Position Overview
The Connected Leaders Platform (CLP) supports the Foundation’s five-year climate strategy by driving the Foundation’s global convening capacity; designing high-level gatherings; deepening engagement with key leaders, corporations, governments, and non-profit organizations; and galvanizing networks. The Connected Leaders Platform is a defining part of the Foundation’s unique model of change.
The Special Projects & Partnerships team, part of the CLP, leads RF’s work to influence global agendas through high-production value Signature Convenings and partnerships. The Managing Director, Special Projects & Partnerships will report to and partner with the SVP, Connected Leaders to identify, shape, and deliver 20-30 annual Institutional Signature Convenings and lead partnerships with global convening platforms to advance RF’s strategic goals.
Pay Range: $185,872- $247,186. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience.
Work Schedule: This role is on a hybrid work schedule, and required to be in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities
- Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of the Foundation’s portfolio of Institutional Signature Convenings, ensuring they align with the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (including RF teams and other departments) to assess needs, identify opportunities for impact, and define resourcing requirements to deliver successful convenings.
- Lead the design, content, and execution of key convenings, ensuring that they meet strategic objectives and deliver high-quality experiences. This includes:
- Lead the development of compelling vision and content for each convening to achieve defined goals.
- Oversee and lead strategic project plans, tracking progress, and driving next steps in coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
- Drive strategic decision-making and align stakeholders across functions to ensure smooth implementation.
- Set clear agendas and identify, prepare, and manage speakers.
- Lead the preparation and review of all convening materials, including agendas, communications, and briefing documents. Manage convening communications, including pre-event promotions and post-event follow-ups.
- Lead the preparation of RFPs, selecting and managing consultants and vendors, ensuring quality and alignment with Foundation standards. Develop and manage the run of show, ensuring seamless event execution.
- Identify, create, and manage tools and assets for high-production convenings, such as registration systems, participant engagement platforms, and materials for sessions.
- Oversee and manage high-profile convening opportunities, including the Foundation's annual UN General Assembly convenings and events associated with the World Bank’s Spring and Fall meetings, ensuring these convenings meet the highest standards of strategic importance and logistical excellence.
- Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation framework for Institutional Signature Convenings, tracking impact and key outcomes, and reporting progress to leadership to inform continuous improvement.
- Identify and cultivate relationships with global convening partners, ensuring strong partnerships and collaboration to elevate the Foundation’s work and extend its reach in global forums.
- Lead the identification of opportunities for charitable donations to partners, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s strategic goals and mission.
- Foster a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and excellence within the team, supporting professional development and encouraging diverse perspectives to drive innovation and effectiveness in convening activities.
Education, Experience, And Skills
- Generally expected to have 12+ years of relevant experience in events and program management.
- 5+ years of management/leadership experience preferred.
- Bachelors preferred.
- Experience implementing creative staffing models and familiarity with international work permitting requirements is a plus.
- Ability to manage people and teams to conceive, research, analyze, develop, and implement projects, new ideas, and strategies to successful completion.
- Entrepreneurial and strategic mindset, with demonstrated experience leading work independently from strategy to execution, ensuring accountability for results along the way.
- Deep experience in developing and managing relationships with complex, geographically diverse, global organizations of all sizes.
- Committed to using software and data to produce outputs, track outcomes, and deliver results, independently and proactively.
- Ability to travel regularly both domestically and internationally and has done so in previous roles
- Computer proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, and the ability to learn new applications quickly.
Qualifications And Competencies
- Balances Stakeholders: Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders.
- Cultivates Innovation: Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
- Develops Talent: Develops people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals.
- Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Values Differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.
The Rockefeller Foundation offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes health insurance programs, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment, a generous 401K, parental leave, and various forms of paid time off, all to help our employees feel energized, cared for, and engaged.
As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We operate from a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything that we do. It is not only the right thing to do – we could not make an impact without the diverse perspectives and experiences of our team members. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.
The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.
The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
