The Society of American Archivists seeks a Governance Manager to provide comprehensive staff support for SAA’s 41 sections and program-facing committees of the SAA Foundation. This position is the sole staff contact for all SAA sections and owns the full lifecycle of section governance, including onboarding, compliance with standing rules, elections, annual reporting, leadership transitions, and microsite administration. 

Reporting to the Governance Director, the Governance Manager serves as the primary point of contact through the Governance inbox and provides responsive, accurate, member-focused support to section leaders and Foundation committee volunteers. This position manages high-volume workflows across a large and diverse portfolio of volunteer groups and plays a key role in maintaining strong governance operations across SAA. 

The successful candidate will be highly organized, comfortable with technology, attentive to detail, and able to manage multiple concurrent deadlines independently. Experience in association operations, governance administration, member services, elections, grants, or committee support is especially valuable. 

Key Responsibilities 

The Governance Manager will: 

• Serve as the sole staff contact for all 41 SAA sections, providing guidance on governance procedures, standing rules, member communications, leadership transitions, and section administration. 

• Manage section onboarding, including charter documentation, microsite setup, discussion list configuration, and leadership orientation. 

• Maintain current records for all sections, including leadership rosters, standing rules, liaison assignments, and activity status. 

• Monitor section health and flag concerns regarding inactive, non-compliant, or at-risk sections to the Governance Director. 

• Own the elections process for all 41 sections, including ballot setup, online voting configuration, nomination communications, voter outreach, results tabulation, and candidate notifications. 

• Manage the annual elections calendar, typically June through August. 

• Manage the annual report submission process for all 64 SAA component groups, with reports due October 1. 

• Track annual report submissions, follow up on delinquent reports, compile summaries for Council review, and maintain report archives. 

• Serve as primary staff support for Foundation program-facing committees, including Grant Review, NDRFA Grant Review, Annual Meeting Award, and Development. 

• Coordinate Catalyst Grant and Opportunity Grant application cycles, review committee logistics, and applicant communications. 

• Serve as the single point of contact between the Governance team and SAA Publishing for microsite and elections technology needs. 

• Manage the Governance inbox, resolving section and operational inquiries and routing Council-level or policy issues to the Governance Director. 

• Support section activities, Foundation program committee activities, and governance logistics during the Annual Meeting. 

• Track and reconcile budgets, reimbursements, grant disbursements, and financial records related to section, appointed group, and Foundation program committee activities. 

• Use SAA digital platforms including Thrive, Drupal, MailChimp, Vimeo, Canva, Microsoft 365, financial management systems, and online elections platforms. 

Qualifications 

Required qualifications include: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; experience in association management, nonprofit administration, or member services preferred. 

• Minimum three years of experience in association operations, governance administration, or member services. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of concurrent responsibilities independently and accurately. 

• Strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills with a member-first orientation. 

• Comfort with technology and ability to learn new platforms quickly, troubleshoot independently, and support volunteer leaders in doing the same. 

• Experience with elections administration, grant coordination, or committee support is a plus. 

• Commitment to SAA’s core values, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. 

About the Role 

This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Governance Director. The Governance Manager supports all 41 SAA sections, SAA Foundation program committees, and governance operations across SAA’s component group structure. 

SAA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates who will contribute to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable professional community. 

SAA does not use AI in its hiring processes or procedures.  

To apply 

Send a resume and substantive cover letter describing your expertise and fit for this role to hr@archivists.org 

About Society of American Archivists

Growing professional association in downtown Chicago that offers a full range of services to its more than 5,800 individual and institutional members. Twelve staff members. Comprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental, and retirement plans; close to public transportation; collegial environment. SAA values, and expects from all of its employees, the following attributes and skills: Great attitude; professional and personable behaviors; strong member/customer service orientation; critical thinking and problem-solving ability; desire to learn new information and techniques; computer/technical literacy; strong communication skills; ability to stick with a project and see it through to completion; ability to link member/customer needs with SAA capabilities to imagine possibilities for new activities and/or new ways of doing things.

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