Background: Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Minnesota-based family foundation has assets of approximately $1.8 billion and granted about $98 million in 2009. McKnight concentrates resources to support the arts; children and youth; the environment; the region and communities; neuroscience and crop research; and select efforts in Southeast Asia and East Africa. McKnight subscribes to the Minnesota Council on Foundations' "Principles for Minnesota Grantmakers."

The Environment Program: The goal of the Environment Program is to restore the water quality and resilience of the Mississippi River, and to mitigate global climate change by supporting policies and practices that promote low-carbon prosperity. 

Position Purpose: The Program Director position provides content-specific expertise and manages one of the Foundation's program areas. The Program Director for the Environment Program reports directly to the VP of Programs and works with the VP and other Program Directors to ensure good stewardship of the Foundation's resources. This position oversees grantmaking, convening, and support for networks to further program goals in the environment program.

Specific Responsibilities

• Manage the environment program team in reviewing letters of inquiry and grant proposals and making funding recommendations to the Foundation's board of directors.
• Develop and manage the environment program budget and payout schedules.
• Monitor the progress of grantee organizations and integrate knowledge from grantmaking experience back into program activities.
• Participate in grants administration by composing and processing grant-related documents and correspondence in a timely fashion.
• Represent the Foundation locally, nationally, and internationally on environmental issues.
• Supervise a program officer and a program assistant at The McKnight Foundation office.
• Ensure compliance with grantmaking standards and legal requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage complex programs involving cross-organization collaborations.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively across organizational functions.
• Ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with a variety of people and groups, particularly nonprofits and governmental organizations and policy and research institutions.
• Ability to analyze, question and identify key issues and use data to support conclusions.
• Ability to view issues and challenges from multiple dimensions and apply intellectual energy and creativity.
• Ability to prepare clearly written summaries and analysis.
• Ability to engage others and influence outcomes.
• Skill in bringing a group with diverse views to consensus.
• Knowledge of governance and operations of nonprofit organizations.
• Skill in developing and managing budgets.
• Ability to communicate effectively interpersonally and in group presentations.
• Ability to handle heavy workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in English.

Required Education and Experience

In addition to the above knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements, the ideal candidate for this position will also possess:

• A Master's degree in environment studies or a related field and a minimum of 8 years related full-time professional work experience in nonprofit, foundation, or government fields with five or more years of managerial level experience, or a combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Experience working with a board of directors, preferably a family board.
• Experience dispersing resources to nonprofits through direct grantmaking, regranting, or a similar process.

Personal Attributes needed in this Position

• Honesty, integrity, wisdom, initiative, and motivation.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work is performed in a variety of settings including national travel up to 20% of the time.
• Regular operation of normal office machines (computer, copier, and fax) is required.
• There are some evening and weekend meetings or events required.

Cover letter and resume should be addressed to:

Bernadette Christiansen
VP of HR and Administration
The McKnight Foundation
710 Second Street South, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Resumes may be submitted via email to jharshner@mcknight.org