Managing Director, Strategy & Community Impact

Greater Washington Community Foundation • Washington, DC

1d

About The Position

The Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF) is seeking a Managing Director, Strategy & Community Impact to work closely with and help shape the vision of the President & CEO. This role is crucial for charting new strategy and advancing current priorities, such as closing the region's wealth gap, countering the impact of federal policy, and increasing philanthropic capital to communities in need. The position offers a significant opportunity to influence the region's most pressing issues by providing strategic leadership for GWCF's programmatic work, including regional geography, donor-directed and discretionary funding, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team and a thought partner to the CEO, the Managing Director will translate strategic vision into a coordinated portfolio of investments, initiatives, and partnerships, and contribute their own ideas for the organization's future direction. Internally, this role involves leading a high-performing Community Investment team responsible for donor-directed and discretionary funds, key initiatives, strategic partnerships, and the growth of the DC-based fundholder portfolio. Externally, the Managing Director will serve as an ambassador to community leaders, funders, policymakers, and business leaders, with the latitude to identify emerging issues and propose GWCF's response. All roles at GWCF are expected to contribute to the organization's overall success, which may include taking on tasks outside their standard responsibilities, participating in organization-wide initiatives, or supporting colleagues as needed.

Requirements

• Master's degree preferred in public policy, public administration, nonprofit management, philanthropy, business administration, or a related field — or equivalent experience.
• 8–10+ years of senior leadership experience in a community foundation, private foundation, nonprofit, public sector, or similarly complex organization.
• Proven success in strategic partnerships, fundraising, and business development, aligning philanthropic resources with organizational and community priorities.
• Strong grasp of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, with the ability to drive systems-level, community change.
• Deep knowledge of the Greater Washington region's political, social, and philanthropic landscape.
• Track record of translating strategy into measurable outcomes and leading high-performing teams.
• Skilled at launching new initiatives and negotiating partnerships, contracts, and business agreements.
• Excellent executive presence and communication skills, with experience engaging boards, funders, and public officials.
• Strong relationship-building, judgment, and adaptability, with a deep commitment to people, planet, and possibility.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership for the community investment portfolio, identifying emerging needs and opportunities to deepen regional impact.
• Serves as thought partner to the CEO in shaping organizational strategy — including surfacing new ideas and helping think through the big-picture questions facing the region.
• Oversees strategic priorities and influences all grantmaking, including internally led funds, donor partnerships, and discretionary resources.
• Manages the team and budget in line with organizational priorities.
• Leverages grantmaking, convening, advocacy, and influence to advance priorities and respond to emerging challenges.
• Tracks policy developments and partners with the organization’s lobbying firm to advance aligned priorities.
• Supports the Board of Trustees Community Investment Committee in its advisory capacity to The Community Foundation.
• Represents the organization with community leaders, funders, and policymakers.
• Leads new business development — Philanthropic Advisory Services, government partnerships, donor engagement — to grow the organization’s philanthropic portfolio.
• Drives regional alignment across all four jurisdictions, with particular focus on growing the DC-based fundholder portfolio.
• Builds strategic partnerships and funder collaboratives that attract resources and advance shared priorities.
• Cultivates relationships with funders, government, nonprofit, and business leaders to deepen impact and influence.
• Convenes cross-sector leaders to align resources and catalyze collective action.
• Identifies and champions new efforts where the organization can lead — bringing forward proposals, not just executing on existing ones.
• Partners with Development and Donor Services to cultivate support and connect donor investments with community needs.
• Partners with Marketing & Communications to elevate the organization’s visibility through thought leadership and storytelling.
• Sets priorities and direction for the Community Investment team in line with The Community Foundation’s mission.
• Builds a high-performing team grounded in accountability, learning, and community-centered practice.
• Maintains accountability for team performance and impact, equipping leaders to advance the work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive