Executive Director Center for Philanthropy

Grand Rapids, MI - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 16 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Serving as the adaptive and visionary leader of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy the Executive Director shapes and advances the field of philanthropy in Michigan and across the nation. This role is the Centers primary external face cultivating relationships with foundations philanthropic organizations policymakers practitioners and academic partners to meaningfully advance effective philanthropy.

The Executive Director champions the Centers thought leadership by translating its research programming and convening power into insights that inform the broader philanthropic sector. This includes authoring and amplifying ideas through publications conferences policy conversations and public discourse positioning the Johnson Center as an indispensable resource and catalyst for the field.

Equally critical the Executive Director serves as the primary conduit between the Johnson Center and Grand Valley State University building and stewarding relationships across colleges university leadership and faculty to ensure the Center is well-integrated into the broader institutional community and positioned to leverage the full resources and reach of the university in service of its mission.

Internally the Executive Director provides decisive leadership and oversees the overall administration and management of the Centers operations aligning strategy planning evaluation communications and personnel management to ensure outcomes are achieved. This leader is also responsible for the Centers long-term financial health including fundraising budget management endowment stewardship and revenue growth in partnership with the Johnson Centers Leadership Council and GVSUs Provost and Development offices. This leader fosters a collaborative culture that reflects the integrative nature of the Centers mission ensuring that its internal work is always in service of its larger role as a convener connector and thought leader for philanthropy.

Salary & Benefits:
Minimum starting salary of $150000 commensurate with experience.

Comprehensive benefits package including medical vision dental life insurance generous employer retirement contributions wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

1) Strategic Visioning

a. Represent and promote a unified vision for the Johnson Centers areas of activity. Develop organizational goals and objectives that advance the centers mission to provide leadership training applied research and innovative resources for strengthening community-serving organizations.

b. Lead the development of programming research and revenue strategies ensuring alignment with the centers mission donor intent and strategic goals. Make timely informed decisions that keep the center moving forward with clarity and purpose and oversee the effective and accurate

implementation of related systems and strategies.

c. Establish and enhance accountability systems to measure and track the centers effectiveness and overall impact.

d. Serve as a key liaison and partner to the Grand Valley State University community and administration representing the centers interests and integrating its work within the universitys academic mission.

2) External Communication and Field Building

a. Steward the Johnson Centers history culture reputation and strategic vision in regional national and philanthropic communities.

b. Serve as the primary spokesperson and thought leader for the center effectively representing it in local regional and national settings including media outlets conferences and public discourse.

c. Communicate the centers work strategically to inspire philanthropic and partnership support.

d. Collaborate effectively with foundation leaders peer institutions and philanthropic partners to advance the field and expand the centers reach impact and influence.

3) Team Leadership

a. Foster and maintain a culture of teamwork mutual respect and collaboration among staff.

b. Support the centers directors in their roles promote professional development and actively participate as a member of the Johnson Centers leadership team relevant university and academic affairs committees and as lead liaison to the Johnson Centers external Leadership Council.

4) Financial Sustainability

a. Lead and diversify revenue growth through grants gifts earned income opportunities and fundraising initiatives working closely with the Johnson Centers Leadership Council and GVSUs Provost and University Development offices.

b. Oversee budget development and management ensuring sound fiscal practices and alignment with the centers strategic priorities.

c. Manage and steward the centers endowment funds ensuring responsible use and adherence to donor intent in partnership with University Development.

5) Perform other duties required/assigned by leadership.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

A graduate-level degree from an accredited college or university.
Successful executive leadership experience including developing and communicating a shared organizational vision and making decisive strategic decisions in complex environments.
Demonstrated experience working within or in close partnership with a college or university including an understanding of academic culture and the ability to build effective relationships with faculty academic leadership and administrative offices.
Substantial experience in the philanthropic sector with deep knowledge of its challenges opportunities and best practices and an established presence in the field.
A demonstrated commitment to and passion for the advancement of philanthropy with a deep interest in strengthening the nonprofit sector.
Proven ability to serve as a thought leader and spokesperson with excellent written and verbal communication and diplomatic skills suited to diverse audiences and settings.
Fundraising acumen evidenced by leadership or significant participation in major campaigns grant acquisition and earned income development.
Proficiency in budget development financial management and endowment stewardship.
A professional history marked by strong relationship-building active community involvement and the ability to cultivate and leverage networks to advance organizational and sector goals.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across internal teams university partners and external stakeholders fostering cooperation consensus and meaningful engagement.
Proficiency in personnel oversight project management and leadership volunteer engagement.
Proven experience in overseeing the development and refinement of programmatic offerings informed by sector knowledge and stakeholder engagement.
Understanding of applied social research and the strategic use of data in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
An entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to navigate and thrive within both university and community-based environments.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

A Ph.D. MBA or other terminal degree relevant to the fields of philanthropy nonprofit management public administration or the social sciences.
An established national reputation in the philanthropic field including a record of published scholarship or commentary keynote or conference leadership and/or recognized policy contributions.
Experience leading or significantly growing an academic center institute or similarly structured unit or organization.
An existing network of relationships with major foundations philanthropic intermediaries and national nonprofit sector organizations.
A demonstrated record of donor stewardship and championing long-term financial sustainability including cultivating lasting donor relationships and securing resources that ensure organizational resilience.
Familiarity with the Michigan philanthropic and nonprofit landscape.
Experience designing or overseeing applied research initiatives including the development of publications reports or resources with broad sector impact.
A record of successful major gift fundraising and donor cultivation at the leadership level.

How to Apply:

Attach your cover letter and resume.Applications missing required documents will not be considered. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting please contact Elizabeth Dale (). If you need technical assistanceplease contact Human Resources at.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States a lawful permanent resident a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Application Deadline:

Application review begins May 1 2026 and this posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1- (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.

Required Experience:

Director