SVP AARP Foundation Programs

AARP • Washington, DC

12h • Hybrid

About The Position

AARP Foundation is the nation's leading organization serving the 39 million older adults living in poverty or one life event away from slipping into it. Our mission is to strengthen financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems. We do this by creating pathways to quality employment, removing barriers to benefits, and promoting equitable access to essential goods and services. The Senior Vice President, Foundation Programs leads the design, implementation, and continuous optimization of AARP Foundation programs. Reporting to the Foundation's President and serving as a member of the Leadership Team, this role is pivotal to the successful execution of the organization's 2030 strategy. Overseeing our largest internal team and over 30,000 volunteers, the SVP Programs will be an operationally sophisticated people leader, with a deep commitment to reducing barriers to opportunity and creating pathways to prosperity. Owns and evolves a program portfolio that currently reaches more than _ million people annually, with a focus on deepening impact and ensuring programs remain effective and forward-looking. Builds and sustains partnerships with federal and state agencies, foundations, corporations, and national nonprofits. Collaborates closely with stakeholders across the Foundation, AARP, and AARP Services Inc. to ensure programmatic work is well-integrated, strategically aligned, and effectively resourced. Sets the vision and standards that guide staff and volunteers in advancing the Foundation's mission.

Requirements

• Minimum of 20+ years of progressively senior experience leading large, complex programs, including oversight of senior leaders and large, geographically dispersed teams.
• Exceptional people leader with a track record of recruiting, developing, and retaining senior talent, and fostering high-performing teams across large, matrixed organizations.
• Demonstrated experience managing and scaling national or multi‑site programs with significant operational complexity, including direct services programs serving tens or hundreds of thousands of participants.
• Proven success overseeing large, multi‑year budgets and complex funding streams, including significant federal grants (e.g., $80M+), with deep understanding of compliance, reporting, and risk management requirements.
• Ability to balance long‑term strategic vision with strong execution discipline, including attention to detail, sound governance, and operational excellence across complex portfolios.
• Demonstrated comfort with impact measurement, data‑informed decision‑making, and evaluating success and failure to refine strategy, investments, and program direction over time.
• Substantive experience working on issues such as poverty, food insecurity, economic justice, or related anti‑poverty initiatives—beyond direct service delivery to address systemic drivers of need.
• A demonstrated learning mindset characterized by humility, curiosity, and the ability to test, adapt, and pivot strategies in response to new data, evidence, and changing conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain high-value partnerships with federal and state agencies, foundations, corporations, and national nonprofits, including navigating complex multi-stakeholder relationships.
• Track record of making thoughtful, high‑stakes decisions about where and how to invest resources, including clear rationale for prioritization, trade‑offs, and program evolution in complex environments.
• Regular and reliable job attendance
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
• Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions

Nice To Haves

• AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.

Responsibilities

• Leads and motivates the program vice presidents, directors, and their respective teams to identify potential scalable solutions to address the needs of the low-income 50+ population.
• Provides oversight and leadership for all Foundation programs including the development and expansion of large-scale, nationwide programs with clearly defined and measurable outcomes.
• Fosters integration and teamwork across all Foundation program areas and expert units. Fosters teamwork and collaboration with key partners across the organization to ensure that all activities are integrated and well supported.
• Partners with the program staff and the Foundation’s development department to integrate a process for program development and opportunities for philanthropic activity by foundations, corporations, organizations, and individuals. Supports funding efforts, cultivates new prospects, and maintains high-level engagement with existing funders.
• Ensures the development and achievement of dashboard and strategic plan goals.
• Understands and applies evaluation methodologies and approaches and works closely with the Foundation strategy and innovation team in developing annual goals.
• Coaches and provides direct supervision to professional and support staff and demonstrates the Foundation’s core values and operating principles.
• Maintains proper budget, financial, and internal control oversight of complex funding streams including federal, state, and private funding. Ensures program staff demonstrates an understanding of the Foundation’s policies and procedures and Code of Conduct.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 100% company-funded pension plan
• health, dental, and vision plans
• life insurance
• paid time off to include company and individual holidays, vacation, sick, caregiving, and parental leave
• performance-based and peer-based recognition
• tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees