Managing Director, Strategy & Community Impact

Description

Job Department: Executive

Direct Report: Senior Director, Grants & Strategic Initiatives; Director, Partnership to End 

Homelessness

FLSA Status: Exempt

GWCF Salary Band: B4

Organization Overview

For over 50 years, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has ignited the power 

of philanthropy to respond to critical community needs and build a thriving region where 

every person prospers. The Community Foundation is a trusted advisor and navigator

helping thousands of individuals, families, businesses, and government partners to 

identify impactful nonprofits and support the greater good in the communities we call 

home. As the region’s largest local funder, we have invested $1.7 billion to build equitable, 

just, and thriving communities across DC, Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, and 

Prince George’s County. To learn more, visit thecommunityfoundation.org. 

Position Summary

At the midpoint of its 10-year strategic plan, The Community Foundation seeks a 

Managing Director, Strategy & Community Impact to work closely with and help 

shape the vision of the President & CEO in charting new strategy and advancing 

current priorities — from closing the region's wealth gap to countering the impact 

of federal policy and increasing the flow of philanthropic capital to communities 

most in need.

This is a role for someone who wants a seat at the table on the region's biggest 

questions. That means providing strategic leadership for The Community 

Foundation's programmatic work spanning regional geography, donor-directed 

and discretionary funding, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration. As a member 

of the Executive Leadership Team and thought partner to the CEO, they will help 

set The Community Foundation’s direction: translating strategic vision into a 

coordinated portfolio of investments, initiatives, and partnerships, and bringing 

forward their own ideas for where The Community Foundation should go next. 

Internally, they lead a high-performing Community Investment team across 

donor-directed and discretionary funds, key initiatives, strategic partnerships, 

and growth of the DC-based fundholder portfolio. Externally, they serve as an 

ambassador to community leaders, funders, policymakers, and business leaders 

with real latitude to identify emerging issues and propose how The Community 

Foundation should respond.

In addition to the duties described in this position description, every role at The 

Community Foundation is expected to contribute to the organization’s overall success and 

its goals. This may mean that team members will be asked to take on other tasks that may 

not be listed here. Examples may include working on a project or specific task outside your 

standard area of responsibility, participating in an organization-wide task force or special 

initiative, or being asked to support a colleague when needed. Any additional tasks will be 

determined by the manager of this role in coordination with the leadership team.

Requirements

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Provides strategic leadership for the community investment portfolio, 

identifying emerging needs and opportunities to deepen regional impact.

• Serves as thought partner to the CEO in shaping organizational strategy —

including surfacing new ideas and helping think through the big-picture 

questions facing the region.

• Oversees strategic priorities and influences all grantmaking, including 

internally led funds, donor partnerships, and discretionary resources.

• Manages the team and budget in line with organizational priorities.

• Leverages grantmaking, convening, advocacy, and influence to advance 

priorities and respond to emerging challenges.

• Tracks policy developments and partners with the organization’s lobbying 

firm to advance aligned priorities.

• Supports the Board of Trustees Community Investment Committee in its 

advisory capacity to The Community Foundation.

• Represents the organization with community leaders, funders, and 

policymakers.

Strategic Partnerships, New Business Development & Regional Alignment

• Leads new business development — Philanthropic Advisory Services, 

government partnerships, donor engagement — to grow the organization’s 

philanthropic portfolio.

• Drives regional alignment across all four jurisdictions, with particular focus 

on growing the DC-based fundholder portfolio.

• Builds strategic partnerships and funder collaboratives that attract 

resources and advance shared priorities.

• Cultivates relationships with funders, government, nonprofit, and business 

leaders to deepen impact and influence.

• Convenes cross-sector leaders to align resources and catalyze collective 

action.

• Identifies and champions new efforts where the organization can lead —

bringing forward proposals, not just executing on existing ones.

• Partners with Development and Donor Services to cultivate support and 

connect donor investments with community needs.

• Partners with Marketing & Communications to elevate the organization’s 

visibility through thought leadership and storytelling.

Team Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

• Sets priorities and direction for the Community Investment team in line 

with The Community Foundation’s mission.

• Builds a high-performing team grounded in accountability, learning, and 

community-centered practice.

• Maintains accountability for team performance and impact, equipping 

leaders to advance the work.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Master's degree preferred in public policy, public administration, nonprofit 

management, philanthropy, business administration, or a related field — or 

equivalent experience.

• 8–10+ years of senior leadership experience in a community foundation, 

private foundation, nonprofit, public sector, or similarly complex 

organization.

• Proven success in strategic partnerships, fundraising, and business 

development, aligning philanthropic resources with organizational and 

community priorities.

• Strong grasp of philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, with the ability to 

drive systems-level, community change.

• Deep knowledge of the Greater Washington region's political, social, and 

philanthropic landscape.

• Track record of translating strategy into measurable outcomes and leading 

high-performing teams.

• Skilled at launching new initiatives and negotiating partnerships, contracts, 

and business agreements.

• Excellent executive presence and communication skills, with experience 

engaging boards, funders, and public officials.

• Strong relationship-building, judgment, and adaptability, with a deep 

commitment to people, planet, and possibility