Program Director

Thompson Family Foundation - New York, NY; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Thompson Family Foundation in New York seeks a Program Director to lead the development and execution of a new grantmaking portfolio. You will build out strategy, manage research, design grants, and evaluate impact while coordinating with the executive director and board.

You will supervise a program associate, collaborate across teams, and allocate a growing $10–20 million per area over five years, focusing on criminal justice, college/career access, and the environment, with a commitment

Qualifications

• Experience designing and evaluating grant programs.
• Ability to coordinate strategy with operations and governance.
• Strong analytical skills for impact assessment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Thompson's grantmaking strategy and portfolio.
• Lead research, grant design, and evaluation processes.
• Coordinate across the executive director and board, supervising staff.
• Build a scalable model allocating funds to partners with flexibility.

Skills

Grantmaking

Strategy

Operations

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Since 2009, the Thompson Family Foundation has supported Arts, Culture & Public Space, Medical Research, and Community Service. Its founders, Wade and Angela Thompson, were passionate about New York and determined to make lasting contributions to its civic life. The hallmark of our grantmaking has been significant and transformative investments. In addition to funding large capital and endowment grants, Thompson has provided both general operating and project support. We concentrate on institutions that strengthen the city, but also make grants nationally and occasionally internationally. Thompson has been instrumental in revitalizing the Park Avenue Armory and developing innovations in cancer treatment.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Thompson Family Foundation is planning an expansion into new program areas over the next three years. We will double our commitments to $30 million annually across three major categories: 1.) new responses to critical issues; 2.) capital and endowment investments; and 3.) core support to current partners. The Program Director will be charged with building out the strategy and execution of the new responses portfolio. We will begin in three initial areas – criminal justice, college/career access, and the environment – and will dedicate $10-20 million to each over a five-year period. In addition, the Program Director will assist in surfacing, vetting, and selecting new areas in the future.

The Program Director will develop and execute the grantmaking program and refine Thompson’s approach to research, selection, grant design, and evaluation. The role requires both strategy and operations, as well as an ability to facilitate decision-making across a small and invested team. The Program Director will work in close partnership with the executive director and board president and will supervise a program associate. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about building a new model that will allocate dollars effectively while providing our partners with the diverse and flexible support they need to accomplish their goals.