Vice President, National Program

Overview

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 meet current challenges and responding to the constant ebb and flow of issues and ideas.

Today the Corporation supports four key program areas through its National Program (Education and Democracy) and its International Program (International Peace and Security and Higher Education and Research in Africa).

• Education – The Corporation’s Education grantmaking aims to help young people from all backgrounds move from the classroom to meaningful careers, create greater socioeconomic mobility, and encourage civic participation in communities nationwide. In this way, the Education program works to support the forces of cohesion that build trust in public institutions, reduce political polarization, and strengthen our democracy.
• Democracy – Carnegie’s Strengthening U.S. Democracy program supports nonpartisan organizations that are working to reduce political polarization in the United States through initiatives focused on legal pathways for immigrant integration, voting and elections, state community service, and civic learning. Across these areas of focus, Carnegie supports research, convenings, public education, and other activities aimed at strengthening American democracy and public trust in government and institutions.
• International Peace and Security – The Corporation aims to build a more secure, peaceful, and prosperous world through independent analysis and action addressing critical global challenges.
• Higher Education and Research in Africa – The Corporation works to strengthen Africa’s higher education sector by improving the training, retention, and research productivity of academics in select countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Corporation has invested $134.43 million to help the continent develop and retain the next generation of African academics, build connections between members of the African academic diaspora and African universities, and facilitate higher education policy and research.

In January 2023, Dame Louise Richardson joined Carnegie Corporation of New York as its 13th president. Prior to this she was the first woman to lead the University of Oxford in England as vice-chancellor and the first to serve as principal and vice-chancellor of the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She also served as executive dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.

The Corporation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees that includes the foundation president and is chaired by Janet Robinson. The Board is committed to ensuring that the Corporation manages its assets to continue Mr. Carnegie’s philanthropy in perpetuity. The Board sets strategy for grantmaking programs to advance the mission and goals set forth by Mr. Carnegie.

Endowment: $4.5 billion (2024). During fiscal year 2023–2024, 353 grants were awarded for a total of $174 million.

Employees: Approximately 75

Location: New York, New York

Website: https://www.carnegie.org/about/

Management Team: https://www.carnegie.org/about/staff/

Trustees: https://www.carnegie.org/about/trustees/

The Position

Title: Vice President, National Program

Location: New York, New York

Reports to: Dame Louise Richardson, President

Team: A team of 11 with two direct reports: Ambika Kapur, Program Director, Education; Saskia Levy Thompson, Program Director, Education

Position Summary

The Vice President, National Program is a direct report and strategic partner to the President of Carnegie Corporation of New York and a key member of the executive leadership team. As one of two primary program officers (along with the Vice President, International Program), this senior leader plays a vital role in shaping and executing the Corporation’s national strategy around education and democracy. In Education, the focus is on identifying and supporting those who are improving – and improving access to – public education from early years through high school. In the Democracy sphere, along with a traditional commitment to immigrant integration and voting rights, the National Program also focuses on identifying grantmaking programs that mitigate political polarization. Through strategic grantmaking, the Vice President is responsible for delivering high-impact initiatives and advancing the overall mission of the foundation.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Lead the strategic direction and implementation of all National Program initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Corporation’s mission and long-term goals.
• As Vice President, guide the development and management of the National Program’s grantmaking strategies and ensure consistent progress toward desired outcomes.
• Lead the merger of the Education and Democracy portfolios with intellectual creativity and interpersonal deftness.
• Design and oversee National Program activities and events, fostering collaboration among grantees, field experts, and policymakers.
• Monitor emerging trends and evolving needs in education and democracy to inform proactive grantmaking and program innovation.
• Evaluate grant proposals and organizational capabilities, including budgets, staffing plans, and anticipated impacts, to ensure alignment with the Corporation’s strategic framework.
• Participate actively in setting the strategic agenda for the entire foundation and identifying synergies between different program areas.

External Engagement and Field Leadership

• Build and sustain strong relationships with leaders across philanthropy, education, government, academia, and civil society to amplify the Corporation’s influence and impact.
• Serve as a public ambassador for the Corporation, representing its mission and work at conferences and in the media.
• Engage actively with the Board of Trustees, providing insight and fostering strategic dialogue that enhances programmatic direction.

The Person

Pivotal Experience and Expertise

• Intellectual Leadership & Relevant Experience: Significant leadership experience in philanthropy and/or one or more of the relevant subject areas (education and democracy) within the National 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.

Culture Impact

• 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.

Additional Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as education, public policy, or management.
• Proficiency with digital tools and information systems to support effective program management and communication.

Salary Range

Compensation for this role will be determined based on experience and skill set, with an anticipated salary range of $375,000-$400,000 plus generous medical benefits and retirement contributions.

Carnegie Corporation of New York is an equal opportunity employer committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity (“EEOC”) laws. The Carnegie Corporation of New York strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, height and weight, disability, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The Corporation abides by all applicable rules and regulations in its recruiting and employment practices including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.

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