Vice President of Programs – Remote

Job Title: Vice President of Programs (2
positions)
Reports to (Title): President
Department: Programs
Employment Classification: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Base Annual Compensation Range: The full-time
salary range for this role is between $175,000 – $263,000, with
exact salary depending on experience, and new staff rarely start at
the top of the range.
Location: Remote

About Borealis Philanthropy
From Black-led movement-building, to queer and trans liberation, to
disability justice and inclusion, community organizers are working
every day to bring about transformational change. Borealis
Philanthropy exists to listen to, invest in, and support them. Our
staff of experts come from the communities we serve, and bring
their lived experiences, values, and visions to the work of
supporting community-driven change through grantee and funder
collaboration.

As a philanthropic intermediary, Borealis Philanthropy builds
bridges between funders and organizers by creating opportunities
for impact-driven investments. We team with funders to conceive,
develop, and implement grantmaking initiatives that resource the
many innovative organizations within each of our respective
grantmaking funds. In partnering with philanthropy, we remove
barriers to funding for grassroots organizations and invest in
intersectional movements building a future that serves all of
us.

Where We Are
While Borealis Philanthropy has been quite public
about what
we believe it takes to fund transformational change as a
social justice intermediary, we know the reality that it is rare
for intermediaries like ours to consistently be set up for long
term success and sustainability.

As Borealis Philanthropy enters our tenth year of partnering
with funders and movement leaders and organizers to build the
liberatory future we believe possible, we
are leaning more deeply into our theory of change, and
intentionally investing in the next decade of resourcing justice
movements by building an infrastructure to actualize our
organizational potential.

Our Values
Alchemy + Healing, Atrevida + Audacity, Accountability + Integrity,
Ubuntu + Interconnectedness

Job Overview
Borealis Philanthropy seeks two dynamic
and visionary Vice Presidents to co-lead our programmatic efforts.
The ideal candidates will possess a unique blend of strategic
thinking, grantmaking expertise, leadership skills, and a
commitment to intersectional equity, and racial and social justice.
They will also bring a strong orientation around and practice in
movement strategy, possess deep experience in equity- and
community-centered grantmaking practice, and understand the
strategy of managing and sustaining large-scale philanthropic
intermediary institutions. These Vice Presidents will play a
pivotal role in shaping the organization’s programs, fostering
collaboration, and driving impactful change through a restorative
and forward-thinking lens. They will additionally play central
roles as collaborators to the organization’s President and
Executive Leadership Team in leading Borealis Philanthropy through
a critical period of growth and expansion.

The Vice Presidents provide senior leadership and strategic
oversight for all grantmaking and movement support efforts within
Borealis. They are responsible for establishing department-wide
policies and standards, leading strategic planning and critical
decision-making, selecting and overseeing fund directors and
program managers, managing budgets, approving major expenditures,
and maintaining strategic partnerships. The Vice Presidents will
also be responsible for the successful implementation of a new
program leadership structure and for ensuring that the
organization’s grantmaking and movement support activities are
delivered effectively and efficiently.

As key members of Borealis’ Senior Leadership Team, the Vice
Presidents of Programs will work closely with colleagues, including
the President, Chief of Staff, Vice President of Finance and
Operation and Vice President of Advancement, to develop the
organization’s strategic vision and priorities, to respond in a
timely manner to organizational opportunities and challenges, to
ensure greater collaboration between teams and departments, and to
promote a healthy, safe, and diverse workplace where Borealis
employees can thrive within a culture of care. Senior leaders are
expected to work actively to balance the needs and priorities of
their assigned department(s) with those of the organization as a
whole and Borealis’ diverse network of partner donors, grantees,
movement leaders, and other organizational stakeholders.

The ideal candidates for these positions will bring a passionate
commitment to social justice and racial equity, high emotional
intelligence, a proven track record of effective relationship- and
team building, as well as strong experience in program design,
management, and assessment within a philanthropic institution. They
will be strategic thinkers with the ability to think outside the
box and come up with creative solutions to
complex problems.

Responsibilities

Cultivates & Leads the Program Team

• Lead the Program Team into the future with a bold and visionary
  approach. Inspire and motivate team members to embrace innovation
  and solutions-oriented and forward-thinking strategies.
• Provide inspirational leadership both internally – across
  multiple teams and departments, and externally – across multiple
  sectors and stakeholder groups.
• Serve as a vocal and empathetic advocate on behalf of members
  of the Borealis’ team and support leaders, organizations,
  coalitions and Movements.
• Ensure the transition to the newly approved program leadership
  structure, including the assignment of management and supervisory
  responsibilities.
• Develop an annual overall workplan for the program department
  to set strategic priorities, promote cross-team collaboration, and
  identify and approve new initiatives.
• Lead and facilitate regular meetings with individual program
  leads as well as the program leadership team as a whole.
• Design, implement, and evaluate new programs and initiatives to
  support the growth and expansion of the Programs Department.
• Develop and oversee evaluation and assessment tools and
  processes to measure program effectiveness and outcomes.

