Program Director, Grow Our Region

Description

About Us

The Cleveland Foundation, established in 1914, is the world's first and one of the largest community foundations, with assets exceeding $3 billion. Our mission is to enhance the lives of all residents of Greater Cleveland, now and for generations to come, by working together with our donors to build community endowment, address needs through grantmaking, and provide leadership on key community issues. 

As we continue to grow and evolve, we are dedicated to building strong relationships and trust across our community, working collaboratively to create innovative, impactful, and internationally recognized contributions to the field of philanthropy. 

About You

You are a forward-thinking leader with a passion for driving meaningful community impact and a strong sense of organizational accountability to deliver results. Skilled in strategic decision-making, clean execution and collaborative problem-solving, you have a proven ability to lead with integrity, inclusiveness, and innovation. Recognized for excellent communication, you can listen actively, seek to understand different perspectives, and apply innovative ideas to drive change. You possess a growth mindset, and an entrepreneurial approach that consistently delivers tangible social outcomes while upholding the values of transparency and collaboration.

Job Summary

The Program Director, Grow Our Region leads the strategic design, execution, and management of the Cleveland Foundation’s “Grow Our Region” portfolio, advancing the region’s economic competitiveness and growing good jobs in Cleveland. This role mobilizes resources, forges strategic partnerships, and drives measurable impact by aligning investments with the Foundation’s long-term mission to address historic inequity and foster community prosperity. The position reports directly to the Chief Impact Officer, with secondary supervision from the Vice President of Grantmaking.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a strategic investment plan and drive the implementation of the "Grow Our Region" pillar of the Foundation’s Impact Agenda, ensuring adherence to its principles, goals, and strategies.
• Lead and convene a cross-departmental team of Program Officers, Philanthropic Advisors and others to drive measurable impact and to mobilize resources towards the strategic goals and objectives of the Grow Our Region pillar including, but not limited to grantmaking, policy, donor-engaged giving and other resources.
• Convene partners, drive cross-sector visioning and lead systems-level change in Cleveland in economic development, workforce and talent development, sustainable regional growth, transportation, arts and culture and natural resources.
• Translate the Impact Agenda into actionable program initiatives, annual work plans, and measurable objectives.
• Assess the effectiveness of the strategies and recommend adjustments or refinements based on data, community feedback, and emerging best practices.
• Lead and manage the Grow Our Region portfolio, including proposal development, stakeholder management, and evaluation in alignment with the Impact Agenda.
• Design and manage strategies and guidelines that advance the goals of Grow Our Region while conducting due diligence to ensure proposals align with priorities and philanthropic principles.
• Support and strengthen partners through capacity building, problem solving, site visits, and outcome tracking to ensure accountability and community impact.
• Work collaboratively with Impact team members to identify metrics and routinely measure the impact and effectiveness of initiatives and grants.
• Prepare compelling reports and presentations on program outcomes and impact for internal stakeholders, the Board of Directors, donors, and the broader community.
• Stay current with best practices, research, and emerging trends in community development, urban planning, and neighborhood revitalization, using insights and active listening to inform program adjustments and future strategies.
• Manage performance with rigor and transparency, ensuring resources are allocated responsibly, strategically, and in ways that maximize philanthropic impact for the communities served.
• Provide mentorship to program officers, philanthropic advisors, associates or support staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Contribute to the Foundation’s overall strategic planning and organizational development.
• Identify and foster strategic partnerships that enhance the Foundation’s ability to execute the Grow Our Region pillar and achieve shared goals.
• Cultivate strong relationships with community leaders, grassroots organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a visible and trusted representative of the Foundation in the community.

General Competencies

• Judgment
• Communication
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Problem-Solving

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, business, workforce development, urban studies or a related field.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to drive progress in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Strong management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Experience in navigating, planning and executing in complex environments.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and strategic decision-making skills.
• Proven track record of successfully engaging diverse community stakeholders and building effective partnerships.
• Demonstrated expertise in budget management, including the ability to assess organizational sustainability and align resource allocation with philanthropic goals.
• Proficiency in relevant software, including Canva, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and grant management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public policy, business, urban planning and development, urban studies, economic development, or a related field.

Work Environment

• The role is primarily office-based, involving frequent interaction with executives, staff, and external partners.
• The position may require prolonged periods of sitting, as well as occasional lifting of light office supplies and materials.
• Occasional extended hours to meet deadlines or support special events.
• Frequent travel may be required for meetings, events, or conferences.