Vice President, International Program

Position description

Carnegie Corporation of New York, which Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) established in 1911 “to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding,” and to do “real and permanent good in this world,” is one of the oldest and most influential of American grantmaking foundations. Mr. Carnegie endowed the Corporation with the bulk of his fortune, $135 million.

The Corporation has devoted unremitting effort toward the two issues Andrew Carnegie considered of paramount importance: international peace and the advancement of education and knowledge. While these remain areas in need of great attention throughout the nation and the world, the Corporation has maintained a long tradition of striving to respond to current threats to international peace and security.

Position Overview

The vice president, international program is a direct report and strategic partner to the president, Dame Louise Richardson, and is responsible for shaping, executing, and stewarding the Corporation’s global strategy. This role leads the foundation’s work across three emerging and interconnected themes: movements of people, non-state actors, and preventing and managing conflict.

The vice president provides strategic vision, oversees grantmaking, and represents the Corporation with grantees, global partners, and scholars. This leader ensures that the Corporation remains at the forefront of understanding international change and investing in organizations capable of strengthening peace and stability worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Refine and implement a strategy that advances the Corporation’s priorities across the three themes:
  
  
  • Movements of People: global migration flows, displacement, demographic change, and the systems that support human mobility.

  
  

  • Non-State Actors: the influence of political, social, economic, and violent actors operating outside formal state structures.

  
  

  • Preventing and Managing Conflict: efforts to reduce fragility, enhance resilience, and support local, national, and regional conflict-management mechanisms.

  
  

 

• Provide leadership on emerging geopolitical and societal trends shaping global peace and security while maintaining our long-time commitment to nuclear security and higher education in Africa.

 

• Ensure collaboration between the International Program, the National Program, and cross-foundation initiatives.

Program & Portfolio Management

• Lead a team of 11 to design, manage, and evaluate grant portfolios that advance the program’s strategic framework.

 

• Identify high-impact organizations, networks, and research efforts that can shape and inform global policy and practice.

 

• Strengthen the program’s analytic capacity to assess risk, measure impact, and identify high-leverage opportunities.

External Engagement & Field Leadership

• Build and sustain strong relationships with leaders across philanthropy, government, academia, and civil society to amplify the Corporation’s influence and impact.

 

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with current and future global leaders in migration, peacebuilding, foreign policy, and civil society.

 

• Act as a public representative of the Corporation, conveying its mission and priorities at conferences and through the media.

 

• Build strategic partnerships that expand Carnegie’s influence and enable grantees to scale successful programs for broader impact.

 

• Engage actively with the Board of Trustees, providing insight and fostering strategic dialogue that enhances programmatic direction.

Qualifications

• Intellectual Leadership & Relevant Experience: Significant leadership experience in philanthropy and/or one or more of the relevant subject areas within the International Program portfolio. Intellectual curiosity and credibility across a breadth of relevant social and policy issues.

 

• Strategy, Vision & Commitment: A track record of designing and implementing strategic initiatives that yield measurable impact. Creates compelling strategies based on a clear understanding of the organization’s history and current situation, and a long-term vision. Ability to collaborate thoughtfully and transparently with the president on important matters of mission and direction. A desire to make a long-term commitment to the conception and implementation of the strategy and vision.

 

• Team Management: Proven ability to lead high-performing, mission-driven teams, driving operational excellence, setting and measuring goals, and managing through change. Ability to foster a collegial and collaborative environment that drives staff towards action and accomplishment. Strong organizational skills and possession of budget management and fiscal administration acumen.

 

• Stakeholder Management: A true relationship builder and maintainer. Demonstrated experience working with a broad set of internal and external stakeholders to define and articulate ambitious objectives and to connect stakeholders to contribute to their realization. Exceptional oral communication and presentation skills, with the capacity to elevate the Corporation’s impact and role within the wide philanthropic ecosystem.

 

• Exceptional Writing Skills: Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively across a variety of formats and audiences. Adept at tailoring messages for different stakeholders, from internal teams to external partners, and the public. A strong command of grammar, tone, and narrative structure is critical to producing high-impact content that reflects the organization’s voice and values.

Qualifications and Attributes of the Ideal Candidate

• Advanced degree in international relations, political science, public policy, regional studies, or a related field.

 

• Minimum of 15 years of leadership experience in international affairs, philanthropy, policy, or a globally oriented nonprofit or academic institution.

 

• Mission Alignment: Clear investment in Carnegie’s mission and values, with a strong commitment to public service and the transformative power of philanthropy. A deep commitment and respect for bipartisanship and political centrism, reducing polarization, and the robust exchange of ideas.

 

• Collaboration: Cultivates a collaborative, energetic, solutions-oriented culture across the team, ensuring alignment and collective action with clarity of direction.

 

• Impact Oriented: Driven by delivering quality, measurable benefits to Carnegie’s grantees and the stakeholders they serve. Seeks to consistently assess, enhance, and better their grantees in service of a shared mission.

 

• Ethics and Integrity: Principled and ethical, demonstrating integrity, transparency, and a deep sense of fiduciary responsibility.

 

• Resilient and Adaptable: A nimble, flexible leader who adapts quickly to changing circumstances. Instilled with a sense of optimism and openness to change, facing challenges head-on and adjusting strategy as needed.

Salary and Benefits

• Compensation for this role will be determined based on experience and skill set, with an anticipated salary range of $385,000-$415,000 plus generous medical benefits and retirement contributions.

Application instructions

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