Strategy, Program Development & Program
Support

• Oversee and support the strategic development of an assigned
  cohort of 4-5 collaborative funds in alignment with Borealis’
  organizational priorities and mission.
• Shape the development of and contribute to the management of
  Borealis’ programmatic strategy and annual departmental budget and
  work plan.
• Review and approve all grants generated from their respective
  cohort of funds.
• Troubleshoot emergent issues and challenges in the work, taking
  on a solutions-oriented and restorative approach to issue
  resolution.
• Stay informed on emerging trends, and scan for gaps and
  opportunities in supported funding strategies and initiatives.
• Manage strategic partnerships with key stakeholders such as
  donors and grantees to assess developments in the field and
  strategic points for philanthropic engagement and partnership.
• Contribute to the continuous learning, evaluation, and feedback
  of supported Funds, using findings to inform improvement, planning,
  and future investment.
• Strategically think about how to evolve and sharpen grantmaking
  strategies to move the work of Borealis and support Movements
  forward.

Internal Staff Development, Support &
Supervision

• Demonstrate inclusive leadership while managing and providing
  support to an assigned cohort of 4-5 Fund Directors and 1-2 direct
  reports focused on cross-fund capacity building and Movement
  Support.
• Serve as a champion of, internal advocate for, and supporter to
  Fund Directors and Program Team members.
• Deliver as-needed coaching and advice to Fund Directors to
  support them in meeting their desired goals and objectives.
• Work in partnership with the Director of People of Culture and
  Executive Team to fund, organize, and broker staff access to
  responsive professional development and growth opportunities.

Cross-Fund Capacity Building & Movement
Support

• Oversee and support the design, assessment, and implementation
  of successful capacity-building partnerships and initiatives.
• Co-lead the development of a short and long-term vision and
  strategic plan for Borealis’ Movement Infrastructure and Capacity
  Building initiatives.
• Monitor partnerships with outside organizations, consultants,
  and leaders in support of Borealis’ cross-fund capacity building
  and movement infrastructure agenda.

Team, Departmental, and Organizational
Collaboration

• Foster a culture of collaboration, mutual care, and support
  among Funds and Program Team members.
• Develop and maintain strong, positive, and collaborative
  working relationships with other Borealis operational departments
  and external teams.
• Work in partnership with the Program Team members, the
  Executive Team, and Communications Department to develop content
  for annual forums, conferences, publications, and convenings.
• In partnership with the Development Department, support donor
  cultivation and department-wide campaigns and fundraising
  activities.
• Represent the Program Team at meetings with other internal
  departments, strategic partners, and other outside
  funders/entities.

Board Management

• Partner with the President in managing program-related
  activities of the Board of Directors.
• Identify opportunities for the Board to learn about
  programmatic work and champion it in the sector and throughout
  their networks.

Other Duties

• Submit and approve expense reports and approve timecards by
  stated deadlines.
• Attend all staff meetings and required trainings and
  events.
• Participate in organizational development and change processes,
  including serving on committees or special project teams.
• Model Borealis’ culture and values; align outcomes, practices,
  and communications within the organization’s culture.
• Manage special projects and other duties as assigned.

 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with ten (10) years leading programs in
  nonprofit and philanthropic entities.
• Five (5) years in philanthropy as a grantmaker in-field or
  within social movements preferred.
• Five (5) years of experience leading and supervising
  staff.
• Five (5) years of fundraising experience.
• Experience using systems and tools such as Salesforce, Zoom,
  Google Suite, Slack, Asana.

 

Competencies

• Proven track record of leading people and processes within
  complex organizations, including managing teams to successfully
  reach their performance goals.
• Demonstrated success in remote and diverse work
  environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, iteratively and
  creatively with a diverse set of stakeholders, to co-create
  processes and solutions that meet the needs of the organization, as
  well as our grantee and donor partners.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, energy, and
  enthusiasm with the ability to build long-term relationships and
  represent the organization to external audiences.
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills, including
  the ability to write and present materials to a diverse set of
  audiences.
• Demonstrated flexibility, self-awareness, professional
  integrity and cultural competence – including commitment to
  Borealis’ values, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, solution development, and
  analytical skills.
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and to think conceptually,
  strategically, and learn quickly.
• Ability to meet deadlines, adhere to project plans, and work on
  several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to identify and mitigate risks to the program.

 

Work Environment (Conditions and Physical
Demands)
This job operates in a professional, virtual, home office or
co-working environment, with local and national travel. In line
with Borealis’ commitments to racial equity and disability justice,
our current policy is that no staff member travel or attendance at
in-person meetings is required at this time. If team members are
interested in attending in-person events, Borealis will, as needed,
work to make reasonable accommodations to ensure their health and
safety.This role routinely uses
standard office equipment, including a laptop computer and cell
phone. The employee is generally required to spend long periods of
time sitting, typing, and working at a computer. May require the
ability to occasionally lift and transport items. Accommodations
will be made based on ability and accessibility.

Commitment to Disability, Diversity, Equity, &
Inclusion
Borealis is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified
individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that
persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.
If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job
application or interview process, please contact hr@borealisphilanthropy.org.
Borealis is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate
on the basis of race, sex, religion, national origin, gender
identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any
other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. We are
committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive staff
team. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color,
LGBTQ, women, trans and gender non- conforming people, people with
disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated people.

To Apply
Please submit a resume with a cover letter that incorporates
answers to the three questions below. Applications will be reviewed
on a rolling basis until positions are
filled. Priority deadline for applications is July 25,
2024.

1. Why are you interested in working for a philanthropic
intermediary that centers racial equity and the intersections with
class, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability?

2. How do the above values connect to your own lived
experience?

3. How would you build community/develop relationships with
different constituencies (staff colleagues and/or grant
applicants and/or grantees and/or donors) in a national
fully remote environment? Please try to make your answer as
specific as possible to the work of the department to which you are
applying.