Program Director

The Program Director will identify, steward, and support the nonprofit organizations that Thompson funds. Beginning from prospect development through grant design and renewal, they will define opportunities and track both progress and outcomes, with an eye toward helping portfolio organizations deliver strong programmatic results. In partnership with the Executive Director, they will develop new and growing portfolios that respond to community needs and opportunities. In addition, they will partner with colleagues to test and refine grantmaking models, maximizing impact while minimizing cost and administrative burdens. The Program Director will help advance the systems, tools, practices, and habits that allow a small foundation to do excellent work at high volume without passing unnecessary burden to grantees. Equally as important, they will serve as a thought partner and sounding board, both to colleagues within Thompson and partners in the field.

Because Thompson is small by design, the Program Director must be energized by building while doing. This is a role for someone who can shape strategy in the morning, pressure-test a logic model at noon, draft a board memo in the afternoon, and troubleshoot a Salesforce or Excel reporting need before the day ends. Seniority at Thompson does not mean distance from the work; it means greater responsibility for making the work stronger.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Develop and implement grantmaking strategies:

• identifying organizations that make a meaningful difference in the lives of New Yorkers;
• working with those organizations to design / understand their logic models and assess the current and potential impact of those models;
• building the case for funding and the instruments to measure progress; and
• partnering with organizations year after year to assess progress and build upon it, concluding grantmaking when the results are complete (or don't materialize).

Monitor and evaluate grant progress:

• providing feedback and recommendations for extension, adjustment, and completion;
• executing smart and efficient grant renewals, honing in on strengths, challenges, and unanswered questions;
• partnering with grant recipients to provide strategic counsel and resources that transcend funding, support grantees in responding to opportunities and challenges; and
• allocating added resources to strengthen a grant when a great opportunity arises, as possible.

Support organization-wide planning:

• researching new focus areas and developing landscape analyses, as appropriate, defining funding opportunities and developing strategies in response;
• evaluating current portfolio areas for the best opportunities in new awards, then building the logic model and partnering with the new organization to set success measures;
• bringing new thinking to the team on strategy, evaluation or operations; and,
• experimenting with the current Thompson model, then advocating for changes to strengthen the work.

Advance the infrastructure for excellent lean grantmaking:

• drafting documents for board, organization, and grant recipients that drive progress, alignment, and accountability;
• designing and building reporting capabilities via Salesforce and Excel to track portfolio strategy, progress, and results;
• identifying and implementing tools and systems for streamlined reporting and analysis; and
• ensuring an organized and complete record of the grantmaking process and grantee accomplishments in partnership with the Program Associate.

This position provides an excellent opportunity for an entrepreneur who is passionate about building a highly impactful and efficient foundation while working in service to and partnership with the organizations Thompson funds.

• Mission and Core Values Alignment. Operates with a growth mindset, demonstrates self-awareness, enjoys working as part of a team, and can advance work independently
• Strong Track Record. 15+ years of accomplishment in relevant fields including grantmaking, nonprofit strategy, operations, or management consulting
• Strategic and Operational. You are gifted at both defining the strategy to accomplish goals and developing and managing the operational plans to ensure success
• Creative and Driven. You generate ideas and see them through, seeking excellence and sweating the details. You take the initiative and lead alongside
• Analytical and Compelling. You are rigorous and data-driven. You're persuasive, with excellent written and oral presentation skills
• Curious and Collaborative. You listen carefully and you learn from others. You derive joy from surfacing the great ideas, designing something better, and improving it ongoing
• Kind, Humble and Humorous. You take your work seriously, but not yourself

Location and Work Environment

The Program Director will be a part of a small hybrid team that works from our Rockefeller Center three days a week. In person visits to our grantees are prioritized; travel for this role includes site visits within the greater New York area. Work with national nonprofits and opportunities to convene may prompt an opportunity to travel once or twice per year.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $250,000 - $300,000. Thompson offers a generous benefits package while encouraging a strong work-life balance.

The Thompson Family Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.