The Mellon Foundation (“Foundation”) is a not-for-profit, grant making organization that believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom to be found there. Through its grants, the Foundation seeks to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. The Foundation makes grants in four core program areas- Higher Learning, Public Knowledge, Arts and Culture, and Humanities in Place-and through its signature Presidential Initiatives. The Foundation seeks a Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Planning for Arts and Culture.

The Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Planning (MSIP) for Arts and Culture will be a strategic thinker and thought partner for the Program director. Reporting to the Program Director of Arts and Culture and a senior member of the Program Director’s team, the MSIP will assist the Director in shaping the vision and implementing ongoing and new initiatives within Arts and Culture. Both internally and externally, the MSIP will coordinate convenings and draft communications and serve as a critical resource to members of the Arts and Culture team. In addition, the MSIP will represent the Arts and Culture team in internal and external engagements relevant to the team’s strategic direction, programmatic activities, and grantmaking work.

Administration

• Develop documentation protocol and timelines for strategic planning and implementation of new directions for Arts and Culture programs.
• Work with the Program assistants in relation to grantmaking and grant tracking.
• Act as liaison with the Chief of Staff, Executive Vice President, and other Program Directors to ensure alignment between Arts and Culture priorities and those of the Foundation.
• Using PowerBi and other tools, manage data and conduct research and analysis concerning Arts and Culture grantmaking, and prepare presentations regarding same.
• Help plan effective convenings of grantees and other stakeholders.
• Help maintain a work environment that is kind, outcomes-oriented, and efficient.

Program and Budget Management

• Investigate, report upon, and, where appropriate, manage exploratory grant-making opportunities that may include programs focused on the intersection of the arts and social impact, digital experiences, cultural diplomacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and/or community vitality.
• Assist the Program Director in the development of budgets for the programs and strategic initiatives and in tracking of strategic initiative expenditures.
• Manage the Arts and Culture operational budget and the Arts and Culture grantmaking budget, liaising with the office of the Executive Vice President for Programs, grant accounting, finance, and other Foundation departments as needed.
• Envision, research, structure, and facilitate evaluation processes for the Arts and Culture grants, including creating and managing project plans and timelines.
• Provide research support to Arts and Culture grantmaking, including regarding substantive areas relating to grants.

Strategy and Leadership

• Work closely with the Program Director and Arts and Culture team to facilitate strategic planning for Arts and Culture, including by managing the assessment of grantmaking against existing strategies, the refining of previously articulated strategic plans, and the identification of priorities and plans for each year’s work.
• Assist the Director in preparation for meetings and conferences focused on matters of strategic concern for Arts and Culture.
• Serve as the Director’s representative and in own capacity on cross-Foundation committees, task forces, and in meetings with potential grantees and consultants on specific initiatives.
• Partner with the office of communication to develop clear, consistent, and effective communications about Arts and Culture.

View desired qualifications and complete benefits, compensation, and application requirements at job posting found here.

Apply via DRG, Talent Consulting Experts at this link.