Manager, Innovation presso undefined

Position Overview

The Rockefeller Foundation seeks a Manager, Innovation to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives within its Strategy and Partnerships portfolio. Reporting to the Vice President, Innovation, this role independently designs and manages complex AI projects from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s AI strategy and climate agenda. The Manager will collaborate across philanthropy, private sector, academia, and non-profit partners, while advising leadership on emerging AI trends, risks, and opportunities.

Pay Range: $157,300 - $181,700. This represents the present low and high ends of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience.

Work Schedule: This role is on a hybrid work schedule, and required to be in the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Grant and Contract Administration

• Lead end-to-end development of AI-related projects, including scoping, funding, execution, and closeout. Execute funding concepts to advance the use of data science methods for social good with a special focus on RF’s climate agenda, and responsible and ethical deployment of data and technology tools.
• Guide proposals through internal review and approval, including complicated funding instruments, such as Program Related Investments (PRIs), Expenditure Responsibility (ER) grants, and recoverable grants, managing due diligence and budget development in collaboration with Legal, Finance, and Grants Management.
• Design, scope, and shape portfolios in alignment with Innovation goals around the AI strategy and support the climate agenda with input from senior leadership, external co-funders, and technical experts.
• Build and maintain strong partner relationships with grantees and contractors, identify challenges and collaboratively develop solutions to enable impact, and identify opportunities for co-funding and scaling.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on grant and contract performance to drive learning and accountability.
• Ensure alignment with broader Innovation team priorities.

Technical Research

• Stay abreast of AI advancements through literature review, technical communities, and industry engagement.
• Integrate emerging insights into funding strategies and advise leadership on opportunities and risks.
• Evaluate risks and challenges associated with AI implementation, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with ethical standards. 

Technical Advising

• Plan and implement technical advising projects across the Innovation Team and partner teams, collecting and evaluating technical information, and providing actionable recommendations on complex technical and policy trade-offs, enabling informed decision-making.
• Develop and manage collaborative grants and contracts with cross-program and external partners, particularly supporting the Foundation’s climate strategy.
• Foster collaboration with thought leaders and institutions to stay at the forefront of AI advancements and identify potential opportunities. 

Communication

• Translate complex AI methods and findings into clear, compelling insights for diverse audiences.
• Lead efforts to connect funded partners and support storytelling that highlights impact, and connect grantees with a shared mission.
• Publish blogs, briefs, and other publications to share Innovation team perspectives and results, fine-tuned to intended internal and external audiences.
• Design and execute convenings, including AI-focused events at Bellagio and the New York convening space.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Generally expected to have at least 7 years of relevant experience working in AI, with exposure to philanthropy, private sector, academia, or non-profits.
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence programming and applications to engage experts in the field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including effective public speaking.
• Experience developing, leading, and implementing a portfolio of projects with defined objectives, deliverables, monitoring, and evaluation of results.
• Demonstrated experience in evaluating complex data/technology projects and conducting due diligence.
• Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree in economics, computer science, data science, or related quantitative field preferred. 

Qualifications and Competencies

• Data Oriented: Consistently achieves results by approaching work informed by data.
• Directs Work: Provides direction, delegates, and removes obstacles to get work done.
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Strategic Learning: Actively learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Values Differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.

The Rockefeller Foundation offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes health insurance programs, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment, a generous 401K, parental leave, and various forms of paid time off, all to help our employees feel energized, cared for, and engaged.

As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status. 

The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.