Senior Director, Philanthropy Leadership Collective

Milken Institute • Full-time • Washington, District of Columbia • 4d ago

About the Milken Institute

The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.

The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.

About Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy

One of four pillars at the Milken Institute, Strategic Philanthropy advises individuals, corporations, and foundations on the most strategic ways to ensure their philanthropic investments make an equitable, transformative impact, and offers tools and recommendations for making philanthropy more effective. In addition to in-depth research, reports, and guides, we design and build programs including, funding initiatives, research collaboratives, large-scale innovation programs, and high-level events. Finally, we also foster peer learning communities to accelerate knowledge-sharing and promote partnership. Strategic Philanthropy’s three portfolio of programmatic work include SPARC (Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration), Environmental & Social innovation Philanthropy (ESI), and Philanthropy Leadership Collective (PLC).

About the Position

We are looking for a senior director to lead Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy’s PLC, which consists of peer learning groups for funders with shared interest areas or funding models. The PLC includes our Corporate Philanthropy Leadership Collective as well as our high-net worth individual and family advisory services. Our focus – regardless of the funding model – is to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of our funders’ giving to amplify their philanthropic goals. The senior director is a new role for the pillar, and, with our business development team, will grow our work across multiple programming areas and geographies across the world by demonstrating the unique value Milken Institute Strategic Philanthropy can only bring.

Responsibilities

Management
1. Build value proposition of the PLC work
2. Establish goals and metrics for the PLC portfolio
3. Oversee PLC team ensuring a strong culture and development of direct reports
4. Work across portfolios and Milken Institute to strengthen relationships and establish PLC as an asset to other Milken Institute offerings and initiatives
Community
1. Develop and coordinate PLC offering, messaging, benefits, communications, and supporting systems and structures across affinity groups
2. Develop and coordinate learning agendas aligned with community needs
3. Oversee day-to-day management of and programming for global PLC and additional, regional affinity groups
4. Working with BD, grow global affinity group and onboard new members
5. Coordinate with Milken Institute International to identify global PLC opportunities and relevant content for international audience
6. Steward existing and potential PLC relationships to ensure a consistent flow of projects
Advisory
1. Provide direct advisory to PLC members with focus on establishing high-level strategy in preparation for deep programmatic work
2. Provide foundation management services, as needed, such as board facilitation, grants management, etc.
Research & Thought Leadership
1. Develop research products that support and inform issues, questions, trends of interest to broader work of PLC
2. Inform programming for Philanthropic Investors Forum and family programming
3. Establish oneself as a subject matter regarding philanthropy for high and ultra-net worth families/individuals
4. Duties as assigned

Requirements

15+ years of relevant work experience
Graduate degree in a relevant field preferred
Deep understanding of the global philanthropy landscape, including market dynamics and key players
Recognized thought leader and expert in the field of philanthropy
Demonstrated ability to build and implement a new programmatic vision
Demonstrated ability to build engaging, sustainable communities that foster learning and action
Track record of building and managing high-performing teams with strong culture, trust, and risk-taking
Effective partnership development skills, superior communication, and ability to work with multiple, high-level internal and external stakeholders
Experience building, managing, and growing programmatic budgets
Ability to facilitate and coordinate diverse individuals to solve specific problems
High intellectual capacity that can be and has been applied to learning new areas of philanthropic investment and related fields
Strong ability to work on a fast-paced collaborative team and be independently proactive
Personal attitude that includes being entrepreneurial, action-oriented, collaborative, flexible, with a willingness to adapt to changing situations and a good sense of humor

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements

This position will work in a professional office environment on a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion.

This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.

Note

The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Our Culture

The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.

Benefits