About Victoria Foundation

Founded in 1924, Victoria Foundation is a private foundation based in Newark, New Jersey, with an endowment of $320 million. For the past 55 years, Victoria Foundation has focused most of its resources on children and families living in Newark, New Jersey, with grants totaling $300 million. The current grantmaking of about $11 million a year has been traditional in nature, with 160 grantees receiving annual grants to support operations and to provide a broad range of programs and services.

The Foundation is emerging from an intense time in its 97-year history. Throughout 2020 and the first half of 2021, trustees and staff engaged in a strategic planning journey to consider how the foundation might generate greater impact with its resources. The key question at the outset of this effort was: How might the foundation address the root causes of generational poverty in Newark? As this essential inquiry was explored, the need to understand the pernicious role of structural racism as a root cause of persistent poverty was fundamental. Government sanctioned racist policies and other forms of institutional racism over the centuries have contributed deeply to the current reality of Newark: a highly segregated, post-industrial city where 36% of children are living in poverty or extreme poverty.

Victoria trustees recently adopted the following mission:

Victoria Foundation partners with Black and Brown residents and other marginalized communities and nonprofit organizations in Newark to champion bold strategies that strengthen community power, foster economic justice, promote youth self-determination, and respond to pressing needs. 

Role Summary

A newly created part-time position reporting to the Co-Executive Officers with a dotted line to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of People & Culture (DPC) will join Victoria to provide the leadership and vision to realize a culture of equity both internally and externally. In collaboration with the leadership team, the DPC will ensure that organizational structures and grantmaking decisions are fully reflective of and inspired by an equity lens and embody the foundation’s new strategic goals. The DPC will guide the development and implementation of an overarching DEI  (diversity, equity and inclusion) vision, equitable HR practices, and a culture of continuous learning.

The DPC’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team and a close advisor and thought partner to the Co-Executive Officers.
• Sets the strategic vision for the Foundation’s DEI efforts in all of the Foundation’s internal operations and external practices and engagements.
• Uses an equity lens to oversee talent recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, teambuilding, and professional development strategies.
• Develops and ensures equitable HR policies and procedures.
• Provides guidance on performance evaluation, supports effective supervision practices, and advises on equitable compensation systems.
• Designs and plans culture building activities, trainings, and retreats to support a strong, cohesive, and caring team of VF employees.
• Develops and executes an equity-centered learning agenda for staff and trustees.

Qualifications And Experience

While no candidate will meet every qualification, ideal candidates will meet the following criteria:

• A demonstrated understanding of intersecting identities that include, but are not limited to, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, race, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status.
• Deep, authentic knowledge with training in racial justice and equity and experience applying racial equity practices to organizational development and programs.
• Knowledge of core areas of human resources and direct experience with talent development, recruiting, onboarding, retention, teambuilding, and professional development.
• Deep experience in conflict literacy and creating safe spaces where one can bring and share their best and authentic selves.
• Proven leadership in planning, implementing, and evaluating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and proven ability to inspire and nurture a climate of inclusiveness.
• Experience as a collaborative leader with the ability to drive simultaneous, complex projects to measurable success.
• Deep passion for and commitment to honest and candid conversations and self-reflection about race, racial justice, privilege, social class and power dynamics, especially in the philanthropic context.
• Exceptional communication and conflict-resolution skills with experience navigating politically charged situations to resolve problems, build consensus, and reconcile competing interests.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including confidence and comfort with communication (oral and written) for a variety of audiences.
• Experience working with organizations in transformation and demonstrated ability to lead and manage major organizational change initiatives with tact, empathy, and alignment with the vision and values of the Foundation.
• Proven expertise and at least five years of leadership experience developing and achieving strategic DEI goals, preferably in a foundation, nonprofit organization, educational institution, governmental entity, or other complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience to support and guide supervisors with performance management and other processes that reflect a deep commitment to racial equity.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred (open to consideration of robust and relevant work experience).

The Ideal Candidate Possesses The Following Characteristics:

• A deep passion for and strong commitment to the mission, vision and values of Victoria Foundation.
• Leadership style that is transparent and collaborative, with a commitment to leading with humility and empathy.
• A creative thinker who encourages others to explore new ideas and perspectives.
• Has an extremely high capacity to manage one’s own emotions and to identify the emotions of others in order to support staff, and to facilitate challenging and courageous conversations about race/racism and other important topics.
• Evidence of sound judgment and the ability to understand nuance.
• Open-minded, curious, strategic, and creative thinker and active listener.
• Strong relationship builder with the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to receive and give critical feedback with compassion, curiosity, and humility.

Compensation

The Director of People & Culture position is a part-time opportunity at 2 ½ days/week. Victoria Foundation anticipates an annual base starting salary in the $52,000 to $65,000 range.  Please note that this position receives pro-rated vacation, sick, and personal time off and professional development, but does not receive health or retirement benefits. While there is some flexibility with working remotely at Victoria Foundation, this position requires on-site attendance the majority of the time.

Victoria Foundation Commitment To Equal Opportunity Employment

We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We employ qualified people without regard to: race; color; religion; sex; national origin; age; ancestry; physical abilities; sexual orientation; pregnancy or breastfeeding; veteran or military status; marital status; civil union or domestic partnership status; arrest record; citizenship; credit history; genetic information; gender identity or expression; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking; or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.

How To Apply

Please visit the Application Website.