Racial Justice Initiative Director

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation•Menlo Park, CA

22d•$300,000 - $400,000•Hybrid

About The Position

About the Racial Justice Initiative Though society has made progress in removing barriers that prevent everyone from having the opportunity to thrive, racial and economic injustice continues to have a disparate impact on many communities. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundations Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) recognize that, to create lasting changes on all the issues the foundation addresses, we must embrace a spirit of inclusion and be thoughtful about who we work with and how we work. RJI works to identify and promote racial justice practices to ensure all people have an equal opportunity to thrive. The strategy for the work consists of the three key objectives: Collaborate with other programs across the foundation to find opportunities to partner with RJI through jointly funded efforts. Multi-issue grants that provide resources to organizations working in two or more of Hewletts funding areas. Field-building grants that strengthen the broader ecosystem of racial justice. The strategy emphasizes generous, flexible support and strong partnerships with organizations of varying sizes. Through this approach, RJI aims to position grantee partners to drive meaningful change toward a more inclusive and healthy democracy. The RJI portfolio currently supports a diverse set of 50 nonprofit partners, the majority of which address two or more issues aligned with Hewletts other grantmaking priorities. About the Position The Racial Justice Initiative Director is a term limited role which will provide thoughtful and intentional leadership to the work and the team. The director is responsible for updating and implementing the strategy for the foundations Racial Justice Initiative through the end of 2031. At the end of the initiative period, the expectation is that important elements of the work will be incorporated into a number of Hewletts ongoing program areas. Specifically, the Racial Justice Initiative Director will: Collaborate with Hewlett staff members on updating the RJI strategy, implementing updates in the grantmaking portfolio Develop and maintain deep and trusting relationships with grantees and other partners Identify and guide potential grantees through the foundations proposal process, including its compliance-related procedures Manage grant activity, including track grantees progress, respond to financial and programmatic reports, and make decisions about grant renewals Incorporate the full range of the foundations resources grant funding, capacity building and technical assistance expertise, influence, communications, and relationships to support the racial justice field Participate as a member of the senior staff by supporting and contributing to the implementation of institutional priorities, policies and practices Organize foundation-sponsored meetings of grantees and field experts Frame, and oversee evaluations with support from the foundations evaluation officer Participate in relevant collaborations, and represent the foundation at appropriate meetings, conferences, and site visits as well as in all interactions with prospective and current grantees Partner and collaborate with internal program teams to identify opportunities for joint grantmaking opportunities Manage a small team, supporting staff to do their best work while fostering a culture in which every member of the team can be supported and empowered in their work

Requirements

Significant and distinguished work experience (ten years minimum) in fields relevant to the existing strategy and foundations priorities.
A demonstrated understanding of the racial justice landscape across the United States, including racial justice-related policies and discriminatory systems, and an understanding of how racial justice interacts with other systems.
Working knowledge of the racial justice field, to include its best, promising, and emerging practices.
Experience with technical assistance, facilitation, convening, and/or grantmaking.
Collaborative and capable of working across differences and ensuring that all team members are valued and supported.
A demonstrated willingness to adapt a strategy and approach, with the ability to adjust as necessary.
Demonstrated ability to: integrate knowledge and learning, and the capacity to effectively use research and evaluation; work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders to address complex policy and systems change challenges; and challenge conventional thinking coupled with the ability to collaborate effectively and encourage dialogue.
Strong written and oral communication skills, interpersonal awareness, and excellent listening skills; a communication style that reflects clarity, authenticity, transparency, and approachability.
Ability to travel on an as-needed basis.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Hewlett staff members on updating the RJI strategy, implementing updates in the grantmaking portfolio
Develop and maintain deep and trusting relationships with grantees and other partners
Identify and guide potential grantees through the foundations proposal process, including its compliance-related procedures
Manage grant activity, including track grantees progress, respond to financial and programmatic reports, and make decisions about grant renewals
Incorporate the full range of the foundations resources grant funding, capacity building and technical assistance expertise, influence, communications, and relationships to support the racial justice field
Participate as a member of the senior staff by supporting and contributing to the implementation of institutional priorities, policies and practices
Organize foundation-sponsored meetings of grantees and field experts
Frame, and oversee evaluations with support from the foundations evaluation officer
Participate in relevant collaborations, and represent the foundation at appropriate meetings, conferences, and site visits as well as in all interactions with prospective and current grantees
Partner and collaborate with internal program teams to identify opportunities for joint grantmaking opportunities
Manage a small team, supporting staff to do their best work while fostering a culture in which every member of the team can be supported and empowered in their work