Serving as the adaptive and visionary leader of the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, the Executive Director shapes and advances the field of philanthropy in Michigan and across the nation. This role is the Center's primary external face, cultivating relationships with foundations, philanthropic organizations, policymakers, practitioners, and academic partners to meaningfully advance effective philanthropy.

The Executive Director champions the Center's thought leadership by translating its research, programming, and convening power into insights that inform the broader philanthropic sector. This includes authoring and amplifying ideas through publications, conferences, policy conversations, and public discourse — positioning the Johnson Center as an indispensable resource and catalyst for the field.

Equally critical, the Executive Director serves as the primary conduit between the Johnson Center and Grand Valley State University, building and stewarding relationships across colleges, university leadership, and faculty to ensure the Center is well-integrated into the broader institutional community and positioned to leverage the full resources and reach of the university in service of its mission.

Internally, the Executive Director provides decisive leadership and oversees the overall administration and management of the Center's operations, aligning strategy, planning, evaluation, communications, and personnel management to ensure outcomes are achieved. This leader is also responsible for the Center's long-term financial health, including fundraising, budget management, endowment stewardship, and revenue growth in partnership with the Johnson Center's Leadership Council and GVSU's Provost and Development offices. This leader fosters a collaborative culture that reflects the integrative nature of the Center's mission — ensuring that its internal work is always in service of its larger role as a convener, connector, and thought leader for philanthropy.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

1) Strategic Visioning

a. Represent and promote a unified vision for the Johnson Center’s areas of activity. Develop organizational goals and objectives that advance the center’s mission to provide leadership training, applied research, and innovative resources for strengthening community-serving organizations.

b. Lead the development of programming, research, and revenue strategies, ensuring alignment with the center’s mission, donor intent, and strategic goals. Make timely, informed decisions that keep the center moving forward with clarity and purpose and oversee the effective and accurate

implementation of related systems and strategies.

c. Establish and enhance accountability systems to measure and track the center’s effectiveness and overall impact.

d. Serve as a key liaison and partner to the Grand Valley State University community and administration, representing the center's interests and integrating its work within the university's academic mission.

2) External Communication and Field Building

a. Steward the Johnson Center's history, culture, reputation, and strategic vision in regional, national, and philanthropic communities.

b. Serve as the primary spokesperson and thought leader for the center, effectively representing it in local, regional, and national settings, including media outlets, conferences, and public discourse.

c. Communicate the center’s work strategically to inspire philanthropic and partnership support.

d. Collaborate effectively with foundation leaders, peer institutions, and philanthropic partners to advance the field and expand the center's reach, impact, and influence.

3) Team Leadership

a. Foster and maintain a culture of teamwork, mutual respect, and collaboration among staff.

b. Support the center’s directors in their roles, promote professional development, and actively participate as a member of the Johnson Center’s leadership team, relevant university and academic affairs committees, and as lead liaison to the Johnson Center’s external Leadership Council.

4) Financial Sustainability

a. Lead and diversify revenue growth through grants, gifts, earned income opportunities, and fundraising initiatives, working closely with the Johnson Center's Leadership Council and GVSU's Provost and University Development offices.

b. Oversee budget development and management, ensuring sound fiscal practices and alignment with the center's strategic priorities.

c. Manage and steward the center's endowment funds, ensuring responsible use and adherence to donor intent, in partnership with University Development.

5) Perform other duties required/assigned by leadership.

GVSU - Johnson Center for Philanthropy jobs

Executive Director