***Note: Applications will be reviewed and responded to until the position is filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by April 5 in order to be considered for initial interview rounds.***

About the Disability & Philanthropy Forum

Disability & Philanthropy Forum (DPF) is a philanthropic-serving organization working to advance disability justice, rights, and inclusion across the philanthropic sector. Through education, leadership development, field convenings, and strategic engagement, DPF supports foundations and philanthropic institutions to move from learning to institutional change—centering disabled people and disability-led organizations in decision-making and resource allocation.

DPF is entering its next chapter of growth: strengthening its internal infrastructure, and deepening its role as a steward of sector-wide accountability and change.

For more information about the Forum, please visit https://disabilityphilanthropy.org/.

Position Summary

Disability & Philanthropy Forum seeks a strategic, operationally grounded, and justice-centered Deputy Director to serve as the organization’s chief internal leader and primary thought partner to the Executive Director.

This role is designed to build and steward the internal systems, culture, and infrastructure that allow DPF to move from a strong, founder-driven Phase 1 into a sustainable, high-impact Phase 2. The Deputy Director will optimize organizational effectiveness, strengthen staff management and accountability, lead infrastructure development , and ensure that DPF’s internal operations embody disability justice values.

This is primarily an internal-facing leadership role (approximately 85% internal, 15% external engagement).

Essential Responsibilities: Areas of Leadership & Key Qualifications

Organizational Infrastructure & Systems Leadership

DPF is moving from a start-up model into a more structured and sustainable phase. The Deputy Director will build and steward the internal engine of the organization and lead the design and implementation of operational systems that reduce fragility, clarify workflows, and support long-term growth that is aligned with the organization's five year strategic plan.

Lead development and implementation of internal operational systems (HR, finance, planning, cross-team workflows).
In thought partnership with the Executive Director, lead and manage internal infrastructure, including:
Staff handbook
Policies and procedures
Internal controls and compliance
Governance and Advisory Committee processes
Implement sustainable project management systems and cross-training practices to reduce siloing and single-point dependencies
Ensure effective coordination across Membership, Learning Services, and Communications functions
Oversee internal planning cycles, annual goal-setting, and departmental work plans
Manage key external contractors (HR, finance, legal, retreat facilitators)
Strengthen internal accountability mechanisms and performance evaluation processes

Key Qualifications:

Significant experience in nonprofit operations or organizational development, ideally in a growing or evolving organization
Experience building systems, policies, and internal infrastructure from the ground up
Familiarity with nonprofit HR compliance, financial oversight, and governance structures
Experience managing budgets and supporting annual operating planning
Demonstrated ability to move organizations from informal systems to sustainable, scalable structures
Strong project management experience and comfort with CRM, Google Suite, and project management tools
Experience managing remote teams and workflows

People Leadership, Culture & Accountability

DPF is a fully remote, majority-disabled team that is deeply committed to flexibility, care, and intersectional justice. The Deputy Director will strengthen performance, clarity, and care within a disability justice workplace, by helping to balance care with clarity, collaboration with decisiveness, and flexibility with accountability.

Supervise and support team leads in Membership, Learning Services, and External Affairs
Strengthen performance management systems, including 360 evaluations and clear development pathways
Build transparent decision-making processes and improve internal communication flow
Create clear role alignment and ensure staff are working at the appropriate level of responsibility
Support conflict resolution and performance conversations with nuance and care
Lead culture-building initiatives that center disability justice and intersectionality
Oversee staff retreats and professional development initiatives
Develop cross-training systems to increase resilience and continuity

Key Qualifications:

Demonstrated success managing and developing managers and cross-functional teams, particularly in a remote work environment
Experience handling sensitive HR and performance management issues with nuance and accountability
Strong relational leadership skills; able to build trust across differences
Ability to be directive and decisive while explaining rationale transparently
Experience working within disability-led, justice-centered, or intersectional social justice environments
Deep understanding of disability justice principles and anti-oppressive leadership practices
Lived experience of disability strongly preferred
Comfort managing remote team dynamics and diverse communication styles

Strategic Partnership & Executive Thought Leadership

The Deputy Director will serve as the Executive Director’s primary internal partner—ensuring that strategic vision translates into operational execution while safeguarding organizational sustainability.

