Director, Grants & Strategic Initiatives

Jewish continuity is strengthened when individuals are economically secure, Jewish learning is compelling and accessible, institutions are trusted, and Jewish ideas and culture are confidently expressed in public life.

TriEdge is establishing a new philanthropic foundation to strengthen the social, economic, and cultural foundations of Jewish life. Rooted in Torah values, our work will help individuals and families live with dignity, strengthen communal institutions, and expand opportunities for Jewish learning, participation, and expression.

The Foundation will combine grantmaking with the development and launch of new initiatives. We will support effective organizations, build partnerships to address unmet needs, and invest in infrastructure that creates lasting benefits across communities. Through dedicated projects and partnerships, we will also amplify exceptional Jewish thinkers, educators, and creative voices - enriching Jewish discourse and strengthening Jewish pride and confidence in public life.

The Role

Help establish a new Foundation and turn ambitious ideas for Jewish life into working programs and lasting institutions, systems and social infrastructure.

As Director, Grants & Strategic Initiatives

, you will work directly with the Foundation co-founder (who is leading the institution’s formation) to advance new projects, manage grants and grantee relationships, and build the processes that support thoughtful philanthropic decisions. You will join at the founding stage, with the opportunity to shape how ideas are evaluated, partnerships are developed, and projects are launched.

The emerging incubation pipeline includes preliminary concepts such as:

• Economic opportunity initiatives connecting financial education, skills development, and employment.
• Shared infrastructure that strengthens Jewish schools and communal organizations.
• Partnerships that bring exceptional Jewish thinkers, educators, musicians, and other creative voices to wider audiences.

This role combines intellectual engagement with direct responsibility for getting things done. You will have substantial ownership of projects, access to founding leadership, and the opportunity to see your work take shape in communities and institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Jewish Incubations and Amplification Project Management
• Take day-to-day ownership of moving selected initiatives from early concept through development, pilot, and launch.
• Work with the Foundation co-founder to define each initiative’s intended impact, scope, practical feasibility, and path to implementation.
• research existing efforts, consult potential beneficiaries and partners, and identify where the Foundation can add value.
• Develop and manage project plans with clear budgets, milestones, responsibilities, dependencies, and decision points.
• Coordinate the launch and execution of collaborations with nonprofit organizations, community leaders, subject matter experts, and service providers.
• Track progress, resolve day-to-day obstacles, and bring material risks and decisions to the Foundation co-founder who is leading the institution’s formation.
• Manage Grants and Grantee Relationships
• Help to manage an organized, responsive grantmaking process and develop a substantive understanding of the organizations we support and the impact we achieve.
• Manage grant workflows from initial inquiry and due diligence through recommendations, award coordination, monitoring, and renewal.
• Review proposals, budgets, organizational capacity, and intended outcomes; prepare clear recommendations for foundation co-founders.
• Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for a portfolio of grantees, maintaining trusted relationships and clear communication about expectations, challenges, and next steps.”
• Conduct meetings and select site visits to understand progress, challenges, and opportunities for additional support or collaboration.
• Track commitments, payment schedules, grant conditions, and reporting deadlines in coordination with finance colleagues.
• Draw insights across the portfolio to inform future grants and incubation opportunities.
• Handle sensitive information and community relief matters with discretion and respect for recipients’ dignity.
• Contribute to Governance and Reporting Design / Implementation
• Help build the operating discipline of a new Foundation, with processes that support good judgment, accountability, and timely action.
• Work with the Foundation co-founder and colleagues to implement practical procedures for grant review, approvals, documentation, and oversight.
• Develop portfolio trackers, project dashboards, and leadership briefing materials.
• Maintain clear records of decisions, commitments, responsibilities, and follow-up actions.
• Establish reporting expectations suited to the size and maturity of each grant or initiative.
• Prepare regular updates on spending, project milestones, results, risks, and decisions requiring leadership attention.
• Support periodic portfolio reviews and translate lessons into improvements in the Foundation’s work.
• Prepare decision materials and briefings for Foundation leadership and advisors.
• Who You Are
• We are seeking a highly entrepreneurial, intellectually curious, and execution-oriented professional who is excited by the opportunity to build something new.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, program development, consulting, or a related field, including substantial responsibility for independently managing complex projects.
• A record of execution: you have taken an idea through implementation, coordinated multiple stakeholders, and delivered results with limited day-to-day oversight.
• Analytical and financial judgment: you can assess a proposal and budget, identify material risks, and make a reasoned recommendation.
• Strong relationship skills: you can earn trust, navigate differing priorities, and maintain momentum across organizational boundaries.
• Excellent communication: you write clearly, ask useful questions, and turn complex discussions into concrete decisions and next steps.
• Knowledge of Jewish life: you understand the Jewish communal landscape and care deeply about its future.
• Comfort building something new: you can work through ambiguity, establish structure, and move between substantive analysis and detailed follow through.
• Discretion and sound judgment: you handle sensitive relationships carefully and know when to act independently and when to consult.

What You Will Help Build

In your first year, you will help move a focused group of incubation projects toward pilot or launch, establish a reliable grant management process, and give leadership a clear view of the Foundation’s commitments and progress. Your work will help promising ideas become tangible opportunities for Jewish individuals, families, and institutions-and help a new Foundation establish a thoughtful, effective way of working.

Location

TriEdge is an in-person team with offices in Hudson Yards, New York. This role is expected to be in office Monday - Thursday, working remotely on Fridays.

Please note:

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.