Executive Director: Vivo Foundation

Flexibly Focused•Chicago, IL

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Established in 2021, Vivo Foundation is a family foundation dedicated to advancing educational equity and opportunity across Chicago and Lake County. Vivo works across the education continuum, supporting initiatives that expand access to high-quality learning and unlock human potential while addressing broader conditions that enable young people to thrive. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, we make strategic investments in academic development, systems capacity building, the arts, experiential learning, violence reduction, and mental health and wellbeing. At Vivo, we are passionate about pursuing bold, creative initiatives that deepen impact, strengthen partnerships, and pioneer unique approaches to create lasting change for the people and communities we serve.

Requirements

Significant leadership experience (10+ years) in philanthropy, nonprofit management, education, and/or public service.
Exceptional communication, team management, and project management skills.
Excellent judgement, an entrepreneurial mindset, intellectual curiosity, and the utmost discretion.
Flexibility, responsiveness, creativity, and a can-do attitude are highly valued.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with a family or private foundation is preferred.
Knowledge of Chicago and Lake County’s nonprofit, philanthropic, civic, and education landscape.

Responsibilities

In partnership with the Founders, lead the evolution and expansion of Vivo’s strategy, priorities, and approach to innovation.
As an expert on emerging trends, policies, and best practices, identify opportunities to advance Vivo’s mission and champion the implementation of new initiatives.
Translate the vision and decisions into clear priorities, execution plans, and measurable progress.
Lead a cohesive, high impact grantmaking process.
Ensure that high-quality data along with field insights and practical knowledge inform decisions.
Develop clear recommendations for a thoughtful, disciplined, and mission-aligned portfolio.
Cultivate trusting relationships with nonprofit leaders, peer funders, community partners, and government stakeholders to further organizational goals and expand our impact.
Manage, motivate, and develop the Foundation’s team.
Cultivate a collaborative, enthusiastic, trusting, and highly productive environment.
Lead and enhance Vivo’s operating model.
Ensure operations are compliant, efficient, and aligned with organizational priorities.
Work closely with the family office, particularly the Chief Financial Officer, on applicable financial, legal, tax, human resources, technology, and administrative matters.
Working closely with the Founders and team, manage the launch, and early operations of a new public art space in Chicago. This includes oversight of the strategy, operating plan, staffing, governance, budgeting, community engagement, programming, communications, and partnerships.
Recruit and onboard a dedicated Project Director and support the transition of day-to-day responsibility to that leader while maintaining appropriate executive oversight.
Identify opportunities for additional Foundation-led initiatives that support the mission and create meaningful impact.
Draw on personal experience and networks to turn ideas into successful endeavors.
Distill complex information into concise, decision-ready materials.
Oversee key internal and external communications, including Board materials, newsletters and LinkedIn content, while respecting the Founders' preference for privacy.
Provide open, direct, and timely communication with internal and external partners to ensure organizational alignment and authentic relationships.
With the Founders, engage the Advisory Board in Vivo’s work through meaningful learning, participation, and next-generation philanthropic engagement.
Oversee discretionary grant allocations from the Trustees, Advisory Board, and staff of the Foundation and family office.
Coordinate personal giving outside the Foundation.