Board Chair Job Description - Download 7 Samples

Sep 14, 2026

Board Chair Job Description provides guidance for nonprofit governance by defining the board chair as the chief volunteer officer responsible for leading the board’s work. It outlines key duties including inspiring shared vision, managing board responsibilities, facilitating meetings, and strengthening the board-chief executive relationship. Practical tips cover aligning roles with bylaws, choosing appropriate titles, and sharing workload to support recruitment. Seven sample job descriptions range from brief bylaws clauses to detailed qualifications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Key Elements

Chief volunteer officer duties

Board leadership and meeting facilitation

Relationship with the chief executive

Practical Tips

Role defined in bylaws vs separate job description

Title consistency (chair vs president)

Managing time demands and recruiting future chairs

Sample Board Chair Job Descriptions

Overview of the seven samples

Sample #1 to Sample #4

This E-Policy Sampler is excerpted from The Nonprofit Policy Sampler, Second Edition . Additional information about developing policies and using this resource can be found in the Preface (PDF) and Introduction (PDF) to the Second Edition . A complete list of categories of policies can be found in the table of contents (PDF) . Board Chair Job Description — Download 7 Samples Introduction The job of the board chair is one of the most challenging roles in the nonprofit world. A successful chair inspires a shared vision for the organization and its work, builds and nurtures future board leadership, and manages the work of the board. This position demands exceptional commitment to the organization, first-rate leadership qualities, and personal integrity. For many boards, success may rest heavily on the individual chosen to lead it. Key Elements • As the chief volunteer officer, the board chair’s duties run from managing the board to working closely with the chief executive . Additional duties may relate to his or her role as a spokesperson for the organization . If the board has an executive committee (see EPolicy Sampler: Executive Committee), the board chair also chairs this committee . • In functioning as the team leader of the board, the board chair sets goals for the board, involves all board members in the work of the board (during meetings and through committee assignments), serves as the contact for all board members on board issues, and facilitates board meetings. • In working closely with the chief executive, the board chair may be assigned responsibility for managing the overall board-chief executive relationship, such as developing meeting agendas and coordinating the executive’s annual performance review. Practical Tips • The chair’s role is usually defined in the bylaws, but a separate job description should be created to outline the duties in more detail. • The official title of the chief volunteer officer varies from organization to organization . The terms “chair” and “president” are the same, and the organization’s bylaws should dictate which is used. The most common — and least confusing — title is that of “chair.” This prevents confusion with the chief staff officer, who may have a title of president and chief executive officer . • If the expectations for the board chair become too demanding and the position too time-consuming, it will be difficult to recruit new chairs. Often, some of the responsibilities and tasks can be shared with other board officers to make the position more reasonable for a volunteer . Sample Board Chair Job Descriptions The seven job descriptions run from brief and broad to formal and focused. 1. This bylaws clause broadly defines the role of the board chair . 2. This short statement lists the main duties of the chair as they relate to the functions of the board. 3. This brief sample clarifies the authority of the chair as the leader of the board and the manager of board practices. 4. This basic list outlines expectations for the chair of an organization that does not have a large staff. 5. This brief job description elaborates on core board chair duties towards the organization, chief executive, board process, and community. 6. This more comprehensive job description outlines the various functions of the board chair position in relation to overall board responsibility categories. 7. This detailed job description addresses all aspects of the board chair’s position, from purpose to qualifications . Sample \#1 This bylaws clause broadly defines the role of the board chair. APPLICABLE BYLAWS Article , Section Board Chair: The board chair shall preside at all meetings of the organization, and of the executive committee and board of the organization. The board chair shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the organization and shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the board. He or she shall have the power to sign

FAQs

What are the board chair’s core responsibilities in a nonprofit organization?

The board chair leads the board’s work, facilitates board meetings, sets board goals, and serves as the contact for board issues. The role also includes overseeing key governance duties as defined by bylaws and supporting board-chief executive alignment.

How should the board chair’s role be documented?

While the chair’s duties are usually defined in the bylaws, the resource recommends creating a separate job description to outline responsibilities in more detail.

How do organizations prevent confusion about the board chair’s title?

The chair’s official title varies by organization; the document notes that “chair” and “president” can be equivalent terms. The bylaws should dictate which title is used, with “chair” suggested as the least confusing option to avoid overlap with the chief staff role.

Sep 14, 2026

Upload by Caleb Sterling