CEO

Founded in 1969, Philanthropy Massachusetts is a diverse and vibrant membership association of highly engaged philanthropic organizations and individuals with interests in Massachusetts and surrounding areas. Our mission is to promote the practice and expansion of effective and responsible philanthropy to improve the health and vitality of its region. Philanthropy Massachusetts serves as a bridge between funders and fund applicants for better understanding, efficiency, and impact. As a leading and influential voice and advocate for effective philanthropy, Philanthropy Massachusetts provides access to knowledge and cooperative action that enables our members to create extraordinary value for each other and their grantees.

As one of the most comprehensive regional associations of funders and nonprofit organizations in the nation, Philanthropy Massachusetts has long been viewed as a leader in that field. Now in our 54th year, Philanthropy Massachusetts has a membership of 150 diverse philanthropic organizations including corporate, private, and public foundations and giving programs, philanthropic advisory services and wealth managers, individual donors, and other philanthropy-serving organizations. Philanthropy Massachusetts serves as a bridge between funder members and 400 nonprofit ‘partners’ by giving access to research, tools, classes, and information to support fund development programs, providing professional development and networking opportunities for nonprofit staff members, and giving organizations more visibility among and access to grant makers.

The Board of Directors has 20 members, and in addition to the Chief Executive Officer, there are 12 staff members. Philanthropy Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization committed to employing a diverse workforce.

To learn more, please visit https://philanthropyma.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for assuring Philanthropy Massachusetts’ value to its members and assuring high-quality programs and services for its various constituencies. The Chief Executive Officer will carry out the continued achievements of PMA’s mission and vision, leading the organization to achieve greater levels of influence, impact, innovation, and equity in the Massachusetts philanthropic market. The CEO will provide sound fiscal leadership, staff leadership and supervision, program development, operational oversight, and external relations. They will lead the charge supporting our members to move the Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) needle within their organizations and communities and to collectively move the field in advancing equity and justice in the philanthropic sector and the Commonwealth. They are responsible for working with the Board to set strategic direction, determine goals, and establish the optimal mix of partnerships and alliances.

The Chief Executive Officer must embody collaborative, goal-oriented leadership and collaborative partnership-building and is expected and encouraged to take a vigorous leadership role in the local, regional, and national philanthropic communities. The Chief Executive Officer acts as a spokesperson for philanthropy in all its forms and must be broadly knowledgeable about the field including the interface with public policy. They must be experienced and effective with external relations and communications with various audiences including the media and will be encouraged to be actively involved in the United Philanthropy Forum and other key organizations such as the Center for Effective Philanthropy and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Continue the key work of maintaining the core PMA network by building meaningful and authentic relationships with members to remain informed about, and responsive to, the diverse and changing interests of current and future members.

• Align members around key issues in the philanthropy space for advocacy, shared learning, and collaborative action.

• Maintain, cultivate, and leverage relationships with key decision-makers in the philanthropic community with diplomacy, tact, and skill.

• Apply expertise in the fields of philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, and public policy aligned to these areas to benefit PMA members through compelling programs, informed strategy, and valuable expertise.

• Offer exceptional programs and services that are responsive to and lead a diverse philanthropic community with cultural competency.

• Implement a comprehensive strategy to engage and steward current members, while creatively and enthusiastically cultivating new members.

• Represent Philanthropy Massachusetts as a leader in the community at events and other settings and forums, including as the media face and voice of the organization.

• Ensure Philanthropy Massachusetts maintains a professional presence in the field of philanthropy and participates in relevant events, conferences, briefings, and meetings.

• Participate in partnerships and collaborative opportunities with other nonprofit organizations as appropriate.

Staff Development and Board Partnership

• Be an influential and inspirational leader who, in partnership with the Board, sets and clearly articulates a vision for Philanthropy Massachusetts and how it can effectively deploy its assets to impact its membership and drive positive change.

• Build and retain a talented and inclusive team that embraces a culture of member service, humility, collaboration, and shared learning.

• Commit to professional development and mentoring of staff, with a focus on creating leadership opportunities at all levels and ensuring equity among staff.

• Oversee strategic planning and annual goal setting to ensure the growth and support of the mission.

• Collaborate with Board Members to establish a vision and strategy for PMA, building on input from staff and members.

• Support Board engagement through partnership and preparation for all Board Members.

• Provide ongoing and thorough updates to the Board on PMA’s areas of success and areas needing support.

Financial and Business Acumen

• Grow ongoing revenue through member dues and donations, based on positive and ongoing partnerships with members and funders.

• Partner with staff to monitor budgets and plan accordingly.

• In partnership with staff and board, raise funds for special initiatives, network leadership activities, and capital expenses.

• Develop and manage long-term sustainable revenue streams and business models to sufficiently support programs, activities, operations, and new initiatives, including grants, capital campaigns, fiscal sponsorships, investment revenue, or other measures.

• Oversee all business operations, including systems, technology, outsourced functions, and other vendor relationships, including managing all ongoing invoices and payments.

• Develop, implement, and refine operational policies, practices, and guidelines, ensuring best practices and compliance.

• Collaborate with and prepare for Board meetings, including meeting logistics, agendas, materials, and communications.

Advocacy and Representation

• Serve as an ambassador on behalf of PMA, ensuring engagement with a wide stakeholder group, including funders, media, policymakers, non-profits, the public, and other philanthropy-serving organizations.

• Serve as a thought leader with a deep commitment to racial justice, equity, and inclusion. Equipped with a multi-faceted understanding of the evolving racial justice landscape, the CEO will lead the organization’s efforts to develop shared language and strategies that challenge and dismantle oppressive systems, racism, white supremacy, and other barriers to opportunities for racial reconciliation.

Candidate Profile

Strong candidates will bring excellent management and operational skills, deep communications and relationship-building expertise, experience with grantmaking, and the ability to manage multiple, competing priorities and responsibilities with a sense of calm and confidence.

The Chief Executive Officer will bring the expertise required to ensure that Philanthropy Massachusetts has operational oversight of the highest caliber and is structured to continue achieving its mission and goals.

Desired skills and experiences include:

• Visionary, innovative, and entrepreneurial leadership in the philanthropic, nonprofit, and/or public service sectors.

• Experience with membership associations and/or private foundations is not required but is considered a plus.

• Extensive and high-level experience in the nonprofit sector, with particular experience in the field of philanthropy; Ability to analyze sector trends, needs, and challenges at all levels – city, state, national, and international.

• Exceptional communications and interpersonal skills, with a true love for relationship-building and networking.

• Authentic passion for Philanthropy Massachusetts’ mission and impact.

• Commitment to values of Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) and advancing equity and justice in the philanthropic sector.

• Exceptional fiscal leadership, strong business acumen, and fundraising expertise.

• Familiarity with governance, including regulations and best practices.

• Demonstrated skill in thinking strategically and creatively, with experiencing engaging and unifying a diverse set of stakeholders and applying an entrepreneurial lens; Approach that combines humility with decisive leadership.

• Ability to bring diverse groups of people together towards a common purpose and to create and engage in collaborative partnerships.

• Capacity to create and lead public policy initiatives that respond to the membership needs, in partnership with staff.

• Commitment to the potential and significant contribution Philanthropy Massachusetts offers to the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

• Knowledge and experience in racial equity principles and practices, with experience in organizational implementation.

• Track record of staff management that ensures that everyone reaches their full potential.

• Experience supporting and partnering with a Board of Directors.

• Ability to balance complex needs and strategy while also ensuring effective management of day-to-day details.

• Understanding of the unique landscape of the Massachusetts philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

• Advanced degree preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Philanthropy Massachusetts has a competitive benefits package and offers a salary that is commensurate with experience.

CONTACT

Liz Lombard and Angie Sessoms of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role please fill out our Talent Profile: https://apptrkr.com/4851653 or email Angie directly at asessoms@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

ABOUT KOYA PARTNERS

Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

Learn more about how we can help you with your search at https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/our-brands/koya-partners/.