alignment with the CEO and executive leadership team to support consistent governance practice across both entities.

Your work will be organized around two core areas:

1. Substantive Support to the Boards & Inter-Entity Alignment

• Tie the Two Boards Together: Identify where GBCI and USGBC board work streams intersect, ensure each board has visibility into the other's strategic discussions where relevant, and help the Board Chairs and CEO operate as a coordinated leadership unit while preserving distinct corporate governance boundaries.
• Facilitate Alignment on Strategic Work Streams: Facilitate communication and project management between the boards and executive leadership on key board-level work streams, including reporting, research and consulting efforts supporting board decision-making on strategy, policy and financial oversight.
• Enable Board Effectiveness: Partner with the Board Chairs and the VP of Governance to set agendas that reflect board priorities, reduce friction in board engagement, bring members up to speed faster, and ensure decisions do not stall between meetings. Track progress against board goals and flag when work streams are delayed to the Board Chairs and CEO.
• Synthesize and Present Analyses: Synthesize input from management, consultants, and external sources. Identify emerging issues the boards should be tracking to support robust fiduciary oversight and strategic inquiry.
• Support Board Evaluation of CEO: Coordinate logistical and analytical support for CEO evaluation processes with Human Resources in accordance with defined frameworks and policies.
• Handle administrative coordination associated with these duties including communications, scheduling and logistics support, as needed.

2. Board Composition, Succession, and Director Reviews

• Support Board Composition and Succession Planning: Working with the Governance Committee and staff, provide structured strategic assessment of current board composition and priority skills, sectors, and perspectives for board recruitment. Support multi-year succession planning for director and officer roles.
• Coordinate Board Director Annual Reviews: Under the direction of the Governance Committee, coordinate the administration of the annual board director evaluation process (including self-assessments and peer feedback instruments).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience 

• 7+ years of experience in board relations, project management, enterprise strategy, chief of staff, or senior advisory roles.
• Demonstrated experience supporting a board of directors or executive leadership committee, ideally in a complex nonprofit, federation, or mission-driven organization.
• Track record of managing complex, multi-work stream initiatives across affiliated corporate entities.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; relevant advanced degree (MBA, or Master's in Governance/Public Policy) strongly preferred.

Skills

• Familiarity with the green building, commercial real estate, or sustainability sector.
• Prior experience in organizational management and strong project management skills; able to track multiple work streams simultaneously.
• Familiarity with nonprofit governance, including fiduciary duties (Care, Loyalty, Obedience), board-management boundaries, 501(c)(3)/501(c)(6) affiliated structures, and best practices in board effectiveness.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills — able to take complex, multi-source input and produce clear, objective analysis and recommendations.
• Ability to work constructively to facilitate analysis and organizational process without taking a position; comfortable holding an unbiased perspective in sensitive situations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; able to write for a board audience and present with confidence in high-stakes settings.
• Comfort interacting with and collaborating effectively with senior individuals.
• Discretion, diplomacy, and sound judgment in handling highly confidential matters.
• Commitment to the missions of USGBC and GBCI.

Language

• English

Logistics

Location: This position is hybrid at our Washington, D.C. office. You will be required to work from the office few days a week.

Work Schedule: 9 am to 5:30pm ET; occasional outside office hours may be required.

Travel %: 5%

ABOUT OUR TOTAL REWARDS PACKAGE

Salary 

Final compensation and benefits will be confirmed at the time of offer and may vary based on factors such as internal equity, relevant experience, qualifications, and employment status. Please note that salary negotiations will not extend beyond the top of the internal salary range.

Benefits

We offer you:

• Competitive compensation
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Professional development reimbursement
• We offer a healthcare plan through Cigna that includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription drugs. USGBC covers 100% of the premiums and an HRA that will assist you and your dependents in reaching the in-network medical deductible. You will only be responsible for the $300 individual / $600 family up front deductible for medical services before the employer funded HRA will process payments for your in-network claims
• Generous paid time off (12 paid holidays, 9 paid personal sick days and 2 weeks PTO as a starting point), including operations closed for a full week between Christmas and New Year’s
• 6 weeks paid renewal leave after 7 years of continuous service 

EEO STATEMENT

The U.S. Green Building Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

ABOUT US

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to accelerating and scaling the transformation of the built environment. Through LEED—the world’s most widely used green building rating system— and initiatives likes Greenbuild, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy, USGBC empowers professionals to drive market transformation that advances human and environmental health, climate resilience, and equity.

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, independently recognizing excellence in performance. GBCI administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates including LEED, PERFORM, SITES, and TRUE Zero Waste.

We are proud to be globally recognized for our leadership in green building, environmental performance, and sustainable development.

Our Global Impact

• Over 120,000 LEED-certified commercial projects worldwide
• Millions of square feet of certified healthy, efficient, low-carbon space
• Recognition in180+ countries for innovation in green building and business practices

Why Join Us

At USGBC and GBCI, you’ll work alongside passionate, mission-aligned professionals who care deeply about people, the planet, and progress. We offer:

• A purpose-driven, inclusive culture
• Opportunities to grow your career and take ownership of meaningful work
• A chance to make a measurable impact on global sustainability efforts
• We’re seeking team members who thrive in collaborative environments, are committed to excellence, and want to build lasting partnerships that drive change in the built environment.

Meet Our Leaders and Learn More about our Mission:

• U.S. Green Building Council Leaders
• Green Business Certification Inc Leaders

Culture and Values Statement

Working together, each of us advances our mission by respecting all voices, trusting and supporting one another, excelling through collaboration and accountability, and continuously improving ourselves and our organization.