Director, Office of the Chief Innovation Officer

Ford Foundation • New York, NY

1d • $181,000 - $200,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) seeks a Director to serve as the principal in managing and coordinating a wide range of activities and projects on behalf of the CINO. The Director serves as a strategic thought partner to and extension of the CINO, nimbly responding to opportunities and challenges while trend spotting, troubleshooting and forecasting to optimize the VP, CINO’s time, presence and resources. The Director manages and leads various special initiatives and works collaboratively teams across the foundation, including the Executive Leadership Team, to coordinate key strategic initiatives and business operations on behalf of the VP, CINO while navigating delicate contexts and environments.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience working across a wide range of populations and teams with a deep understanding of program areas being supported
• Proven ability to act as a high-level thought partner, translating visionary ideas into tangible execution and complex project implementation.
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, with the ability to assess process effectiveness and organizational management.
• Ability to use presentation and data visualization tools to transform complex information into clear, actionable reports and briefings.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to foster a healthy team culture, facilitate high-stakes meetings, and speak to large audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, tailored for engagement with senior management and global stakeholders.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across all levels of a complex, multi-functional organization.
• Self-starter with the discipline to operate independently and deliver high-quality judgment under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Ways of working and engaging that align with the Foundation’s mission, core values, and commitment to creating a culture of excellence.
• Baccalaureate degree in a related field or a record of equivalent professional experience and achievement.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in leveraging AI and emerging technologies to enhance organizational efficiency and strategic impact is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain robust systems for the smooth functioning of the Office of the CINO, including the management of both operational and programmatic budgets.
• Serve as a key partner and advisor to the Chief Innovation Officer (CINO), managing high-level priorities, gauging risks, and ensuring time and resources are deployed for maximum impact.
• Oversee the CINO’s calendar and agendas, prepare comprehensive briefing materials and decision-support tools for all internal and external engagements.
• Partner with Directors and leadership to develop and implement program strategies, ensuring deep alignment across various strategic focus areas and investments.
• Act as a proxy and representative for the CINO in leadership meetings and external forums, leading the implementation of cross-departmental initiatives.
• Collaborate with peer offices and non-programmatic departments to ensure consistent workflows and facilitate qualitative and quantitative analysis for leadership priorities.
• Contribute to the Foundation’s mission by reviewing grant proposals and managing the administrative lifecycle of the CINO’s programmatic portfolio.
• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, and analysis to track progress against goals and inform future innovation strategies.
• Partner with People and Culture to oversee hiring processes and coordinate human capital practices for the CINO’s direct reports.
• Manage high-level connectivity with outside partners, consultants, and vendors while maintaining landscape awareness on substantive matters of interest.
• Directly supervise and mentor administrative staff, ensuring high-quality support and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Benefits

• A hybrid working model and flexible work arrangement policies offer colleagues the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways and the space to maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Professional development and ample opportunities to build your expertise and expand your network
• Comprehensive benefits package designed for your well-being and work-life needs, including medical, dental, and vision benefits effective on your first day
• Generous time off, including personal, vacation, sick, extended holiday time off, and wellness days
• Generous parental leave policy, including birth, surrogacy, adoptive, foster parents, and resources for backup child and elder care that support our colleagues’ ability to attend to family responsibilities
• Comprehensive retirement benefits options (with employee and employer contributions of up to 13%), allowing you to invest in your financial future with confidence

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees