The Metcalf Foundation is seeking a new Program Director for its Inclusive Local Economies Program. The program works with people and organizations to develop long-term strategies that create sustainable economic opportunities and generate wealth for low-income people and communities in Toronto. Applications and/or expressions of interest must be received by Monday 7 January 2013 to ruth@openblue.ca.
See below, or our website, for a complete description of this opportunity. Please forward to your networks.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Program Director, Inclusive Local Economies Program
THE FOUNDATION
The goal of the George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation is to enhance the effectiveness of people and organizations working together to help Canadians imagine and build a just, healthy, and creative society.
Across its 3 programs areas — sustaining the vibrancy of the professional performing arts, harnessing the benefits of living within the Earth’s environmental limits, and improving low-income peoples’ economic livelihoods and access to quality jobs — the Metcalf Foundation advances its mission through practice, policy, and collaboration.
Using grant-making programs to support initiatives and organizations that are modeling innovative approaches to intractable problems, the Foundation’s work begins and is rooted in community-based efforts at achieving tangible outcomes. Its focus is on efforts that are community-based and address existing challenges in new ways and the Foundation is particularly interested in approaches that can serve as models for other communities or that show potential to be applied on a larger scale.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Metcalf Foundation is seeking a new Program Director for its Inclusive Local Economies Program which works with people and organizations to develop long-term strategies that create sustainable economic opportunities and generate wealth for low-income people and communities in Toronto.
Working collaboratively with the President, the Program’s Advisory Committee, staff, fellows, and community stakeholders, the new Program Director will build on the exciting work that has been done, and is being done, in this Program and help the Foundation realize even greater impact vis-à-vis enhancing the economic livelihoods of low-income people.
Reporting to the President of the Foundation, and as a core contributor to the Foundation’s team, the Program Director will have a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including daily management of the Inclusive Local Economies Program; strategic oversight of the Foundation’s Innovation Fellowship; critical thinking about issues, goals, priorities, and granting practice; and acting as a collaborative catalyst to explore new ideas and new initiatives with leading thinkers and organizations engaged in issues related to economic inclusion and creating inclusive city economies.
As a flexible and dynamic Foundation with an open-minded approach that values engagement in areas that are complex and murky and that works towards enabling people to share hopeful visions of the future, work and learn collectively, and think broadly in pursuit of comprehensive solutions, this is a unique and exciting opportunity to shape and lead a notable philanthropic program with high potential to make a significant contribution to improving outcomes for low-income people and communities in Toronto.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Director holds primary responsibility for the vision, strategic development, and implementation of all aspects of the Inclusive Local Economies Program, and contributes to the Foundation’s broader mission and mandate including the Innovation Fellowship Program through:
Constituency Building, Community Relations, and Capacity Building
- Nurture and develop relationships with a wide range of organizations and individuals to advance the Foundation’s mission and programmatic goals
- Encourage and participate in collaborations particularly those that cross sectors and build broad alliances and networks
- Build the capacity of people and organizations in low-income neighbourhoods in the context of the Resilient Neighbourhoods program to help mobilize financial and human resources to create change
Program Design and Implementation
- Monitor and update the Inclusive Local Economies Program focus and strategy to ensure it is relevant and addressing community opportunities and needs
- Contribute to the oversight and management of the Innovation Fellowship Program
- Prepare and deliver clear and accurate written and oral presentations concerning grant proposals for advisory committee and board review
- Work constructively with applicants and grantees to develop applications and to manage ongoing relationships
- Inspire and support staff, advisors, and fellows in their roles
Communications, Research, and Policy
- Provide clear and concise communication with the President and the Board of the Foundation
- Foster broad awareness of the Foundation and the Inclusive Local Economies Program on-the-ground and among funders, business, labour, residents, non-profits, entrepreneurs, academics, advocates, and governments
- Ensure the Foundation is informed about the community it serves
- Develop and oversee research and policy initiatives
- Contribute to the advancement of policies and practices that support people to improve their economic standing
Strategic Thinking
- Identify emerging issues and trends and potential strategic responses within the Inclusive Local Economies and Innovation Fellowship Programs
- Work in a multi-disciplinary / multi-sector context on complex issues, facilitating progress towards tangible results and solutions
- Proactively make connections across issues, people, ideas, and practice to advance Foundation mission and mandate
Organizational Development
- Collaborate with Board, President, and staff to realize the organization’s broader vision and mission
- Work in cooperation with other program areas at the Metcalf Foundation to develop and realize integrated grant-making practices and approaches
- Contribute to the alignment and management of Innovation Fellowship and Renewal Programs
- Help build, and contribute to, the Foundation’s culture and values of innovation, risk-taking, collaboration, learning, and reflection
Learning and Evaluation
- Engage in ongoing and active assessment of program design and effectiveness
- Keep abreast of trends / new and innovative approaches in the sector that could enhance the impact of the Foundation
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will be an innovative, entrepreneurial, collaborative and visionary leader with the expertise necessary to effectively deliver on the Program’s mandate. In particular the Program Director will:
- Be a strong critical thinker with the ability to conceptualize the characteristics and evolution of an issue and to devise effective responses
- Work effectively across multiple issues as it relates both to programmatic content and to broader social change processes
- Be an effective communicator in many settings
- Have a high level of energy and passion, and be a strong advocate, for the Foundation’s mission and programs and its role within the philanthropic landscape
- Have demonstrated leadership and management experience in an organization similar to the Metcalf Foundation
- Have an understanding of and/or experience working within the social change field including philanthropy, non-profit organizations, social enterprise, etc.
- Possess the ability to take initiative, think strategically, and work creatively
- Have experience, or an understanding, of community-based economic development
- Have experience, or an understanding, of public policy change processes
- Be knowledgeable in the work of foundations as well as the regulations associated with charities
- Be proficient in basic financial management
- Have a flexible and enthusiastic approach to work and be an effective team player with others in a collaborative workplace
- Be known as a relationship-builder and collaborator
- Have excellent oral and written communication skills
- Have computer proficiency
- Have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; a Master’s degree is considered an asset
- Have 8+ years of experience, with a significant emphasis on experience relevant to this role
OTHER DETAILS OF THE POSITION
Compensation is commensurate with experience. The position is based in Toronto, Ontario and the ability to travel is considered an asset.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply or recommend candidates for the position please contact Ruth Richardson of Open Blue Consulting, in confidence, at ruth@openblue.ca. Interested candidates should send their expression of interest by Monday 7 January 2013, 5:00 PM EST to ruth@openblue.ca.
Deadline:
7 Jan 2013
Website:
Region:
Location:
Metcalf Foundation
Toronto Ontario
Canada