Director, Program Strategy

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Founded by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal is a group of organizations working to accelerate the pace of social progress for women and young people in the U.S. and around the world.

Inspired by our founder, we reach across communities and sectors to bring together innovative thinkers who can scale up proven ideas and catalyze new ones. We learn from their experiences, amplify their resources, and support them as they lead.

Pivotal includes Pivotal Philanthropies, focused on charitable grantmaking and impact investing;
Pivotal Initiatives Fund, focused on policy and advocacy work; and Pivotal Ventures, focused on direct investments and partnerships.

SUMMARY

The Director, Program Strategy serves as a leader, strategist, and grant maker on the Program Strategy team. This role performs work on behalf of Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation and related 501(c)(3) entities ("Pivotal Philanthropies"). This individual is responsible for developing, executing, and managing strategies and grants aligned with impact goals. This role designs and implements strategies and strategic initiatives, structures grants, monitors progress, and adjusts course as needed to deploy capital at scale and advance impact goals.

In addition to leading grantmaking, this position drives internal and external engagement to deepen understanding of the ecosystem and leverage partnerships and voice in service of impact. This role builds and maintains key relationships with partners, peer donors, and influential players in the field to source and cultivate new ideas, and coordinate opportunities, and ensure strategies remain innovative, relevant, and effective.

This individual manages a small team and key consultants to advance the work.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Development & Execution

• Lead development and execution of strategies and philanthropic initiatives-including global work where applicable-in alignment with the impact roadmap.
• Drive and evolve strategies and strategic initiatives within purview to maximize impact, most effectively employing available tools (e.g., charitable capital, voice, partnerships).

Grantmaking & Grants Management

• Deploy charitable capital at scale using a variety of philanthropic approaches to increase impact.
• Identify, make, and manage a portfolio of grants in alignment with strategic objectives.
• Manage consistent check-ins with partners, sharing information and gathering updates across the grant portfolio.
• Track progress of grants individually and at the portfolio level, evaluating impact and course correcting where needed.
• Adapt to different grantmaking styles and modalities, applying standard methodologiesto fit context.

Budget & Resource Planning

• Support the Pivotal Philanthropies annual budget planning, including forecasting and alignment to impact goals.
• Oversee grant execution aligned with annual payout schedules, ensuring strategic and financial rigor.

Ecosystem Engagement

• Map and monitor the landscape of strategic area(s) within purview, including who other funders are, where there are opportunities for impact, and where there are gaps.
• Engage donors to cultivate new champions and increase the resources going toward partners and priorities.
• Find opportunities for partner collaboration, make connections to improve efficiency and impact, and convene partners when appropriate.
• Actively engage in the philanthropic community, building relationships and staying ahead of trends.
• Stay current on relevant trends and knowledge within the ecosystem.

Internal Coordination

• Regularly brief the Senior Director, Program Strategy to discuss key issues and ensure overall strategic alignment.
• Engage with the Vice President, Program Strategy and Program Strategy leaders on Pivotal Philanthropies portfolio developments, learning, and issues, making connections across the programmatic portfolio, as appropriate.
• Use measurement and evaluation frameworks to continuously track progress and support institutional and field-wide learning.
• Design and facilitate learning sessions for the Principal and provide updates on the strategy to the Principal and Executive Leadership Team, as appropriate.
• Share relevant, high-level…