Ospreys performed amid uncertainty final season when homeowners Y11 Sports and Media tried to take over rivals Cardiff, just for the deal to collapse in April.
Chairman James Davies-Yandle is assured that the appointment of Jones, who gained 158 caps for Wales and 12 for the British and Irish Lions, will assist drive the membership ahead.
“We were not looking for a figurehead,” he stated. “We were looking for a director who understands this club from the inside, and who can also stand up in a boardroom, hold his own and have a view on the detail.
“It was already a powerful board, this makes it stronger.”
Ospreys’ first fixture at the revamped St Helen’s is scheduled to be against Dragons in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on 24 October, swiftly followed by another home derby against Cardiff.
Ospreys have lost Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan to Gloucester, but head coach Mark Jones has had a busy recruitment drive.
Wales again Tom Rogers has signed from Scarlets and three Australians have arrived in Liam Wright, Lawson Creighton and Lalakai Foketi, with one other transfer lined up for ex-Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete.