Managing Director - PRI Makers Network

We're Hiring!

Reporting to the CEO of Philanthropy Northwest and based in Seattle, Washington, the Managing Director of the PRI Makers Network is a senior staff member responsible for soup-to-nuts management of the PRI Makers Network and for strategic synergies with Philanthropy Northwest within the field of program-related investment (PRIs) and other mission investments.

Philanthropy Northwest

Philanthropy Northwest is a non-profit membership association representing almost 200 corporations and foundations committed to thoughtful and strategic philanthropy. It has a thirty-year history promoting innovation and providing support to philanthropy in the Pacific Northwest, and has a particular interest in developing program-related investment capacity in foundations. As a membership organization with deep and broad staff expertise, it will support the PRI Makers Network in its efforts to provide professional development, networking, capacity and other benefits to this quickly growing area of philanthropy. Philanthropy Northwest plays a leadership role for a national network of regional associations of grantmakers interested in promoting best practices in philanthropy. For more information about Philanthropy Northwest, visit www.philanthropynw.org.

PRI Makers Network

The PRI Makers Network is an association of grantmakers who use program-related and other investments to accomplish their philanthropic goals. Its mission is to provide a forum for networking, professional development, collaboration and outreach to funders, including those not currently making PRIs or other social investments. Through its activities, PRI Makers Network seeks to strengthen the capacity of grantmakers to effect change across diverse program areas.

The goal of the Network over the next three to five years is to consolidate the gains and continue the expansion of capital available to institutions of social change (nonprofits, public sector, public-private partnerships, etc.), because PRIs and other mission investments can increase the capacity of these social change institutions to implement their missions and deliver social impact.

PRI Makers Network was informally organized in 2004 by about a dozen foundations engaged in making program-related investments. Working through Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG), an affinity group of foundations, the Network’s Steering Committee formulated some early objectives. In 2005, the Network hired a staff person, developed formal governance and program policies, started www.primakers.net, and planned its first national PRI Conference that occurred at Stanford University in January 2006 with 145 participants. Its membership and influence on the field has continued to grow, with the development of additional training and other member benefits. In January 2008, more than 225 foundation representatives attended the second PRI Conference in New Orleans. PRI Makers Network has a current membership of nearly 100 foundations, and the interest in PRIs and other mission investing practices continues to grow.

In Summer 2008, the Steering Committee of the PRI Makers Network determined that moving to Philanthropy Northwest would bring access to important synergies, expertise, and resources.

Position summary

The successful candidate will enjoy working with a very engaged leadership in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven environment. The candidate will be the first full-time managing director working out of PRI Makers Network’s new home at Philanthropy Northwest. During this first year, the candidate will learn about both organizations and implement a workplan that capitalizes on the objectives and resources of both to further the use of PRIs and mission investments. This workplan is the result of a 3-year plan completed by the steering committee in early 2008. Candidate must be willing to contribute at all levels of management, fundraising and administration; be computer literate; and be adept at managing consultants. Expertise in several of the following content areas would be ideal:

Association management, especially member services and development
Philanthropy
Fundraising
Marketing and communications
Meetings and conference management
Lending (especially lending to nonprofits), community economic development, affordable housing, small business development or the like.

Workplan activities will include:

MEMBERSHIP: Maintain a membership database and be responsive to a growing network of more than 100 dues-paying foundation members. This includes the continuous review of member services and benefits.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE: Plan and manage a national conference of 250+ participants in 2009.
INFORMATION AND NETWORKING: Maintain and upgrade a portfolio of tools and approaches, including what is currently available through www.primakers.net, that enable information-sharing, networking, and the development of communities of interest, and that serve as a central clearinghouse on knowledge for the field.
PRI ACTIVITY DATABASE: In partnership with The Foundation Center, collect and maintain information on PRIs and other mission investing on an annual basis. The PRI Activity Database is a critical source for data on the status/growth of the field and for collaborative dealmaking.
TRAINING/WORKSHOPS: In addition to the PRI Institute – a semi-annual seminar for 20-30 foundation representatives -- develop and offer training opportunities to existing PRI makers, new staff to foundations making PRIs, and new foundations seeking to make PRIs.
OUTREACH: Encourage the use of PRIs and other social investments as part of a philanthropic strategy. Maximize the relationships and resources available through Philanthropy Northwest and other strategic partners to achieve greater use of these tools.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEADERSHIP: Working closely with an active, engaged Steering Committee of between 14 and 22 members, the Managing Director, PRI Makers Network recommends and maintains an administrative, leadership, and governance structure for PRI Makers that is flexible, inclusive and cost effective.
OTHER ACTIVITIES TO DEVELOP THE INDUSTRY: Build the use of PRIs through a) the development of common language and tools, b) the implementation of research initiatives, and c) building the capacity of industry partners including PRI seekers.

The Managing Director, PRI Makers Network will work closely with the PRI Makers Network Steering Committee and also collaboratively with all Philanthropy Northwest staff, utilizing leadership, training, communications, administration expertise wherever appropriate. The Managing Director, PRI Makers Network will serve as the in-house expert and resource to members of Philanthropy Northwest on PRIs and mission investing. The Managing Director will be responsible for revenue generation (through membership, earned income, and contributed income) and growth, and will have profit and loss responsibility for an initial budget of $400-$500k. This includes budget oversight, tracking income and expenses, and reconciling with the accounts held by Philanthropy Northwest.

Professional qualifications and desired skills

The Managing Director, PRI Makers Network ideally possesses the following professional qualifications and skills:

Bachelor’s degree required; additional graduate education in areas such as public administration, public policy, marketing, finance, or other related areas is a plus.
A minimum of eight to ten years of increasingly responsible senior level work experience in philanthropy, membership management and development, association management, partnership development, lending or investing, or community economic development.
Expertise and/or strong working knowledge of project management, marketing and communications, working with leadership committees, and fundraising.
Proven experience in the philanthropic or nonprofit sectors and nonprofit accounting preferred. Knowledge of the structure and operational nature of foundations desired;
Demonstrated leadership and management skill, including ability to manage internal and external teams effectively and to supervise external professional consultants;
An effective communicator and listener, possessing superior writing and editing skills with the ability to communicate in a manner that will advance the PRI Makers Network and Philanthropy Northwest’s values, mission and goals;
An experienced communicator through web and web-based technologies;
Demonstrated ability to plan and think strategically, set realistic goals and objectives, and balance multiple priorities; and
A high energy level, confident, team and customer-service oriented.

Compensation

Compensation includes a competitive base salary $65,000 to $85,000, depending on qualifications and experience, and an excellent benefits package.

Submit Interest

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and writing samples via email prior to 11/3/2008 to:

jobs@philanthropynw.org

Please use the subject line: “Application for PRI Makers Managing Director”

Applications will be accepted until November 3, 2008. Finalists will be expected to interview in Seattle during the weeks of November 10th and 17th, 2008. Expected start date is on or before January 5, 2009.

Philanthropy Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer

For more information about the PRI Makers Network and Philanthropy Northwest, visit www.PRIMakers.net or www.PhilanthropyNW.org