Vice President, Program and Community

Vice President, Program and Community (MF) Posted on October 18, 2017
The Meyer Foundation invests in solutions that build an equitable Washington region in which economically vulnerable people thrive. The Foundation envisions a just, connected, and inclusive Greater Washington community in which systemic racism and its consequences no longer exist. Over the past 75 years, building on the legacy of its founders Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, the Foundation has been a leader in the Washington region, making philanthropic investments with a deep focus and expertise in non-profit capacity building.
As the Foundation assesses the current socioeconomic climate of the Greater Washington region and inequities that have long persisted in many communities, it recognizes that new strategies and ideas that more directly challenge the status quo are necessary. The Foundation is identifying ways to leverage all its assets—including capacity building, communications, convening power, and collective action—to tackle the root causes of longstanding inequity—namely, structural and systemic racism. The Meyer Foundation acknowledges that there are significant, interrelated challenges facing many residents in the region, and envisions solutions that go beyond the traditional bounds of philanthropy.
The Meyer Foundation focuses its efforts on the core programmatic goals of achieving racial equity in housing, jobs, education, and asset-building in the Greater Washington region. The Foundation’s work to examine and confront racism is evolving and will continue to take place at the programmatic level and throughout the organization as each aspect of the Foundation is explored for opportunities to achieve racial equity.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Nicky Goren, the Foundation seeks to identify leaders who can develop and implement solutions with racial justice and equity expertise and who can help lead the foundation through this time of change.
In 2016, the Meyer Foundation awarded nearly $7.2M across the Greater Washington region. Looking ahead, the Foundation will explore opportunities to more intentionally address the systems, practices, and norms that perpetuate poverty and systemic racism.
With a full staff of 18 people, all based in the Dupont Circle office, the Foundation is working to build a close-knit team culture. Each member of the Meyer Foundation team is committed to the work because of their dedication to addressing the community issues most pertinent to the Greater Washington region. The Foundation upholds its commitment to the professional and personal development of each person on staff and to valuing work/life balance for team members.
The Opportunity: The Meyer Foundation seeks a visionary Vice President, Program and Community (“Vice President”) to serve as a critical leader in the Foundation during a period of organizational, programmatic, and culture change, providing oversight and management of all programmatic activities and ensuring alignment with Foundation goals and values.
The Vice President will bring leadership and strategic abilities that have been demonstrated through previous roles in philanthropy, including proven strengths in developing an effective strategy and managing a high-performing staff to advance racial equity internally and externally in an organization.
Reporting to the Foundation President and CEO, the Vice President will work in close collaboration with colleagues on the Senior Leadership Team, including the Vice President, Finance and Operations, the Senior Program Director, and the Senior Director, Strategy and Racial Equity.
Responsibilities: Ensure that Foundation goals are being met through the Foundation’s programmatic efforts, including grants, convening, capacity building, research, and evaluation.
Envision and implement a full array of program activities that go beyond traditional grantmaking to reflect the Foundation’s commitment to community engagement and racial justice.
Partner with the Foundation President and CEO, the Senior Program Director, and Program Directors in determining and implementing program strategy (initially leveraging the current strategic plan) and building the Foundation’s capacity as a thought partner, leader, and convener in the Greater Washington region.
Serve as a representative of the Foundation in the Greater Washington community and nationally; establish and maintain effective relationships on behalf of the Foundation.
Lead, motivate, and manage the Program Team, consisting of one Senior Director, three Program Directors, and two Program Assistants.
Contribute actively to the Senior Leadership Team to develop the Foundation’s entire staff.
Candidate Profile: Ideal candidates will be seasoned, collaborative, and communicative leaders who are steeped in racial equity and justice and have credible expertise in housing, education and employment, and/or asset-building. They will understand how to move a diverse range of stakeholders forward through clear communication, inspiration, and motivation. Successful candidates will also bring previous leadership experience in philanthropy, management skills that reflect the ability to lead and motivate a diverse and mission-driven team, and a deep belief in the power of grassroots movements to impact change for groups who are economically vulnerable.
Desired Qualifications: Knowledge and expertise of the root causes of economic instability for individuals, families, and communities, as well as demonstrated professional experience and deep understanding in racial justice work.
Leadership and team management skills that guide staff to aim for excellence through active participation in a collaborative and team-oriented culture.
Track record of effectively building strategic alliances and partnerships on behalf of an organization.
Experience developing strategies and action plans that support a bold mission.
Strong project management skills; ability to drive simultaneous, complex projects to measurable success and to oversee a comprehensive team strategy.
Comfort navigating and serving as a leader in a time of organizational change.
An entrepreneurial approach to impact, including a demonstrated ability to forge dynamic partnerships and coalitions and to drive growth.
Understanding of grassroots and movement-building work.
Experience using external communications to engage communities and stakeholders in a mission.
Experience using quantitative and qualitative data/information to both tell a story and evaluate success.
At least seven years of senior management experience.
Connections in/understanding of the Greater Washington region is preferred, but not necessary.
Personal Characteristics and Values: Creative, energetic, and optimistic approach to work and leadership.
Deep passion for and commitment to honest and candid conversations and self-reflection about race, racial justice, and equity.
Transparent, humble, and collaborative leadership style with Board, staff, grantees, and other stakeholders; ability to interact with empathy and a sense of humor.
Extremely high capacity to manage one’s own emotions and to identify the emotions of others in order to support staff and to facilitate challenging and courageous conversations about race/racism and other topics.
An open-minded listener who seeks and values a range of viewpoints but is also comfortable making a final decision.
Interest in contributing to a workplace that prizes optimistic spirit and fun.
An analytical thinker who can develop and apply strategy using a thoughtful and inclusive approach.
Enthusiasm for organizational change and patience to serve as a leader in the change process.
Ability to travel nationally approximately four times per year.
Compensation: The Meyer Foundation offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience.
Contact: Molly Brennan and Melissa Madzel of Koya Leadership Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role, please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.
The Meyer Foundation deeply values and is committed to the recruitment and retention of individuals of underrepresented backgrounds, including race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. In that spirit, the Meyer Foundation strongly encourages and welcomes applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ applicants, and others that will contribute to staff diversity.

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