The Organization
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a leading philanthropic force helping communities create the conditions children need to thrive and the nation’s fifth largest foundation, is seeking nominations and applications for Director in the area of Racial Equity and Community Engagement. In recent years, the foundation has sharpened its focus on improving conditions for vulnerable children, concentrating on three key factors of success and their intersections: education and learning; food, health and well-being; and family economic security.
Given that a disproportionate number of vulnerable children in our society are children of color, as a consequence of both the legacy of this nation’s history of racial oppression and the structural racism that continues to permeate systems and institutions, both racial healing work and the dismantling of structural racism at the local-level are key ingredients in any effort to, as the foundation’s mission statement reads, “propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.” Thus, the foundation has made a commitment to being an effective anti-racist organization, actively pursuing racial equity through healing efforts and the eradication of structural racism as an explicit approach of its programming. Moreover, the foundation recognizes that sustainable racial equity work replies upon the wisdom and leadership that exists in all local communities. This role leverages the natural relationship between racial equity and community engagement to intensify this commitment.
Position Overview
The Director, Racial Equity and Community Engagement will provide oversight for the execution of the grant portfolio and communicate and align the strategic direction of programming. S/he will play an active role in advising on the integration of community engagement and racial equity concepts into all aspects of the foundation’s program strategy. The Director will stay abreast of innovations in racial equity dialogue occurring at the national level and the potential application for WKKF’s programs and partnerships. S/he will interface internally with the newly-launched Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation enterprise (TRHT) to ensure appropriate collaborations and support for both national and local TRHT activities. The Director will assume responsibility for developing and maintaining strategic external partnerships with colleague foundations, businesses, governmental agencies, and other key decision-makers to further the foundation’s mission to bring sustainable improvement to communities. S/he will be responsible for identifying and supporting efforts that emphasize authentic civic and community engagement to promote racial healing and racial equity.
The successful Director will be an interdisciplinary thinker with a current understanding of and experience leading racial healing and justice efforts in a community-based context as well as perspective on the related national and regional policies and systems. S/he will have knowledge of the broad social and economic forces affecting communities and families and significant experience supporting community mobilization and civic engagement actions for racial equity and/or social justice.
An ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability to oversee the implementation of effective programs, and the skill to facilitate productive dialogue within diverse communities and settings. S/he will bring a national network of contacts and be a seasoned leader, team-builder, and problem-solver. S/he will have significant experience managing an experienced and diverse team and working in close partnership with senior decision-makers. The candidate will have a thorough knowledge of systems change, and the sound judgment and demonstrated ability to identify and orchestrate levers of change. S/he will have the capacity, skill and previous experience to assume leadership and management of an extraordinary team in implementing this work as well as a high tolerance for ambiguity, the ability to welcome and adapt quickly to change, and success working effectively with persons from various cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree and substantial work and leadership experience in fields related to racial equity and community engagement, along with a comprehensive understanding of program design, development and management.
For a detailed position description, please visit: http://nonprofitprofessionals.com/job/wkkf-drece/ More information about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation may be found at http://www.wkkf.org.
This search is being conducted with the assistance of Allison Kupfer Poteet, Callie Carroll and Erica Nicole Griffin of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group.
Due to the pace of this search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history and where you learned of the position should be sent to: WKKF-DRECE@nonprofitprofessionals.com. In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.