For inquiries, letters of introduction, and submissions, please email presidentsearch@carnegie.org.
Position Description
The Organization
Located in New York City, Carnegie Corporation of New York (“the Corporation”) is a grantmaking organization established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 “to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.” It is one of the oldest, largest, and most influential American foundations, with an endowment currently valued in excess of $4.5 billion. Employing 80 full-time staff members, the Corporation grants more than $155 million each year, primarily in three program areas: democracy, education, and international peace.
Context
Vartan Gregorian led the Corporation for 24 years until his unexpected death on April 15, 2021. The leadership transition comes at a time of vast and rapid change in our country and around the world. The new president will play a critical role in leading the development of Carnegie Corporation of New York’s long-term strategic plan and assume responsibility for implementing it.
Position Summary
The Corporation seeks a visionary leader who, in these challenging times, will build on Andrew Carnegie’s commitment to the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding, bringing exceptional creativity, expertise, insight, and experience to inspire and guide the foundation in its next chapter. Internally, the president reports to the board of trustees and is responsible for managing and leading all program areas and organization functions. Externally, the president communicates the foundation’s mission with clarity to leaders in philanthropy, education, and government, as well as to nongovernmental organizations and international communities. The president provides strategic direction by:
- Driving an agenda that enables the organization to maximize the strengths of its history, its mission, and its impact
- Addressing emerging and new policy challenges
- Ensuring a culture committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as to long-view thinking, learning, collaboration, and measurable impact
Key Qualifications
- Strategic thinker with sound judgment who brings a deep knowledge of the foundation sector as well as of the Corporation’s key program areas
- Effective communicator with a strong public/global presence
- Inspiring motivator, relationship-builder, and leader of people
- Proven success as the head of a nonprofit organization
- Commitment to the position full-time and to being based in the Corporation’s New York City office
Personal Attributes
- Possesses the highest level of integrity
- Brings positive energy to every task
- Is flexible, modest, and empathetic
- Has a sense of humor
- Is a lifelong learner
- Has a proven track record of building strong relationships with staff and colleagues
- Is passionate about and fully committed to the Corporation’s mission
Interested Candidates
For inquiries, letters of introduction, and submissions, please email presidentsearch@carnegie.org. The deadline for submitting a cover letter and resume is August 31, 2021. The Corporation’s board of trustees launched this search and is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of candidates. The foundation will not be accepting recruitment agency inquiries and is not responsible for any agency fees.
Carnegie Corporation of New York is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to diversifying its workforce and to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity (“EEOC”) laws. Carnegie Corporation of New York strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual’s race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, height and weight, disability, and any other characteristic protected by law. The Corporation abides by all applicable rules and regulations in its recruiting and employment practices, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.