Director of People & Board Operations

Company Description

The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) serves and supports the restaurant industry in Texas by providing resources for success and growth. TRA has been advocating for restaurant members since 1937, helping to increase sales, reduce expenses, and improve profitability. Membership in TRA also includes membership in the National Restaurant Association and TRA's local Texas chapters, multiplying the value of the investment.

Role Description

The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and highly organized Director of People & Board Operations to work directly with the President & CEO. This leader will act as a right-hand advisor to the President & CEO, managing critical initiatives related to the team and board members, and ensuring seamless collaboration across all departments. This leader will take full ownership of people leadership responsibilities, including talent management and human resources, as well as board engagement and management, ensuring that organizational talent aligns with TRA's strategic goals. This leader will also provide some support to the President & CEO related to communications and time management.

The Director of People & Board Operations will drive operational and human capital efficiency, enabling TRA to achieve its mission and serve as the voice of the Texas restaurant industry. This role is based in the Austin office.

Key Duties & Activities Include:

Executive Support

• Manage the President & CEO's schedule, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and handling confidential matters with discretion.
• Represent the President & CEO in meetings, communicating with internal and external stakeholders on the President & CEO's behalf.

Operational Oversight & Organizational Leadership

• Manage the daily operations of the senior team, including administrative functions such as meeting preparation, report generation, and communication oversight as the key liaison between the President & President & CEO and other executives.
• Provide leadership in the implementation of policies, procedures, and organizational practices, identifying opportunities for process improvement to enhance organizational efficiency.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration across departments.

People & Human Resources Leadership

• Take full ownership of people leadership and human resources functions, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.
• Oversee talent management, including recruitment, onboarding, retention, and professional development of staff.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and internal policies, promoting a fair and equitable workplace.
• Develop and implement strategies to foster a positive organizational culture, with a focus on effective communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and team building.
• Mentor and develop leadership within the organization, ensuring employees are engaged, prepared, and motivated to set and achieve goals that align with TRA's mission and values.
• Manage employee benefits, coordinating with Controller as appropriate. Lead annual insurance benefits renewal process with finance team to present President & CEO recommendations for approval.
• Lead diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, ensuring HR policies reflect TRA's commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.

State Board Relations

• Manage relationships with the Texas Restaurant Association's state board, ensuring consistent communication and alignment on strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate board meetings, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and ensuring follow-up on key decisions. Collaborate with Foundation Director to keep alignment with Texas Restaurant Foundation board and to further support dual-serving board members.
• Draft or collect completed minutes from relevant meetings / committee liaisons as appropriate. Submit approved minutes for inclusion in Association’s Corporate Book to Chief Revenue Officer.
• Serve as a liaison between the state board and TRA's leadership team, facilitating effective collaboration and driving board engagement. Manage travel/appearance calendar for Board Chair, coordinating with Executive Directors and tracking on master events calendar.
• Provide regular updates to the board on organizational performance, key initiatives, and strategic goals, tracking progress of organization’s annual Strategy On A Page (SOAP) on a monthly basis.
• Ensure compliance with board-related policies and procedures and relay any issues or relevant information to the Governance Committee Chair and Chief Revenue Officer (Committee Liaison).

And all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Preferred Skills

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Organizational Management, Human Resources, or a related field (master’s preferred), and minimum of 5 years of experience in a director role, preferably supporting C-suite executives.
• Experience working with a distributed workforce and managing a volunteer board of directors. Association experience preferred.
• Extensive experience in human resources management, including talent development and organizational culture initiatives.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make high-impact decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to think critically in support of strategic decision-making.
• Expert in project management and HR tools as well as Microsoft 365 suite. Experience with OnBoard or similar board management platform preferred.
• Onsite role based in Austin, Texas, with the ability to work from home up to one day a week.

Role requires some local (Texas) and/or national travel, not exceeding 5-10% of hours worked.

Role does not have any special or extraordinary physical requirements.

As the industry which the Association serves operates 24/7/365, role may at times require availability outside of standard “9 to 5” business hours, as needed, for activities like special events/meetings or to respond to emergency situations as needed and/or directed by the C-Suite.