Deputy Director

Position Overview

A private family foundation based in Boston seeks a Deputy Director to lead the effective and efficient implementation of the Foundation’s administrative, finance, and operational functions. This individual must be a well-rounded, creative self-starter who understands how to bridge multiple projects seamlessly together. 

The Foundation is managed presently by its Founder/Board Chair and a staff team that includes Program Officers in Education and the Arts, an Office Manager/Bookkeeper, and a Grants Program Officer as well as HR, IT, accounting, finance, legal, and strategy planning consultants. The Foundation’s grantmaking focuses primarily on education and scholarships and arts and culture, predominantly in the Greater Boston area. There is a strong value on creativity, amplifying the voices of others, and building partnerships with key stakeholders. The Deputy Director will be a key member of this team.

The role requires superior communication, teamwork, analytical skills, and proactive attention to detail. The ideal candidate is a truly interactive professional who is solutions-driven, anticipates needs, and values connecting the dots. Discretion and discerning judgment, as well as an excitement for building and maintaining best-in-field operating and financial tracking systems are essential qualities for this position.

This is a full-time, in-person position reporting to the Board of Directors. The office is located in Boston, MA with some local travel as needed. Given the nature of the role, the position is not well-suited for remote work. 

Responsibilities

• Management of the Foundation’s annual work plan and business operations.
• Supervise and serve as day-to-day contact for the Foundation staff team related to operations and program administration.
• Collaborate with staff and board members in developing and implementing strategies and addressing priorities.
• Oversee Foundation milestones and ensure individual program quarterly schedules align and complement Foundation goals.
• Assess, develop, and manage operational policies, systems and resources, including compliance.
• Lead Foundation HR policy implementation.
• Manage HR, bookkeeping, IT, accounting, and other consultants/contracts.
• Coordinate and collaborate on budget development, forecasting, monitoring, and reporting.
• Lead quarterly Board meetings and ensure preparation and dissemination of all meeting materials.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of progressively senior administration and operations management experience, with responsibility for financial and management functions.
• Experience with complex administration and finance, preferably within a private. foundation, family office, trust company, or other multi-function, client-serving role.
• Systems-oriented thinker who is adept at setting up new processes and procedures and training teams on new ways of working.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects on varying timelines.
• A clear, proactive, communicator who is comfortable working in a small team and is willing to take responsibility and be accountable.
• Excellent communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrated diplomacy, judgment, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Ethical, impeccable integrity, judgment, and discretion along with a professional demeanor and interpersonal style that elicits trust.
• A self-starter who anticipates and actively seeks opportunities to problem solve and work as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• A calm, secure person who is not easily overwhelmed, and appreciates open and direct feedback.
• Strong multi-tasking skills; flexible and able to work well under pressure.
• Adaptable, with a commitment to learning and growth.
• A creative, collaborative thinker.

While the above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work for this position, it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of individuals in this role.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The foundation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on merit, ne, individual qualifications, and job requirements, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by law.