Position:

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Overview:

Believing that education is the great equalizer, the Edwin Gould Foundation provides support for innovative organizations that create bold, best-in-class solutions to increase the number of college graduates from under-resourced communities. Edwin Gould is deeply concerned that America has lost its standing as the number one producer of college graduates and that every year in America there are 1.5 million students in the top half of their high school who can but don’t earn a college degree.  The Edwin Gould Foundation seeds and grows educational models that empower motivated, yet underserved students to enter college, graduate and advance society.  With an endowment of $70 million and a budget approaching $5 million, Edwin Gould has been successful in leveraging its resources yielding an additional $25 million for grantees over the past few years. Grantees include the Breakthrough Collaborative, Citizen Schools, Generation Schools and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity. By leveraging their investments and creating long-term, intimate relationships with their grantees Edwin Gould helps produce more college graduates, builds a stronger workforce and makes the American Dream possible for more of the nation’s youth.

Position:

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Vice President will join the senior leadership team as a strategic thought partner seeding and growing educational models that empower motivated, yet underserved students.  The Foundation differentiates itself as a catalyst, building collaborative external relationships that generate funding partners in support of its mission and of organizations committed to that mission.  Developing these relationships and effectively linking them as collaborators and as funders will be the direct responsibility of the Vice President. Representing the Foundation at conferences, on regional committees and associations, and in public dialogue, the Vice President will promote the Foundation’s mission and influence public policy. The Vice President will lead the grant management function working closely with grantees, providing technical assistance including board development and fundraising and helping to grow a dynamic, high-performing portfolio of grantee organizations.  The Vice President will also leverage success, build public awareness and generate increased support and endorsement.

Responsibilities:

External Relations and Public Policy Leadership
• Work closely with the senior leadership team to develop and implement effective external relationships that generate funding partners in support of the Foundation’s mission and organizations committed to that mission
• Lead key public advocacy efforts to promote awareness of the issues and best practices in the field, including representing the Foundation through speaking engagements and presentations, published written work, committee membership, and convening and participating in meetings and conferences
• Leverage members of the Grants Committee and Board of Directors to build a prominent and effective network of advisors and experts including grant makers, political and educational leaders, media, and program specialists to engage in Foundation initiatives
• Conduct strategic analyses of the field to determine opportunities for Foundation impact
• Develop systems for managing relationships and navigating channels of communications; responsibilities include developing print materials and internet-based mechanisms that forward the mission and work of the Foundation

Grants Management
• Manage the Foundation’s grant making program, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and outcomes within the framework established by the Strategic Plan
• Develop systems for data collection, designing creative mechanisms for effective, collaborative grant making, evaluation, and outcomes reporting
• Throughout the grant life cycle, manage a team that includes a full time Grants Assistant, Grants Committee
• Support the effectiveness of current and potential grantees by providing technical assistance, program analysis and feedback, planning and conducting site visits, and convening group meetings as appropriate
• Work with the Grants Committee and senior leadership to strategize, design, and implement signature projects that highlight best in class performance

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of professional experience, preferably in educational advocacy, public policy, philanthropy, or communications
• Demonstrated experience for and commitment to the mission of the Foundation and the work of its grantees
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated success presenting to a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated experience building relationships, partnerships, and alliances to further effective grantmaking and program development
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail with a mature and professional style
• Experience managing multiple projects with competing priorities and timelines simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficient in database management and Microsoft Office software; an interest in and knowledge of Web 2.0 technology preferred
• Orientation and comfort with the use of technology and internet as a communication vehicle to promote the Foundation’s work and highlighting grantees.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree in education, policy, business, or communications preferred

To Apply:

Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity, both in Word format and addressed to Cynthia Rivera Weissblum, President and CEO at http://jobs.cgcareers.org/application.aspx?id=1226.  No phone calls please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

An equal opportunity employer, the Edwin Gould Foundation values a diversity of experiences
and opinions throughout its work and strongly encourages individuals from all backgrounds
to apply for this role.