DIRECTOR, AFFILIATE POLICY & SUSTAINABILITY

• Please note, applications without cover letter will not be considered.

Dress for Success®

Dress for Success Worldwide is a global not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 130 affiliates in over 20 countries. We have helped over 1.3 million women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit http://www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more. Dress for Success Worldwide is the managing entity for the organization and its global affiliate network.

Job Description:

The Director, Affiliate Policy & Sustainability, is a key leadership role responsible for advancing governance practices, compliance, and operational excellence across Dress for Success Worldwide’s global affiliate network. In this capacity, the Director will directly manage and implement governance-related initiatives, including strengthening affiliate agreements, developing policies, and supporting nonprofit business management. This role will work collaboratively with the Affiliate Impact team and the Chief Operations Officer and her team to ensure affiliates are empowered to operate effectively and sustainably, aligning with Dress for Success’s mission and standards.

Essential Functions:

This full-time role is pivotal in building and implementing governance frameworks, policies, and compliance mechanisms across the affiliate network. The Director will play a hands-on role in ensuring operational excellence and building capacity for governance initiatives while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with affiliates and internal teams.

Responsibilities:

Policy and Compliance:

• Manage affiliate agreements, renewals, and compliance tracking to ensure adherence to Dress for Success’s standards.
• Research best practices to inform and improve policies and procedures related to governance and operational standards, including areas such as brand licensing agreements, name changes, and closures. Examples may include enhancing agreement clauses to better address governance and operational responsibilities.

Affiliate Board Governance Advisory:

• Foster relationships with affiliate boards to promote improved governance practices, providing recommendations and resources to strengthen board management and accountability.
• Guide the development of additional clauses and requirements in agreements to gradually improve board oversight and effectiveness.
• Develop toolkits and resources to help affiliates adopt and maintain governance best practices while respecting their independence.

Sustainability and Accountability:

• Implement strategies to enhance long-term operational and financial sustainability for affiliates, focusing on governance as a foundation for success.
• Develop mechanisms to track and encourage transparency and accountability in affiliate operations, aligning with organizational goals and values.

Nonprofit Business Management:

• Enhance processes for evaluating and approving new affiliate applications, ensuring alignment with governance and operational criteria.
• Oversee onboarding for new affiliate leaders, providing tailored training on governance, agreements, and leadership best practices.
• Establish ongoing monitoring systems to assess affiliate adherence to governance standards and operational excellence.

In addition to the core responsibilities outlined above, the Director, Affiliate Policy & Sustainability, will actively contribute to the success and growth of Dress for Success Worldwide in collaboration with the Chief Affiliate Impact Officer and the broader Affiliate Impact team. This includes providing strategic support for initiatives, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and leading knowledge-sharing efforts within the global affiliate network.

Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships across all levels of the organization and with independent entities.
• High level of diplomacy and influence to promote compliance and value-driven collaboration with affiliates.
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, collaborative, and agile.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Critical thinker with conceptual problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with modern technology and AI tools, with an ability to integrate these into governance processes and operational efficiencies.
• Exceptional project management, time management, and organizational skills.
• Strong knowledge of legal frameworks and practices related to nonprofit governance and agreements (experience with document drafting and legal research is preferred).
• Strong emotional intelligence
• Self-motivated and accountable
• Impeccable judgment and discretion
• Exceptional project management, time management and organizational skills

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree or equivalent practical experience in nonprofit management, governance, or a related area.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in nonprofit governance or a related role, preferably within an affiliate-based organization.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex legal and compliance processes.
• Proven success in influencing and supporting boards to strengthen governance within independent organizations.
• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures that align with strategic objectives.

Supervisory Responsibility:

The Director, Affiliate Policy & Sustainability, will supervise one Coordinator.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position with a business schedule from Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Employees must work 35 hours each week to maintain full-time status. Limited travel may be required.

Work Environment

Dress for Success Worldwide offers a congenial work environment. The dress code is business smart/business casual and employees work on-site in our New York City office three days per week and remotely two days per week.

Dress for Success Worldwide maintains a COVID-19 weekly testing policy and is taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety and health of our employees, volunteers, and clients.

Physical Demands

Employee may need to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds in performing regular office duties and managing records, files, and materials.

Work Authorization

Employment at Dress for Success Worldwide is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background check with ClearStar, reference checks, and your ability to meet the terms of current immigration laws, which require every new employee to provide documentation that proves identity and demonstrates authorization to work in the United States.

AAP/EEO Statement

Dress for Success Worldwide is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome all qualified candidates regardless of their demographic background.

How to Apply

Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please send your resume and thoughtful cover letter to jobs@dressforsuccess.org

with Director, Affiliate Policy & Sustainability, in the subject line. No phone calls or recruiters.