Washington, DC

President & Chief Executive Officer, Grantmakers In Health (GIH)

The Organization

For more than 35 years, GIH has supported health funders of all sizes and interests to learn, connect, and grow through education, networking, and leadership. Historically, GIH has defined its Funding Partners as informed, connected philanthropic organizations of any size whose primary activity is health-related grantmaking. GIH currently provides a variety of programs and services including meetings, webinars and publications to a diverse constituency of approximately 240 foundations and corporate giving programs.

Position

President & Chief Executive Officer

Organization

Grantmakers In Health (GIH)

Location

Washington, DC

Reporting Relationship

Board of Directors

Website

http://www.gih.org/

THE OPPORTUNITY

Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is the preeminent nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to helping foundations and corporate giving programs improve the health of all people. Rooted in the vision of better health through better philanthropy, and championing a broad, holistic definition of health, GIH’s mission is to foster communication and collaboration among grantmakers, foundations, and other philanthropic entities, and to help strengthen the community’s knowledge, skills, and effectiveness.

For more than 35 years, GIH has supported health funders of all sizes and interests to learn, connect, and grow through education, networking, and leadership. Historically, GIH has defined its Funding Partners as informed, connected philanthropic organizations of any size whose primary activity is health-related grantmaking. GIH currently provides a variety of programs and services including meetings, webinars and publications to a diverse constituency of approximately 240 foundations and corporate giving programs.

GIH, like other philanthropy support organizations (PSOs), occupies a unique space in the foundation world; moving forward, GIH has the opportunity to become an even stronger leader in the health philanthropy space by informing and supporting high impact efforts, aligning national, regional and local funders, and promoting leadership across the sector, to serve as an innovator in the health policy arena, and to create larger impact in advancing health equity. 

In light of the recent and continuing evolution in the field, including the shifting dynamic of health and emerging models of philanthropy, there is an opportunity for GIH to challenge the current status quo, to strategically reassess the role of GIH in this changing environment, and to evolve its model to serve health funders in new and different ways.  

The next CEO will have the great opportunity to both lead and serve the field of health philanthropy. In partnership with and under the guidance of the board, this individual will provide inspirational and visionary leadership in driving the strategic direction for GIH, as well as create a forward-thinking culture to tackle key issues in the field.  

This is an incredible role for a passionate and equity-minded executive to build on GIH’s rich legacy, collaborate closely with GIH’s Funding Partners to drive new thought leadership in the health grantmaking arena, and help build an even stronger field of impactful philanthropy nationwide.

POSITION SUMMARY

The President & CEO (CEO) will provide dynamic, visionary, and entrepreneurial leadership for Grantmakers In Health. In partnership with the board, and in service to the Funding Partners, the CEO will drive the strategic direction and agenda for the organization, as well as lead and advance effectiveness and impact in the health philanthropy field. The CEO is responsible for directing all components of the organization, leading the staff, and ensuring a strong culture of respect, teamwork, innovation, and staff empowerment. The CEO ensures sound finances and operations, quality standards and effective governance by the board.

With a genuine commitment to diversity and equity, this individual will be charged with forging and strengthening relationships within and outside health philanthropy, as well as, cultivating new ventures for the organization that best support the field. S/he will focus on integrating planning, communications, and development strategies to sustain and build the organization, raising the profile of GIH and increasing the level of impact.

Under guidance of and in partnership with the board, the CEO will evolve the organization’s approach and culture in order to better serve funders, promote impact, advance health equity, and address a wide set of issues facing the health philanthropy field in an ever-evolving climate. The next leader will embody and apply core values of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as embrace and align diverse perspectives across multi-stakeholders and multi-issues. S/he will provide thought leadership to engage and align both funders and the field, adeptly navigate the political climate, and leverage opportunities for health advancement within, across, and outside of the health philanthropy landscape to achieve GIH’s mission.

Specifically, the CEO must:

  • Be capable of leading GIH through a strategic planning process during her/his first few years at the helm, in partnership with the board, and developing a vision to ensure GIH’s continued success and evolution in a rapidly changing environment in both health and philanthropy.
  • Build the organization and the collective capacity of health funders to contribute to improvements in all people’s health.
  • Be astute in conceiving, staffing, and funding innovative projects to educate, respond to, and catalyze action by health funders.
  • Skillfully identify emerging health issues and convincingly convey their importance to grantmakers, the policy community, and key stakeholders.
  • Be adept in building working relationships among grantmakers, with policy makers, and with leaders in other fields to collectively further the work of health philanthropy.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

The CEO must have demonstrated leadership experience in broad health-related settings, and expertise in influencing policy, diverse stakeholders, and institutional change through thought leadership, political sophistication, persuasive communication and collaborative diversity.

