The application deadline is on Thursday, February 12th 2026. Please submit both a resume and a cover letter to be considered.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Office of the Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) seeks a Director to serve as the principal in managing and coordinating a wide range of activities and projects on behalf of the CINO. The Director serves as a strategic thought partner to and extension of the CINO, nimbly responding to opportunities and challenges while trend spotting, troubleshooting and forecasting to optimize the VP, CINO’s time, presence and resources.

The Director manages and leads various special initiatives and works collaboratively teams across the foundation, including the Executive Leadership Team, to coordinate key strategic initiatives and business operations on behalf of the VP, CINO while navigating delicate contexts and environments.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE

• Establish and maintain robust systems for the smooth functioning of the Office of the CINO, including the management of both operational and programmatic budgets.

• Serve as a key partner and advisor to the Chief Innovation Officer (CINO), managing high-level priorities, gauging risks, and ensuring time and resources are deployed for maximum impact.

• Oversee the CINO’s calendar and agendas, prepare comprehensive briefing materials and decision-support tools for all internal and external engagements.

• Partner with Directors and leadership to develop and implement program strategies, ensuring deep alignment across various strategic focus areas and investments.

• Act as a proxy and representative for the CINO in leadership meetings and external forums, leading the implementation of cross-departmental initiatives.

• Collaborate with peer offices and non-programmatic departments to ensure consistent workflows and facilitate qualitative and quantitative analysis for leadership priorities.

• Contribute to the Foundation’s mission by reviewing grant proposals and managing the administrative lifecycle of the CINO’s programmatic portfolio.

• Develop and maintain reports, dashboards, and analysis to track progress against goals and inform future innovation strategies.

• Partner with People and Culture to oversee hiring processes and coordinate human capital practices for the CINO’s direct reports.

• Manage high-level connectivity with outside partners, consultants, and vendors while maintaining landscape awareness on substantive matters of interest.

• Directly supervise and mentor administrative staff, ensuring high-quality support and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• 8+ years of experience working across a wide range of populations and teams with a deep understanding of program areas being supported

• Proven ability to act as a high-level thought partner, translating visionary ideas into tangible execution and complex project implementation.

• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, with the ability to assess process effectiveness and organizational management.

• Ability to use presentation and data visualization tools to transform complex information into clear, actionable reports and briefings.

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to foster a healthy team culture, facilitate high-stakes meetings, and speak to large audiences.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, tailored for engagement with senior management and global stakeholders.

• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across all levels of a complex, multi-functional organization.

• Self-starter with the discipline to operate independently and deliver high-quality judgment under pressure and tight deadlines.

• Proficiency in leveraging AI and emerging technologies to enhance organizational efficiency and strategic impact is preferred.

• Ways of working and engaging that align with the Foundation’s mission, core values, and commitment to creating a culture of excellence.

• Baccalaureate degree in a related field or a record of equivalent professional experience and achievement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position is primarily a sedentary role. However, the person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to liaise with internal staff, access files, office machinery and a copy machine/printer.

The Ford Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, the Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact, talentacquisitionhr@fordfoundation.org.

SALARY: The Ford Foundation is committed to salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $181,000, and the maximum is $200,000. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of this range. A candidate’s relevant experience and our commitment to internal equity determine the final offer. We review global compensation regularly to ensure market competitiveness and equity. The hiring range for this position has been carefully crafted to align with the market.

LOCATION: This position is based in the foundation’s New York office. We operate in a hybrid model and require staff to be in the office three days per week.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: This is a permanent position.

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WORKING AT FORD

• Commitment to creating a culture where everyone feels respected

• A hybrid working model and flexible work arrangement policies offer colleagues the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways and the space to maintain a healthy work-life balance

• Professional development and ample opportunities to build your expertise and expand your network

• Comprehensive benefits package designed for your well-being and work-life needs, including medical, dental, and vision benefits effective on your first day

• Generous time off, including personal, vacation, sick, extended holiday time off, and wellness days

• Generous parental leave policy, including birth, surrogacy, adoptive, foster parents, and resources for backup child and elder care that support our colleagues’ ability to attend to family responsibilities

• Comprehensive retirement benefits options (with employee and employer contributions of up to 13%), allowing you to invest in your financial future with confidence

Learn more about what it’s like to work at the Ford Foundation.

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at The Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law. The Ford Foundation does not discriminate against formerly incarcerated individuals.