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Chief Impact Officer
Seattle Foundation | Chief Impact Officer
The OrganizationThe heart and science of philanthropyGreater Seattle is changing and growing, and so is Seattle Foundation. “The heart and science of philanthropy” is the intersection of passion and discipline to create lasting change. As the community’s foundation, our mission is to ignite powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all. We work with more than 1,200 individuals, families and corporations to strategically invest their philanthropic resources in ways that inspire continued giving. We also partner with philanthropic institutions, government agencies, community organizations and businesses to catalyze positive change in our community across a range of issues. As one of the 25 largest community foundations in the country, we manage nearly $1 billion in charitable assets and award more than $100 million annually to nonprofit organizations in the region. Our organizational culture is one of engaged teamwork, where we support one another in reaching our collective and individual goals while constantly learning along the way. Our office is located in the downtown core of Seattle; however, our reach is much broader than that – we focus on Greater Seattle and the Eastside and also support donor interests across the country and around the globe. We seek individuals to join our 40+ (and growing!) team who are committed to our vision of a stronger, more vibrant community for all; collaboratively finding solutions; continually improving; and going the extra mile in service of our philanthropic partners and the broader community. We’re in the midst of an exciting evolution in our work.
Seattle Foundation | Chief Impact Officer
We believe that greater racial and economic equity across cultural and geographic communities is critical to our region’s vibrancy; the opportunity in front of our new Chief Impact Officer is to drive scale and impact around the program strategies aligned with our Theory of Change.
The Chief Impact Officer (CIO) is a newly imagined position that reports directly to the CEO and plays a critical leadership role both internally and externally. The CIO will represent the Foundation, engage regularly with the Board of Trustees, collaborate as a peer on the Leadership Team and manage the Community Programs team.
Central to this role is leading existing philanthropic and programmatic initiatives, as well as aligning the team around new strategies and innovative approaches to deepen and accelerate Seattle Foundation’s impact. As a member of the Leadership Team, the CIO will work in close collaboration with the President & CEO, and other senior leaders, to evangelize Seattle Foundation’s strategies and programs in the community through compelling opportunities to learn about our work, as well as to partner and co-invest in game-changing efforts to drive positive outcomes for our community.
The Opportunity
Seattle Foundation | Chief Impact Officer
Strategic Leadership: leveraging deep, professional experience and knowledge of how to employ philanthropic levers to drive social change, the new CIO will:
• Drive the development and execution of Seattle Foundation’s core strategies, programs and discretionary grantmaking
• Introduce creative approaches to increase impact, not only with grantmaking, but also expanding how we apply our assets, skills, networks and team in new ways
• Lead the Foundation in measuring outcomes of programs, partnerships and investments • Catalyze community connections, engagement and partnerships to ensure that efforts to address systemic
challenges are informed by the voices and ideas of key stakeholders• Serve as a thought partner to the President & CEO to evolve our programmatic vision and our role as a
civic leader in alignment with the Foundation’s goals to advance racial equity and economic opportunity.
Team Leadership: applying skills learned as a leader and manager, the new CIO will:• Develop, manage and inspire a diverse programs team to continue to think and act in new and effective
ways, while maintaining focus on strategy• Reinforce a culture of empowerment and accountability that enables the team’s managing directors to
perform at their best, while facilitating opportunities for staff’s professional development and growth• Guide decision making to align with our strategy, proactively lead the resolution of strategic questions
identified by staff, and determine whether or how to course correct• Model optimal team behaviors including inquiry, learning, collaboration, and a passion for and commitment
to Seattle Foundation’s mission • Partner closely with the management team to continue to evolve our organizational culture and build
capacity for effective cross-team collaboration
Inspiring Community Engagement: building upon a legacy of strong community leadership and deeply rooted partnerships and relationships, the new CIO will:
• Serve as a public face and key spokesperson for Seattle Foundation, representing the organization with credibility and enthusiasm, leveraging its strong brand, and clearly communicating its vision and value proposition
• Drive participation in Seattle Foundation’s initiatives as investment opportunities for other funders—be they individuals, institutions or public sector partners—meeting explicit fundraising goals to increase the resources available to support our core strategies and programs
• Continue to deepen relationships with diverse community stakeholders (nonprofit, for profit and public-sector leaders, other institutional and individual philanthropists, and public officials) to advance initiatives, partnerships and increase investments
Key Priorities and Responsibilities
Seattle Foundation | Chief Impact Officer
Ideal CandidateThe ideal candidate is a seasoned, strategic and action-oriented leader who brings a deeply collaborative and highly entrepreneurial spirit to everything you do. You have a natural capacity to lead, inspire and mobilize people around a complex set of challenges. One of the most important attributes you bring to the CIO role, and to Seattle Foundation, is a leadership commitment to racial equity which is reflected in your demonstrated track record advancing racial equity and systems change work.
The Chief Impact Officer is a relationship-driven individual who easily establishes rapport and trust with diverse audiences and who has a reputation for leading through influence tempered by humility. You possess excep-tional written/verbal communication and interpersonal skills and can as easily connect with a group of grass-roots community partners as you can with a group of prospective funders. You have a reputation as a strong team player known for your collegiality and predisposition to work collaboratively. You bring lessons from your experiences building relationships around shared goals and have deftly maneuvered across sectors, divergent priorities and stakeholder groups in pursuit of a community-driven agenda.
A deep knowledge of philanthropy and experience applying a variety of philanthropy tools and approaches to community-level racial equity and systems change work is essential. You bring strong national networks and connections in the philanthropic sector which you are eager to leverage in support of Seattle Foundation’s work locally. You are an adept systems thinker, able to identify emerging trends to help Seattle Foundation continue to refine its strategies to have the maximum impact.
Seattle Foundation | Chief Impact Officer
Qualifications• A minimum of 15 years of senior executive leadership, preferably in a foundation or similar philanthropic
enterprise is required • A demonstrated commitment to, and track record advancing explicit racial equity and systems change
work is essential • Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and the facility to be an effective and inspiring
advocate for the Foundation on a range of topics in front of a variety of audiences, is crucial• Previous experience managing a diverse team and harnessing their passion in support of the organization’s
broader goals is essential• While knowledge of community needs in the greater Seattle region is preferred, an understanding of how
the public, private and nonprofit sectors can work together to change systems to increase racial and economic equity in a city or region of a similar size to Seattle would be an asset
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required; an advanced degree in business, public administration or public policy is preferred
Seattle Foundation | Chief Impact Officer
As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Foundation is committed to a diverse, multicultural work environment. Seattle Foundation does not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. A current resume and thoughtful cover letter that articulates your passion for Seattle Foundation’s mission and fit for the role should be submitted for consideration through Waldron’s candidate web portal. Letters may be addressed to Sarah Meyer.
The search for Seattle Fundation’s Chief Impact Officer is being assisted by a team from Waldron:
To Be Considered
Sarah Meyer
Search Director
Direct: 206.792.4221
Heather Mohler
Engagement Manager
Direct: 206.792.4311
Melissa Merritt
Principal
Direct: 206.792.4300
waldronhr.com
Waldron is honored to work with Seattle Foundation in the search for a Chief Impact Officer. We believe
in and support the work of Seattle Foundation, and we are doing our best to recruit a talented leader who
will accelerate this mission. As the consulting partner strategic leaders choose to help attract, engage,
and inspire effective leaders, Waldron provides a unique combination of executive search, leadership
development, and career transition services across sectors and industries. Our passion is helping people and
organizations realize their full potential and increase their impact.
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