Battle Creek, MI

Vice President, Place-Based Programs, W.K. Kellogg Foundation

The Organization

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.

Position Overview

The (WKKF), a leading national philanthropic institution helping communities create the conditions children need to thrive, is seeking nominations and applications for the position of Vice President for Place-Based Programs. In recent years, the foundation has sharpened its focus on improving conditions for vulnerable children, concentrating on three key factors of success and their intersections: education and learning; food, health, and well-being; and family economic security. This work is grounded in WKKF’s multi-generational commitments to communities in its critical places – New Mexico, Michigan, Mississippi, New Orleans, Mexico, and Haiti. In partnership with these communities, WKKF seeks to bring the power of all of its resources – national and place-based learning and history, financial resources, relationships, and leadership and capacity building – to support the vision of a future in which every child thrives.

Reporting to the President & CEO as a senior member of the Executive Council with management responsibility for the Directors leading WKKF’s place-based work, the Vice President for Place-Based Programs leads, designs and implements strategic programming efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families in the foundation’s priority places. S/he/they will manage and model organizational vision, strategy, values, purpose, and culture, serving as coach and people developer, modeling agile leadership practices, and demonstrating WKKF’s commitment to racial equity, community engagement, and leadership. The Vice President will build strong and authentic relationships across the foundation and with national, state, and community leaders to support two-way learning that both helps to align and inform place-based philanthropic strategy to WKKF’s end goals and also elevates learning and voice from communities to the ongoing development of WKKF’s national portfolio and organizational journey. S/he/they will identify shared strategies and themes across the place-based work to advance effective policy change and align leaders across sectors to sustain the work of the foundation’s place-based teams.

The ideal candidate will be a distinguished and exceptional people leader with relevant field experience and a clear understanding and vision for how philanthropic resources can support effective systems, build capacity, and mobilize strength in communities. S/he/they will be an influencer, a collaborator, and a coach who is able to reach across lines of difference and seize upon opportunities for strengthening relationships, systems, and programs in support of the work. A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required, with a master’s degree preferred.

How To Apply

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is being assisted in this search by Katherine Jacobs, Carolyn Ho, Cara Pearsall, and Julian Jackson of the national talent strategy firm, NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s candidate portal.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Sign up