Vice President, International Program
12 days ago
New York
Job Description Carnegie Corporation of New York, which Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) established in 1911 “to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding,” and to do “real and permanent good in this world,” is one of the oldest and most influential of American grantmaking foundations. Mr. Carnegie endowed the Corporation with the bulk of his fortune, $135 million. The Corporation has devoted unremitting effort toward the two issues Andrew Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace and the advancement of education and knowledge. While these remain areas in need of great attention throughout the nation and the world, the Corporation has maintained a long tradition of striving to respond to current threats to international peace and security. Position Overview The Vice President, International Program serves as a principal strategic partner and advisor to Dame Louise Richardson, helping shape and advance the Corporation’s global vision and institutional priorities. As an officer of the foundation and member of the senior leadership team, this role is responsible for setting the intellectual and strategic agenda for Carnegie’s international portfolio and ensuring the foundation’s influence in the most consequential debates affecting global peace, stability, and democratic institutions. This position calls for a seasoned international leader with deep experience operating at the highest levels of policy, research, or practice. The Vice President will translate global trends into bold philanthropic strategy, steward significant investments, and elevate the Corporation’s voice through thought leadership, field-building, and high-level partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, universities, think tanks, and civil society organizations. Leading work that advances peace across three interconnected themes—movements of people, non-state actors, and preventing and managing conflict—the Vice President will oversee a team and portfolio of grants while serving as a visible external ambassador and convener. This leader will bring credibility, networks, and judgment to engage senior global stakeholders, influence discourse, and position the Corporation at the forefront of understanding international affairs. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Vision • Refine and implement a strategy that advances the Corporation’s priorities across the three themes:, • Movements of People: global migration flows, displacement, demographic change, and the systems that support human mobility., • Non-State Actors: the influence of political, social, economic, and violent actors operating outside formal state structures., • Preventing and Managing Conflict: efforts to reduce fragility, enhance resilience, and support local, national, and regional conflict-management mechanisms., • Provide leadership on emerging geopolitical and societal trends shaping global peace and security while maintaining our long-time commitment to nuclear security and higher education in Africa., • Design and evaluate grant portfolios that advance the program’s strategic framework., • Identify high-impact organizations, networks, and research efforts that can shape and inform global policy and practice., • Build and sustain strong relationships with leaders across philanthropy, government, academia, and civil society to amplify the Corporation’s influence and impact., • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with current and future global leaders in migration, peacebuilding, foreign policy, and civil society., • Act as a public representative of the Corporation, conveying its mission and priorities at conferences and through the media., • Build strategic partnerships that expand Carnegie’s influence and enable grantees to scale successful programs for broader impact., • Intellectual Leadership & Relevant Experience: Executive-level leadership experience in philanthropy and/or one or more of the relevant subject areas within the International Program portfolio. Intellectual curiosity and credibility across a breadth of relevant social and policy issues., • Strategy, Vision & Commitment: A track record of designing and implementing strategic initiatives that yield measurable impact. Creates compelling strategies based on a clear understanding of the organization’s history and current situation, and a long-term vision. Ability to collaborate thoughtfully and transparently with the president on important matters of mission and direction. A desire to make a long-term commitment to the conception and implementation of the strategy and vision., • Team Management: Proven ability to lead high-performing, mission-driven teams, driving operational excellence, setting and measuring goals, and managing through change. Ability to foster a collegial and collaborative environment that drives staff towards action and accomplishment. Strong organizational skills and possession of budget management and fiscal administration acumen., • Stakeholder Management: A true relationship builder and maintainer. Demonstrated experience working with a broad set of internal and external stakeholders to define and articulate ambitious objectives and to connect stakeholders to contribute to their realization. Exceptional oral communication and presentation skills, with the capacity to elevate the Corporation’s impact and role within the wide philanthropic ecosystem., • Advanced degree in international relations, political science, public policy, regional studies, or a related field., • Minimum of 15 years of executive-level leadership experience in international affairs, philanthropy, policy, or a globally oriented nonprofit or academic institution., • Mission Alignment: Clear investment in Carnegie’s mission and values, with a strong commitment to public service and the transformative power of philanthropy. A deep commitment and respect for bipartisanship and political centrism, reducing polarization, and the robust exchange of ideas., • Collaboration: Cultivates a collaborative, energetic, solutions-oriented culture across the team, ensuring alignment and collective action with clarity of direction., • Impact Oriented: Driven by delivering quality, measurable benefits to Carnegie’s grantees and the stakeholders they serve. Seeks to consistently assess, enhance, and better their grantees in service of a shared mission., • Ethics and Integrity: Principled and ethical, demonstrating integrity, transparency, and a deep sense of fiduciary responsibility. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.