Serve as strategic thought partner on organizational priorities and growth
Advise on capacity planning and sustainable expansion
Support alignment between departmental goals and overall strategic plan
Identify emerging operational risks and opportunities
Help establish boundaries around scope and institutional priorities
Support board development and governance strategy
Advise on institutional voice and internal alignment for external engagement

Key Qualifications:

Experience serving as a senior-level deputy, Chief of Staff, Vice President, or second-in-command
Strong systems thinking and organizational change management experience
Ability to translate big-picture vision into executable plans
Experience supporting fundraising strategy through operational planning
Comfort advising executive leadership and providing candid, strategic input
Familiarity with philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs), foundations, or intermediaries preferred

Sector Engagement & Field Representation

While primarily internally focused, the Deputy Director will represent DPF in select external engagements and support sector accountability efforts.

Support design and internal coordination for Presidents’ Council meetings
Represent DPF at conferences and sector events as needed (estimated quarterly travel)
Build relationships with philanthropic partners and disability community leaders
Advise on public statements aligned with DPF’s mission
Provide moderation support for webinars and programming as needed

Key Qualifications:

Familiarity with the philanthropic ecosystem and philanthropic infrastructure organizations
Comfort engaging CEOs, senior foundation leaders, and grassroots advocates
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Understanding of disability policy landscape and sector dynamics
Ability to translate disability justice principles into institutional philanthropic practice

Core Leadership Experience

Across all Areas of Leadership, the ideal candidate will demonstrate:\

Deep grounding in disability justice, rights, and inclusion
Anti-ableist, anti-racist, and intersectional leadership approach
Humility, learner orientation, and comfort being wrong
Decisiveness paired with transparency
Strong organizational and project management discipline
Ability to embed equity into systems—not just culture
Commitment to building something sustainable, not personality-driven
Leads with a collaborative, team-player mindset and sense of humor

Compensation & Benefits

$135,000- $150,000 annual salary range
As part of a total compensation package, benefits include but are not limited to:
Immediate, employment day-1 eligibility for medical, dental, and vision coverage
Health and dependent care FSAs and commuter reimbursement benefits
401k/Roth 401k offerings
Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday time off
Wellness offerings
Other voluntary benefit offerings, such as personal term life insurance, additional short-term disability insurance, and pet insurance at discounted rates

Location, Travel & Availability

Remote role for any location within the continental United States
Ability to travel up to 3-4 days at a time, for 1-2 weeks per quarter, for conferences and convenings

To Apply

Disability & Philanthropy Forum has engaged Axis Talent Partners to lead this search process. With a strong track record of recruiting successful leaders from diverse backgrounds, Axis is a consultant and executive search firm that partners with social impact organizations to center equity and inclusion in search processes. Interested candidates should submit an application, including a resume and responses to the application questions, detailing their qualifications for the position and their interest in DPF’s mission.

Axis Talent Partners is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing equitable and inclusive access throughout the hiring process. Interview questions will be provided in advance. Alternative interview formats (e.g. phone only, closed captioning transcription etc.) and flexible scheduling (e.g. extended interview times) will be made available. For any additional candidate accommodation requests, please contact Nadia Khan at nadia@axistalentpartners.com.

The Disability & Philanthropy Forum is fiscally sponsored by Proteus Fund. Proteus Fund believes that one of the greatest strengths of an organization is the rich diversity of its staff and Board and is committed to providing equal employment and promotional opportunities based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under the law. Proteus Fund’s policies and practices are to reflect Proteus Fund’s commitment to nondiscrimination in all areas of employment.

Disability & Philanthropy Forum

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