Job Description

Summary

Based at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice and founded by Wharton alums, the Center for High Impact Philanthropy (CHIP) is the premier source of knowledge and education on how philanthropy can do more good.  The Director of Operations & Strategic Initiatives is a new role, designed to help propel CHIP’s future growth. Reporting directly to the founding executive director, the role oversees operations for all current efforts and works to identify new opportunities to expand CHIP’s impact in the field.

Candidates must bring demonstrated experience driving results and operational excellence; outstanding people management skills; financial acumen; and exceptional writing & analytical skills. A minimum of 5-7 years related professional experience and master’s degree, or equivalent combination, is required.  Ideal candidates also bring knowledge and networks in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector; professional experience in a social-purpose organization; and experience developing and managing multi-stakeholder initiatives in a university-based setting.

To learn more and apply, see below or click here.

Full Details

Develop and manage integrated workplans across all aspects of CHIP’s work to ensure CHIP meets all financial and programmatic goals. Monitor financial and program indicators, per CHIP’s financial plan and Theory of Change, using data from all available sources/systems (e.g., SP2 business office reports; internal excel workbooks; electronic data from web analytics, Salesforce, & Mailchimp; survey data, etc). Identify ways to improve CHIP’s operational efficiency and effectiveness. Provide monthly and quarterly reports to founding executive director to inform strategy development and planning.

Serve as a thought partner to the executive director. Research and prioritize business development opportunities for new strategic initiatives. In coordination with the founding executive director, serve as CHIP liaison to potential partners. Partners include staff and research faculty at Penn and other universities; nonprofit and foundation leaders; and philanthropic intermediaries including philanthropy serving organizations; data providers; DAFs, and wealth management institutions. Developing concept notes and proposals that define the initiative, including the financial and human capital resources necessary to successfully implement the work.

Once an initiative is launched, lead implementation, serving as the primary liaison to partners, supervising the team, ensuring CHIP meets all reporting requirements, and monitoring progress against CHIP’s overall financial and programmatic goals.

Advise the director, knowledge management & marketing and the associate director, education, and community engagement on ways to optimize revenue/funding and programmatic outcomes related to CHIP’s annual high impact giving toolkit and High Impact Philanthropy Academy. Serve as direct supervisor for program coordinator and project managers.

Perform additional duties as assigned, including participation in convocation and graduation ceremonies as needed.

Operations responsibilities involve:

• Developing and managing integrated work plans across all aspects of CHIP’s work to ensure CHIP meets all financial and programmatic goals.
• Monitor financial and program indicators, per CHIP’s financial plan and Theory of Change, using data from all available sources/systems (e.g., SP2 business office reports; internal excel workbooks; electronic data from web analytics, Salesforce, & Mailchimp; survey data, etc).
• Identify ways to improve CHIP’s operational efficiency and effectiveness. Provide monthly and quarterly reports to founding executive director to inform strategy development and planning.
• Provide monthly and quarterly reports to founding executive director to inform strategy and ongoing planning
• Directly supervises CHIP’s program and administrative coordinator and project managers for initiatives.

Strategic initiatives responsibilities involve:

• Serving as a thought partner to the founding executive director, researching and prioritizing business development opportunities with potential partners (staff and research faculty, nonprofit and foundation leaders; and philanthropic intermediaries, etc.)
• Developing concept notes and proposals that define the initiative and the financial and human capital resources necessary to implement it
• Leading new initiatives, serving as the primary liaison to partners, supervising the team, ensuring CHIP meets all reporting requirements, and monitoring progress against CHIP’s overall financial and programmatic goals.
• Advising the director, knowledge management & marketing and the associate director, education, and community engagement on ways to optimize revenue/funding and programmatic outcomes related to CHIP’s annual high impact giving toolkit and High Impact Philanthropy Academy

Qualifications:

Required:

• Demonstrated experience bringing operational excellence to an organization. Takes on new opportunities and challenges with a sense of urgency, providing direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to drive results.
• Outstanding people management skills, including experience managing up – i.e., supporting a principal, candidate, organizational leader, and/or board – as well as experience directly supervising, coaching, and mentoring staff.
• Financial acumen with experience developing and monitoring financial, project, and program reports to ensure work is on-time, on-budget and meets programmatic goals and standards.
• Exceptional writing and analysis skills.
• Minimum 5 – 7 years related professional experience and bachelors required.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of and networks in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector
• Professional experience in a social-purpose organization
• Masters degree
• Experience developing and managing multi-stakeholder initiatives in a university-based setting

Targeted Pay Range:

$120K commensurate with education and experience.

Job Location – City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hybrid Eligible – This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule with a work week divided between working onsite and working remotely.