S/he will have a keen understanding of the changing environment within both the health and the philanthropy landscape and how to address a wide set of issues within, outside of, and across the field. S/he will bring a strong foundation of vision, leadership, organizational strategy, and culture management to evaluate the current state of GIH, adapt its approach in response to external and emerging needs, and optimize its role and impact for the future.

Ideal qualifications will include:

  • Broad knowledge of health and health policy; understanding of health philanthropy operations and how foundations seek to improve health in the communities they serve.
  • Understanding of social determinants of health, and an ability to see issues through a racial and social justice lens, as well as address inequalities through systemic change.
  • Strategic mind to set a clear course for the organization; innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to drive organizational growth and optimization and to challenge the status quo.
  • Ability to build partnerships with foundation leaders and additional health philanthropy constituents, and to inspire action by health funders and other key players in the field.
  • Ability to publicly convey the work of GIH and the field (both in person and in published articles) on national issues in health, policy, and philanthropy and to use strategic communications strategies to promote a strong external presence for the organization.
  • Ability to embrace diverse perspectives, align multi-stakeholders, and drive cohesion and unity around the universal mission to advance health.
  • Ability to identify appropriate opportunities to leverage current events to prioritize important health issues via public policy advocacy in support of advancing equity.
  • Strong orientation towards service to the field; a charitable passion for health equity demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Keen intellect and an active curiosity; a lifetime learner.

Leadership

  • Robust understanding of and respect for the board’s role in setting strategic direction, guiding policy, governance, and managing financial and fiduciary responsibilities.
  • In partnership with and under the board’s guidance, ability to provide leadership and vision in assessing emerging needs within a changing external landscape, identifying current organizational gaps, and operationalizing a strategic direction for the future.
  • Ability to help shape, effectively communicate, and implement a cohesive mission and strategic vision, as well as the organization’s positioning in the field.
  • Demonstrated business acumen, including familiarity with nonprofit budgeting and financial reports, and working with a board to manage fiscal and fiduciary accountability.
  • Understanding of nonprofit governance; ability to guide, engage and work in partnership with a board of directors, especially around strategic planning and oversight.
  • Ability to create and maintain high standards of performance, still accountability, and foster innovation, continuous learning and quality improvement.
  • Thorough grasp of effective organizational development, program design, staffing structure, operational model and culture change.

Management

  • Ability to hire, lead, supervise, and inspire qualified staff, as well as develop, maintain, and enhance an organizational infrastructure and systems to build and support growth.
  • Prudent stewardship of the organization’s financial resources.
  • Successful experience in fundraising, revenue generation, and securing resources for general operating and programmatic support; Skilled in balancing ongoing commitments and proactively seizing unanticipated opportunities that arise.
  • Proven track record of success in strategic planning, product and program development, and project implementation; ability to make and execute difficult decisions that may be necessary for GIH’s ongoing success and growth.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and political savviness, with a track record of participating in and fostering collaboration; ability to instill a culture of autonomy and empowerment.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

EDUCATION

An undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university is required. An advanced degree and/or other pertinent experience is preferred.

COMPENSATION

A competitive industry salary and benefits package will be offered.

If you have any questions regarding the position please contact the Korn Ferry team at: GIH@KornFerry.com.

 

How To Apply

To complete your application, please submit any applicant materials supporting your candidacy, including current resume and cover letter attachments, online at:

https://kfopportunities.loop.jobs/job/Korn-Ferry-Executive-Search-Washington-DC/78741655

Please note that any applications with incomplete documents will not be considered. 

KORN FERRY CONTACTS

Divina Gamble

Senior Client Partner & Practice Leader

Global Nonprofit, Philanthropy & Social Enterprise Practice

1700 K Street, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20006

Telephone: (202) 955-0901

Email: divina.gamble@kornferry.com

Cristina Fisher

Senior Associate

Global Nonprofit, Philanthropy & Social Enterprise Practice

1700 K Street, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20006

Telephone: (202) 955-0910

Email: cristina.fisher@kornferry.com

Traci Robinson

Project Coordinator

Global Nonprofit, Philanthropy & Social Enterprise Practice

1700 K Street, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20006

202-955-0902

Email: traci.robinson@kornferry.com

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