Vice President of Impact: Untied Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

United Way Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to take on the role of Vice President of Impact. The VP of Impact will play a crucial role in overseeing United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s grantmaking and community funding initiatives, directly influencing the organizational mission and amplifying United Way’s impact throughout the region. The Vice President of Impact will lead the charge in ensuring that grantmaking processes are effective and in alignment with organizational goals. The responsibilities of this role include assessing, managing, and reporting on initiatives to maximize effectiveness; developing and nurturing strategic relationships with United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s funding partners; and ensuring their objectives align with United Way’s mission while enhancing funding opportunities that benefit the greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey communities. The VP of Impact will work with the United Way leadership team to embark on a transformational journey to reshape the organizational structure to maximize the philanthropic resources that flow directly to community-based organizations in the region. The person in this role will be adept at engaging deeply with the community and be professionally prepared to create and manage task forces that review grant applications and evaluate proposals, ensuring that funding allocations directly address the needs of those served by United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.

The VP of Impact will have a proven ability to design strategies to monitor and evaluate the impact of funded initiatives, as well as ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines to enhance the effectiveness of United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s community investments. In addition to overseeing the grantmaking process, the VP of Impact will actively seek out new funding opportunities. By identifying and cultivating leads through community engagement and fundraising activities, the VP of Impact will contribute significantly to United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey’s growth objectives. The responsibilities of this role include managing the issuance of Requests for Proposals (RFPs), ensuring clear communication about funding opportunities, and maintaining alignment with United Way’s impact objectives. In this forward-facing role, the VP of Impact will represent United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey in strategic initiatives, working closely with the CEO and Executive Vice President/COO. For the person in this role, engagement with community experts and stakeholders will be essential to driving the organizational mission forward.

About United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey:

The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is a mission-driven organization focused on eradicating poverty and expanding opportunities for individuals and families in the region. By convening leaders, inspiring philanthropic investments, and strengthening nonprofit capacity, United Way deploys innovative strategies to help families achieve economic security. Through evidence-based programs and partnerships, the organization works to reduce economic insecurity and invest in long-term solutions for the community.

Vice President of Impact Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate for the Vice President of Impact will possess a robust blend of professional experience, academic qualifications, and personal commitment to social equity. This leader will have a demonstrated track record in nonprofit management, resource development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on poverty alleviation and equality. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on executive leader, a team player with a collaborative approach, and an advocate for driving meaningful change within the community.

Professional Characteristics:

• Commitment to poverty alleviation and equality; experience – lived, professional, and/or academic – that advances United Way’s mission and improves its practices.
• Strong knowledge of the fields of grantmaking and resource development.
• 10+ years of experience leading social impact initiatives; experience in nonprofit management, public affairs, and/or government is preferred.
• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or Nonprofit Management preferred.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressive success in a comparable senior management role leading and directing complex, integrated programs in an evolving nonprofit environment.
• Substantial experience developing, implementing, and evaluating programs or initiatives aimed at reducing poverty.
• Experience in organizational leadership, philanthropy, and/or social investment.
• The ability to lead a team of professional, content area experts and cultivate a cohesive team whose work is high impact and highly aligned with organizational vision.
• A proven track record in developing a strong, cohesive, collaborative, creative, and high-performance team; and demonstrable skills in selecting, coaching, motivating, and training staff.
• Excellent relationship cultivation skills and the ability to engage and influence employees, board members, key volunteers, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Highly developed consensus management skills, along with the ability and willingness to make complex decisions.
• A team player disposition with a hands-on executive management style.
• Working knowledge of the metrics and performance indicators used to set goals and measure progress in outcome management; possess expertise in evaluating and realigning structure and process systems support. The ability to analyze and interpret internal and external data.
• Experience working as part of a senior team, building effective, collaborative relationships to advance business outcomes.
• Must possess a high degree of ethics, integrity, and values aligned with United Way’s mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Grantmaking
  • Lead an annual grantmaking process across United Way’s core funding areas.
  • Develop and maintain a rubric for grantmaking decisions to ensure consistency and transparency.
  • Engage and manage a committee of experts in each core funding area to support grant review and allocation decisions.
  • Lead grant announcements and community partner relationships.
  • Oversee all aspects of grantmaking, grants management, compliance, and accurate reporting.
  • Develop systems and models to establish and maintain credibility in subject matter areas.
• Learning and Engagement
  • Develop and implement strategies to manage relationships with external funding partners.
  • Ensure that partnerships are aligned with organizational goals and contribute to sustainable funding growth.
  • Create and manage community engagement to drive more inclusive grantmaking.
  • Foster collaboration among community members to leverage expertise and resources.
• Revenue
  • Identify and cultivate potential leads through community engagement and fundraising activities.
  • Support ongoing growth of grant programs by leveraging community connections and developing fundraising strategies.
  • Engage with UW Funders as needed to share grantmaking strategy and impact.
• Leadership
  • Represent the organization in strategic initiatives, supporting the CEO, Executive Vice President/COO, and other senior leadership.
  • Serve as a key spokesperson for impact-related initiatives and contribute to achieving key organizational objectives.
  • Actively seek out and evaluate opportunities for organizational growth through RFPs and grants.
  • Ensure the organization’s participation in relevant opportunities to secure additional funding.

Compensation:

$165,000–$180,000 annually, with a comprehensive benefits package that is aligned with industry standards.

Organizational Information:

The Vice-President of Impact will have several direct reports, as well as operational support via shared services, and will report directly to the Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer.

Relevant Financial Information:

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey serves nine counties across the region, with 400+ corporate partners and over 180 community partners. United Way has raised and invested over $65 million to battle poverty since 2018.

Service Area / Industry Information:

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey serves the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey regions, addressing the critical needs of individuals and families living in poverty. Through a range of services and partnerships with local and national leaders, the organization works to reduce economic insecurity and foster lasting change in the community.

Notes / Additional Information:

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey promotes a culture of inclusion and seeks talented staff from diverse backgrounds. United Way does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected factor.

To Apply For the VP of Impact:

Email your resume to Monica Wildes at UWImpact@DiverseForce.com by 11/20/2024, using the subject line: Job Posting Site – VP of Impact. This is the final date for applications. Please disregard the dates noted elsewhere on the job site. Confirmation of receipt of the application will be sent by return email. Virtual screening with preferred candidates will be arranged forthwith. Finalists may be asked to a second in-person interview.