Established in 1976, MetLife Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 charitable organization. The Foundation generally makes $40 million in grants annually to drive inclusive economic mobility for people with low incomes. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed over $1 billion to strengthen communities where MetLife has a presence.
Position Overview
The Director, Corporate Giving is a key contributor within the MetLife Foundation organization to support international and domestic grantmaking. The candidate will work in partnership with the President and CEO to develop and implement strategic initiatives and special projects across the Foundation’s focus areas. This work is designed to help and strengthen nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve; reinforce the firm’s values and culture; differentiate the firm as a responsible corporate citizen; and advance recognition of the firm’s commitment to our communities.
Guided by our Purpose, “always with you, building a more confident future,” this leader will build relationships across internal teams and with our grantee partners, manage information about and from multiple program areas, creating shared processes and workflows, and leveraging knowledge shared by our partners and the field to inform how MetLife Foundation refines its work to achieve its mission.
In today’s constantly changing environment, we have an opportunity to challenge ourselves to think boldly about how to deliver greater social impact to our communities and build on our core business strengths and commitments. The successful candidate will blend energy and passion with strong business acumen and the ability to make connections across a diverse global portfolio to identify common themes for an intentional, forward-thinking approach and structured delivery for employee engagement and volunteerism. With a track record of strategically leveraging industry, community, nonprofit, and other partnerships, this person will help MetLife Foundation advocate for and achieve measurable change in communities around the globe.
Key Responsibilities:
Partner with the President and CEO to execute the grantmaking strategy across key focus areas including economic inclusion, financial health, resilient communities, technology, and society.
Collaborate with MetLife colleagues in select markets outside of the U.S. to drive international grantmaking efforts on behalf of the Foundation.
Engage with and support the President and CEO to build out and execute strategic grants and initiatives.
Lead the grantmaking process, proposal review, due diligence, grantee reports, financial analysis, and site visits where appropriate.
Manage partner and grantee relationships, engaging regularly on performance metrics and ensuring commitments are being met on both sides; provide technical assistance to grantees or recommend resources where needed.
Establish and build relationships with the field and sector, organizations, and peer funders to drive partnerships, collaboration, and contribute to the field.
Collaborate with Grants Management to study the impact of current grants and programs and assist in the development of an innovative long-term grantmaking strategy and pipeline.
Communicate with leadership across multiple business units and geographies to ensure business alignment and engagement in Foundation programs and initiatives.
Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:
Required:
Knowledge of systemic inequalities and committed to embedding income and wealth equity lens in grants.
Strong written and verbal communications skills, including experience with and/or excitement about presenting data creatively and compellingly.
Proficiency in Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Preferred:
Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience that ideally combines experience in philanthropy preferably with a large global corporation or NGO.
Flexible and eager to contribute to a new strategic approach at MetLife Foundation and lean into an “all hands-on deck” approach as responsibilities continue to be developed and refined.
Ability to work independently, prioritize work and manage multiple priorities.
A creative, strategic, and forward thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset to develop and implement new ideas, partnerships, projects, or process improvements.
Collaborator who works closely with teammates and colleagues across the enterprise; ability to work with peer funders; and build trusting relationships with grantees.
Engaged in the philanthropic landscape and current on trends and partnerships.
Ability to represent the organization with professionalism and authenticity, demonstrate thought leadership, and encourage diversity of ideas and perspectives.
Track record demonstrating sound judgement, discernment, and critical thinking skills especially when faced with new opportunities or challenges.
