Philanthropy Northwest (PNW) is a philanthropic network for collective action in the Pacific Northwest. Covering a six-state region, PNW’s expansive network is organized around a set of core values and collective commitment to bring innovative practices in philanthropy to the work of supporting healthy and vibrant communities across the region. With 148 organizational members, a talented staff, strong programs, and a nationally recognized consulting practice, PNW is in an exciting phase of growth and organizational transformation.   Philanthropy Northwest recently welcomed Jill Nishi as CEO to lead this exciting period of transformation.

As the organization aligns internal structures, policies, and practices with its core values, it now seeks a Vice President of People, Operations & Finance who will play a key role in building an inclusive and values-based culture and strengthening PNW’s organizational capacity and financial systems in partnership with the CEO and senior leadership.

The Vice President will bring strategic leadership to fostering values aligned approaches to people and culture management across the organization, the operational integration and transformation of The Giving Practice (TGP), and the effective stewardship of the organization’s financial health. The Vice President will be responsible for direct supervision of seven staff and contractors initially, as well as functional oversight of the business operations of TGP.  

The new Vice President will be a values-centered leader with a unique blend of people management, operations, and finance expertise that can serve the full enterprise. They will be a creative problem solver and effective change manager with a strategic and deft approach to strengthening and aligning systems and structures to ensure effective fulfillment of PNW’s mission and goals. This is a unique opportunity for a mission driven professional who seeks a diverse portfolio of leadership and who brings a sophisticated approach to strengthening organizational effectiveness.  

ABOUT PHILANTHROPY NORTHWEST  

Philanthropy Northwest promotes, facilitates, and drives collaborative action by philanthropic organizations to strengthen communities across the region. Comprised of philanthropic entities across a six-state region – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming – and with members in Hawai‘i – PNW’s 148 paid organizational members represent diverse segments of the philanthropic sector, including community, family, corporate, private and public foundations focused on a wide range of issues with diverse approaches to their grantmaking, collectively representing nearly 50 percent of the region’s philanthropic assets.  

PNW has made the shift from a traditional membership association to growing a vibrant and dynamic network that strives for racial equity and accountable community impact. PNW supports and offers core programs to its members to Strengthen Philanthropy, Center Race Equity, and advance Policy & Advocacy, in addition to consulting services through The Giving Practice. Since 2000, TGP’s work has expanded from a consulting service for PNW members to a clientele base representative of philanthropic organizations from across the country. The PNW and TGP teams collaborate on programming and support to members and partner on field-facing thought leadership.

This unique partnership distinguishes PNW among its philanthropy-serving organization (PSO) peers, providing nationally recognized consultants with regional connections that are values aligned and embedded in PNW’s organizational structure. Philanthropy Northwest has a staff of 24 in addition to 11 TGP consultants, with an overall annual budget of approximately $7.5 million.  

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT  

The Vice President of People, Operations & Finance will work in close partnership with the CEO, Chief of Staff, two other Vice Presidents, TGP leadership, and two cross-functional Directors to form the management team. The VP will be responsible for advancing organizational and operational excellence, developing and refining effective and values-aligned systems and policies, and leading the sound financial management of the full enterprise.

Specifically, the next Vice President will:  

Contribute to Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a strategy and thought partner to the CEO and other management team members in the ongoing improvement of organizational and financial systems, structures, policies, and talent development to enable the highest level of operational and programmatic quality and effectiveness.
• Support the next evolution of partnership between PNW and TGP that encompasses better integration of financial, organizational, and people management aspects under the emerging strategic and programmatic framework set forth by the CEO and Board.

  Steward a Values-Centered Culture through Effective People Management

• Build a positive, cohesive, and collaborative culture through continuous learning and by actively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of PNW’s work.
• Ensure integration of equity and anti-racism practices in all aspects of internal operations, including but not limited to pay equity, performance management, and people & team development.
• Supervise the work of the Senior Manager of People to ensure the strong and effective execution of day-to-day HR and People functions. Work in partnership with the Senior Manager to develop programs and practices to support best-in-class organization-wide standards and policies and an asset-based approach to performance management and talent development.
• Model the skills, sensitivity, and coaching capacity necessary to tap into the power that each member of the team brings to the mission.

Provide Strategic Leadership of Enterprise Wide Financial, Business, and Operations Planning

• Lead all aspects of financial oversight including planning, budgeting, accounting, auditing, and compliance across the enterprise, in partnership with the Director of Finance, Controller, and a part-time bookkeeper. Serve as the primary point of contact for the Board Treasurer and Finance committee.
• Strive for the continuous improvement of financial systems and tools for generating real-time forecasts and analytics to support sound business decisions. Ensure robust reviews of program and contract budgets and explore innovations in PNW and TGP’s revenue generation strategies.
• Serve as the strategic lead for the integration of PNW & TGP’s financial processes and systems to enable a clearer enterprise-wide view and management of financials. In partnership with TGP leadership, oversee the TGP business development pipeline, and all business-related functions (scoping of work, invoicing, and consultant payments).
• Set operational policies and processes that align with organizational values, reflect best practices, and guide consistent practices spanning vendor management, talent development, and other organizational functions.
• Ensure that operational infrastructure supports effective cross-departmental collaboration and that efficient systems, processes, practices, and IT infrastructure are in place to accomplish PNW’s mission across its diverse network and geographic region.

OUR NEXT VICE PRESIDENT  

Philanthropy Northwest welcomes a diversity of candidates from a broad range of sectors and backgrounds. The ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

• A minimum of 12 years of demonstrated leadership and career growth in operations, finance, and people development at a similarly complex and mission-focused organization. Commitment to social change through the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
• Strong management capabilities necessary to build a cohesive team of people, finance, and operations professionals paired with the demonstrated commitment to racial equity in past professional, community, or personal roles.
• Demonstrated record of delivering quality services, organizational improvements, and excellence in strategic, organizational, and budget management along with outstanding stewardship of financial and human resources.
• Ability to look across systems, policies, and structures to analyze gaps or misalignment and develop a structured plan for adaptive change in partnership with key leaders across the organization.
• An adaptive leader comfortable with periods of transition who has the ability to shift direction and approach as context changes with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Familiarity with contract development and revenue management in the consulting context and ability to bring alignment, equity, and shared purpose across a diversity of employment structures.
• Highly developed coaching and engagement skills; comfort managing diverse group dynamics and leading toward common desired outcomes.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, synthesize, and analyze information, compose documents, and present data in a clear and concise manner to appropriate personnel, including management, program staff, and Board of Directors.

• Alignment with PNW’s values and a core commitment to DEI and anti-racist management practices. Familiarity with the nonprofit and consulting sectors in the region is highly desirable but not required.

The salary for this position is $160,000 - 185,000, depending on experience and geographic location and includes a comprehensive benefits package. The majority of staff work in a hybrid arrangement out of the Seattle office, but due to the large geographic area that PNW serves, staff can opt to live anywhere in the six-state region. The new VP should expect to be in the office periodically for management and team meetings and appropriate oversight of finance and HR functions.  

TO APPLY   More information about Philanthropy Northwest may be found at: philanthropynw.org   This search is being led by Carolyn Ho and Danielle Higa of NPAG. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.  

Philanthropy Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create an inclusive and equitable workplace and encourage people from underrepresented communities to apply. We value and celebrate our employees’ differences in age, ability, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, language, national origin, political affiliation, socio-economic status, and veteran status. Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation.