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Board & Chief Executive
Division of Human Resources Responsibilities |
Click HERE to download – BVU_HR_Responsibilities
Core principle: The board has exactly one employee — the Chief Executive. All other staff report to and through the chief executive. The board’s sole HR authority is hiring, evaluating, compensating, and (if needed) separating the chief executive.
Who Does What: Board vs. Chief Executive
| Board Chair / Board |
Shared |
Chief Executive |
| Staff Oversight, Compensation & Evaluation |
- Oversee hiring, compensation, and evaluation of the chief executive
- Ensure a succession plan exists for the chief executive
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- Ensure sufficient resources to attract and retain excellent staff
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- Oversee and evaluate all other staff
- Set staff salaries within board-approved budget
- Handle all staff discipline, coaching, and separation
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| HR Policy |
- Approve whistleblower, conflict-of-interest, and personnel policies
- Review and update HR policies as needed
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- Shared commitment to organizational culture and sustainability
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- Implement all board-approved HR policies day-to-day
- Draft and recommend policy updates to the board
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| Budget & Compensation |
- Approve the total personnel budget
- Set chief executive compensation (salary, benefits, review cycle)
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- Fiscal stewardship of personnel expenses
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- Prepare and propose personnel budget to the board
- Manage staffing and all other compensation within approved budget
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Governance vs. Management: Who Recommends? Who Decides? Who Carries It Out?
HR-related rows are highlighted. Adapted from Clarify Governance vs. Management Boundaries.
| Decision Area |
Recommend |
Decide |
Execute |
| Staff Hiring & Management |
Chief Executive |
Chief Executive |
Chief Executive |
| Hire / Dismiss Chief Executive |
Executive Committee / Board |
Board |
Board Chair |
| Approve Annual Budget (incl. personnel) |
Finance Committee & CE |
Board |
Chief Executive |
Board Don’ts: HR Boundaries to Respect
Nonprofit boards should NOT:
- Insert themselves in operational activities — managing staff is the chief executive’s job
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- Handle any HR matters beyond the Chief Executive
- Should not communicate with staff beyond projects, committees, or events
- May advise on culture initiatives, best practices, or resources — but through the chief executive
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- Work around the Chief Executive for personal agendas
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- Disclose confidential HR or personnel information with outside parties
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- Misrepresent or bad-mouth the organization or its staff
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