VP Strategy and Transformation

Who We Are:

Our vision is to grant the wish of every eligible child. Through our mission, we are uniting communities to grant life-changing wishes. As the world’s largest wish-granting organization, we strive to create a sense of community and an environment where we warmly embrace our wish families, volunteers, and colleagues.

Joining Make-A-Wish means becoming part of a mission that believes in the power of a wish.

Location:

Remote positions are open to applicants based anywhere in the continental U.S. Hybrid positions are open to applicants based in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We do not sponsor employment visas or other immigration processes to attain or maintain employment eligibility.

Job Summary:

The Vice President of Strategy and transformation (VP) leads the day-to-day execution of the Make-A- Wish foundation’s strategic direction and the development of innovative strategies to measurably advance the mission of the organization to grant life-changing wishes to eligible. A servant leader who inspires and motivates people around a complex set of challenges, the VP builds organizational and community capacity to achieve breakthrough results. The VP is a strategic thought partner to the Senior Leadership Team, CEO and board, shepherding game changing investments that drive positive outcomes for our community. This newly created position reports directly to the CEO and provides an opportunity for a proven leader to create lasting impact.

Areas of Responsibility:

Key areas of responsibility

The incumbent is responsible for formalizing the organization’s strategic-planning processes, and leading the development of the strategy, translating it for people across functions and business units, and drive organizational change forging new working relationships and synergies across the organization, and establishing greater transparency and accountability for those people carrying out the organization’s strategy. This includes the delivery of innovative strategies and the integration of strategy, innovation/transformation and organizational culture, aligning the organization’s mission, goals, and budget, to develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve successful strategic results.

Strategy and Execution Leadership

• Use a systems thinking approach to lead development of action and resource allocation plans to advance health equity and social determinants of health

• Develop regional, state and national partnerships that leverage public and private resources to deepen and accelerate impact

• Strengthen data, evaluation and accountability systems to build a culture of results-based leadership

• Lead day-to-day development and execution of the Foundation’s strategic direction, ensuring evidence, data and community voice drive design and implementation

• Develop and inspire a diverse program team, maximizing individual and cross-organizational talents in support of our mission while maintaining focus on strategy

• Lead creation of the annual operational plan and support budget planning, coach staff and teams toward successful outcomes

• Foster teamwork, empowerment, innovation and accountability with the Strategy and Innovation team and across National Office functions and Chapters

• Leverage data and perspectives across stakeholders in the development and implementation of our CommUNITY and Belonging strategy and related initiatives/outcomes

• Foster the growth of and strengthen the application of leadership change management

• Activate cross-enterprise partnerships, engaging Wish children and families, National and Chapter Boards, Donors, Partners and employees in collective actions that deliver growth in Wish and Revenue growth, enhance Capabilities and Inspire our employees

• Ensure that the organization’s strategies effectively support and leverage the federated model

Communications

• Leading internal communications to promote strategies and strategic direction while building understanding and commitment to the strategies across stakeholders and the enterprise

• Building executive communication strategies across forums and communication resources/tools

• Lead the Communications team to deliver communication and build understanding across functions and geographies – including Chapter and National Office

• Leverage communications to build stakeholder commitment

Innovation & Transformation

• Lead day-to-day development and execution of the Make-A-Wish strategic direction, ensuring evidence, data and community voice drive design and implementation

• Maintain an external focus and an innovative mindset to ensure we understand and anticipate trends in innovation

• Generate new ideas and approaches by developing a strong understanding of why and how

• Step outside of comfort zone and traditional ways of thinking to effectively challenge the status quo and build new paths and partnership to potentially successes

• Generate strategic solutions and directly support our foundation imperatives while leverage and incorporating stakeholder input/perspective and the tenants of an organization grounded in community values and belonging

• Regularly analyze industry competitors and peers to be familiar with industry and organization knowledge to identify trends, issues, and opportunities in the marketplace.

Qualifications:

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in business administration, Industrial Engineering, health, non-profit or public administration preferred

• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in for-profit, non-profit or government agency, preferably in the areas of health, human services, education, economic empowerment or community development

• Experience working/influencing in diverse communities

• 2+ years of process improvement, change management, and/or project management experience

• 2+ years of leadership and people management experience required.

• Hands-on strategic thinker, planner, problem solver – a “doer” with proven experience driving systems change

• Demonstrated track record of launching a new organization, new division, new product or new service and achieving significant measurable outcomes

• Knowledge of funding mechanisms and experience forging public, private and non-profit partnerships

• Broad experience with the full range of business processes – analytics, strategic planning, financial management, project management, talent development, and technology systems

• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and meet deadlines

• Ability to build positive partnerships and communicate at all levels of an organization

• Ability to lead projects and work independently with minimal supervision and as a member of various teams

• Capacity to identify and understand business needs and incorporate into technical or programmatic solutions

Attributes

• Track record of leveraging relationships and maximizing resources across an enterprise of board members, executives, and senior leaders

• Demonstrated success influencing positive, measurable outcomes through sound people, fiscal, and resource management

• Analytical mindset and learning agility to quickly synthesize complex data sets, reports, and situational context to drive action and results

• A natural partner who can inspire and motivate others to join you in being courageous and bold

• Exceptional interpersonal, public relations, written and presentation skills

• Adaptability quickly to setbacks and circumstances effectively navigating setbacks and obstacles

• Demonstrates strong vision for future and uses experience, data, and partnerships to build commitment to the vision

• Strong relationship builder with the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen collaboration

• An adept systems thinker, able to achieve quick wins while keeping the end game in mind

• A hands-on team player who takes pride in team accomplishments and is flexible to fill any gaps needed to achieve goals

• Visible passion for breaking new ground to lead social change

Working Environment:

• Ability to thrive in a remote environment

• Some travel may be required

• May occasionally require work outside of the traditional Monday through Friday work week. This includes weekends and early evening weeknights

This Role's Hiring Range
$236,000—$260,000 USD

What We Offer:

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package, effective day 1: Medical, Vision*, Dental*, Wellness

• Competitive compensation with annual incentive potential 

• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account Options 

• Health Reimbursement Account fully funded by Make-A-Wish America

• Short Term Disability*, Long Term Disability* and Life Insurance

• Additional Insurance Plans: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance through Figo

• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with 5% match after one year of service

• Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 

• The organization will send a laptop, 24” monitor, and a docking station/adaptor to new hires

Time Off

• Up to 15 PTO days

• 10 Sick Days

• 11 Paid Holidays

• 2 Volunteer Days after one year of service

• 2 Personal Days accrued annually

• Parental Leave 

Also...

• Employee Awards and Recognition Programs 

• Individual and Leadership Development  

• Discounts and special offers for theme parks, events, hotels, concerts, and movie tickets

*Monthly premiums paid for the employee for vision, dental, and short/long term disability.