Director, Systems Change
Battle Creek, Michigan
To read the full position description and review application instructions, click download.
Website: W.K. Kellogg Foundation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a leading national philanthropy helping communities create the conditions children need to thrive, is seeking nominations and applications for a Director of Systems Change. In recent years, the foundation has sharpened its focus on improving conditions for vulnerable children. Systems Change investments constitute the foundation’s national body of work that advances the mission of the foundation in three key focus areas: thriving children, working families, and equitable communities.
Working in close partnership with the Vice President for Program Strategy, the director will oversee the foundation’s work to influence and promote conditions that lead to transformational and structural change for children and families. This work includes strategy implementation; priority setting; collaboration and knowledge sharing across the foundation with other directors; and relationship development with grantees, external partners and stakeholders.
The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with deep knowledge of the role philanthropy can and should play in systems change, including and especially the dismantling of structural racism. He/she/they will have significant experience in grantmaking strategy with a specialty in content areas that target the wellbeing of children. Economic equity, food systems, education quality and health equity are preferred areas of expertise grounded in the foundation’s DNA of community engagement, leadership and racial equity. The new director will also be a seasoned manager skilled in empowering highly talented individuals to seek out innovative ways to drive toward the mission. He/she/they will also have experience in program alignment and evaluation and will leverage their expertise into knowledge sharing opportunities across the foundation.
Success in this role requires significant leadership experience (10+ years) in regional or national grantmaking, an anti-racist approach to the work of grantmaking and a demonstrated knowledge of and appreciation for emergent trends in grantmaking. The ideal candidate will be an innovative, energetic leader, who is excited about the opportunity to balance work as a senior manager, strategist and thought-partner. He/she/they will be a talented communicator who is able to build rapport, trust and transparency internally and externally. The director will build positive relationships especially among the grantmaking team while acting as a bridge between program staff and senior leadership. He/she/they will be a strong public communicator who seeks knowledge, first and foremost, from grantees but also engages in thought-partnership with national partners and stakeholders.
TO APPLY
More information about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation may be found at wkkf.org.
Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word or PDF format), and where you learned of the position should be sent to:
WKKF-DSC@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.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity.
Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.