Brooklyn, New York

Vice President of Programs and Partnerships, Brooklyn Community Foundation
The Organization

Brooklyn Community Foundation is seeking a Vice President of Programs and Partnerships to join its senior team.  She/he/they will manage all of the Foundation’s grant programs, create a concrete advocacy agenda and serve as a strategic partner both internally and externally to advance the Foundation’s mission and growth.

The ideal candidate will have a strong non-profit and/or philanthropy background, as well as strong management skills and a penchant for collaboration across the organization and with external stakeholders.  We are seeking a leader who is passionate about community empowerment and racial justice.  The Vice President of Programs and Partnerships will be an innovator who is comfortable working closely with the Foundation’s dynamic Board of Directors, grantee partners, funders, as well as donors, public officials and businesses throughout Brooklyn and beyond.

 

We seek a visionary and ambitious leader who is capable of both creative and strategic thinking.  She/he/they will value an opportunity to work collaboratively, both internally and externally, and to shape the Foundation’s vision as it builds assets for the community and moves into its second decade.

 

About the Foundation

Brooklyn Community Foundation is the first and only public foundation solely dedicated to New York City’s largest borough. We are on a mission to spark lasting social change, mobilizing people, capital, and expertise for a fair and just Brooklyn.

Since its founding in 2009, Brooklyn Community Foundation has provided over $40 million in grants to more than 300 nonprofits through its Community Fund and Donor Advised Fund program. The Foundation’s innovative community-led approach stems from Brooklyn Insights, a project that engaged nearly 1,000 residents across Brooklyn. In 2015, the Foundation won the prestigious Impact Award from National Committee for Response Philanthropy for this work.

The Foundation is at an exciting stage. In 2018, the Foundation broke all historic records and raised over $16.5 million in Field of Interest, Donor Advised, and unrestricted contributions.  In addition, the Foundation made over $7 million in grants through donor directed, community led, and staff led initiatives. We’re excited to welcome a new team member to grow with us.

Visit www.BrooklynCommunityFoundation.org for more information.

Position Overview

Position Overview

The Vice President of Programs and Partnerships reports directly to the President & CEO and manages a team of two (2) Program Officers. The Vice President of Programs is responsible for strategic planning for all community leadership initiatives including the Foundations’ grant making, as well as developing a strong advocacy effort to effect change on a more systemic level. Working closely with the Foundation’s team of 10 full-time staff, a growing Board of Directors, and external partners, he/she/they shapes the Foundation’s program strategies and assessment measures, determines staffing and budget allocations, and ensures successful realization of approved program designs. The Vice President of Programs serves as a member of the Foundation’s senior management team, working with other team members on overall strategy, policymaking, and management.  Together with other staff, the Vice President of Programs represents the Foundation in regional and national discussions on effective philanthropy, resident engagement, racial justice, and related issues.

Responsibilities

Planning & Program Design

·         Partner with the program staff,  President, and relevant board members on shaping and implementing a multi-year program plan for grantmaking, advocacy, and leadership initiatives, building on findings and recommendations from community input and feedback processes.

·         Work closely with relevant staff, grantees, and board members to determine the measures of success, assessment methods and milestones, and develop systems and stories to demonstrate our impact.

·         Oversee Program timetables, staffing, and budget to implement strategic plan each year.

Program implementation

·         Manage the process of creating guidelines for grant programs and processes for soliciting and fairly evaluating grant applications, including outside advisors and peer panels.

·         Manage grant review processes for each grant program.

·         With program team conduct site visits, monitor grants and distill relevant information on grant outcomes.

·         Collaborate with team members across organization to shape capacity building for grantees.

·         Define and shape plans for strategic leadership initiatives, including goals, administrative structures, timetables, staffing and budgets.

·         Oversee successful execution of leadership initiatives, collaborating with key stakeholders.

Staff Management

·         Supervise two (2) Program Officers, select consultants, and interns, building a skilled, high-functioning team for the Foundation’s grant programs and leadership initiatives, as well as serving as advisor to donors collectively making $4M+ (and growing) in grants from Donor Advised Funds.

Board Management

·         Manage the Program Committee in their efforts to oversee the strategic vision and program outcomes of the Foundation.

·         Work closely with Board of Directors to engage them in program activity and planning.

Fundraising & Communications

·         Work closely with relevant staff in cultivating and managing strategic external partnerships.

·         Collaborate with the President and relevant staff on identifying fundraising prospects for key initiatives, and participating in the stewardship of these prospects.

·         Specifically, collaborate with the Vice President of Communications and Strategy on marketing and communications strategies to ensure visibility for programs and to position Foundation as a philanthropic leader in Brooklyn and beyond.

·         Work with the Vice President of Communications on appropriate public communications regarding grant decisions, policy positions, and thought leadership around giving in Brooklyn and other related topics.

·         Seek out speaking opportunities for self and relevant staff to ensure a thought leadership role for the Foundation.

·         Work with the Development team to initiate programming and strategies to move DAF funding to community funding and create opportunities for potential and existing Foundation donors.

Required Skills and Abilities:

·         Entrepreneurial and strategic leader

·         Experience with advocacy, grant making, and other strategies that promote social change and equity

·         Strong supervisory and leadership skills

·         Strong understanding of Brooklyn demographics and non-profits

·         Passionate and knowledgeable about racial justice with strong understanding of the various interconnected issues that impact historically disinvested communities

·         Experience maintaining and cultivating relationships with public officials and agencies

·         Demonstrated project management skills with ability to manage multiple projects at the same time

·         Energetic and creative thinker who makes connections across sectors, cultures and fields of practice

·         Promotes a learning orientation with humility and input from community stakeholders

·         Excellent collaboration skills, consensus builder

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills that effectively engage a broad and diverse audience

·         Diplomacy, discretion, and sound judgment

·         Flexibility and enthusiastic team player

Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s degree minimum

·         10+ years’ experience in non-profit and/or philanthropy, including strategic planning, advocacy/policy, community organizing, program design and management, and program evaluation

·         Relevant experience in business or for-profit may be considered

·         Experience fundraising is a plus

How To Apply

This is a full-time, senior position located in Brooklyn, NY that occasionally requires early morning, evening, and weekend work. The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package, which includes generous paid time off, employer-paid health and dental insurance, and friendly work environment.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Brooklyn Community Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In alignment with its Racial Justice Lens, the Foundation is committed to maintaining a diverse staff and lifting up the leadership of people from communities historically underrepresented in philanthropy. Additionally, the Foundation does not base any hiring decisions on an applicant’s history of involvement in the criminal justice system.

Email cover letter and résumé to search@brooklyncommunityfoundation.org (no reference letters or phone calls please!) and please list Vice President of Programs in the Subject line.

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