Meyer Foundation
Director of Maryland Partnerships and Strategy
Location: Hybrid (Washington, DC)
About Meyer Foundation
Established in 1944 by Agnes E. Meyer, an author, and social activist, and Eugene Meyer, an owner and publisher of The Washington Post, the Meyer Foundation is one of the Greater Washington Area’s largest and oldest locally focused philanthropies, typically awarding between $7 and $8 million in total grants annually. The Foundation also drives the Fund for Black-led Change, a five-year, $20 million initiative to strengthen the infrastructure of Black-led movements building power to change communities and the region. The Foundation envisions a just, connected, and inclusive region where systemic racism and its consequences no longer exist. To achieve this vision, we focus our voice and resources toward supporting our grantee partners in their work to address the root causes of inequity and the conditions that hold those inequities in place. Additionally, we support our grantee partners' capacity-building opportunities, act as a convener around pressing issues affecting our communities and promote collaborative action to help create a Greater Washington where everyone belongs and thrives.
Learn more about the Meyer Foundation.
About the Opportunity
The Foundation seeks a MD Partnerships and Strategy Director (MD Director) to serve as a partner in driving social change and racial justice by proactively developing knowledge of community needs and those working toward solutions and stewarding relationships with applicants and grantees. The MD Director leads the development of grantmaking and program strategy in MD and provides input on the Foundation’s overall programmatic strategy. In collaboration with the Partnerships team and with guidance from the VP of Community Partnerships and Strategy, the MD Director will apply a racial justice lens to achieve the goals in the Foundation’s strategic plan, communicate the Foundation’s goals and strategy to potential partner organizations, current grantees, and other partners, review and recommend action on grant applications, connect and convene grantees and other partners with shared goals, strengthen existing networks, and build partnerships with external colleagues.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, thoughtful, and passionate leader with deep knowledge, understanding, and experience leading racial equity, justice, and systems-change work. They have experience working closely with grassroots-led organizations in the Greater Washington Area, implementing approaches that drive social change based on community needs.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership and Strategy
- Collaborate with the Vice President for Community Partnerships & Strategy on the development and execution of strategies to build power and movements in Maryland, with a primary focus on Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties
- Oversee the grantmaking and program portfolios for Maryland to advance advocacy, organizing and base building, and coalition building
- Contribute to the design and implementation of technical assistance, leadership development, convening, and advocacy efforts in partnership with grantees and allied funders
Grantmaking and Grantee Partner Engagement
- Oversee the MD portfolio of grantees and the grantmaking process for all current and prospective grantees, including review of funding requests (including budgets and financial statements)
- Meet with current and prospective grantee partners to build relationships based on mutuality, respect, and shared vision and goals for the future of the Greater Washington region
- Provide guidance to current and prospective grantees to help them strengthen their organizations and programs
- Collaborate with leadership on the preparation of grantmaking and program reports for the Board
External Relationships
- Serve as the ambassador for the Foundation to a broad range of decision-makers and partners, including grantee partners, community leaders, business leaders, government officials, affinity groups, and other collaborators in the region and across the country
- Expand the Foundation’s network and presence in Prince George’s County
- Prepare strategy memos, briefs, reports, and presentations in various formats to engage multiple constituents (e.g., board members, community leaders, grantees, and aligned funders)
- Seek opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and build partnerships with colleagues in other grantmaking organizations
- Partner with aligned grantmakers in the Greater Washington region and nationally to adopt best practices and develop successful social change strategies
Desired Skills, Experiences, and Attributes
- Five years or more of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, community-based organizations, philanthropic sector, and/or other similar sector
- Deep understanding of anti-racism work, distinguishing between DEI and anti-racism work
- Experience working with or for racial justice and equity-focused nonprofit organizations or experience with community organizing is strongly preferred
- Committed to honest conversations and self-reflection about race, racial justice, and equity
- An analytical thinker who can contribute to and implement strategy through a thoughtful and inclusive approach
- Strong interpersonal skills with experience collaborating and thought partnering with colleagues across the organization
- Demonstrated aptitude for building and cultivating authentic relationships based on trust, a shared sense of purpose, and a desire for impact
- A proven record of collaborative decision-making, as well as accessibility and accountability
- Effective and persuasive communicator, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to communicate with a broad range of audiences, including Foundation staff, grantee partners, and other stakeholders
- Enthusiasm for and patience with organizational change as part of the Foundation’s commitment to ongoing evolution and improvement
- Ability to focus on organizational change while holding space for individual change
- Prior work in Maryland nonprofits is a plus
- Prior work in the philanthropic sector is a plus
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range is $120,000 - $130,000.
The Meyer Foundation offers a comprehensive compensation package that includes premium-cost sharing for medical, dental, and vision insurance; 5 weeks of vacation leave, 13 days of sick leave, 2 personal days, and 11 paid holidays annually; life insurance and long and short-term disability insurance; a $50/month contribution for personal internet and data used for remote work; and, following 6 months of employment, and a 10% contribution to a 403(b) retirement savings account. Employees eligible for participation in the retirement account are vested immediately. Further, employees are eligible for a six-week sabbatical after seven years of employment with the Foundation.
Expected Time Commitment and Travel
This position is full-time. The MD Director will be expected to travel up to 50% within the Greater Washington region. The Foundation's hybrid work arrangement is such that staff works primarily remotely, and in-person attendance is required for specific meetings and events, including board meetings, team building and strategy sessions, grantee partner meetings and events, and other activities for which in-person participation is preferable.