Director of Programs

Director of Programs

Location: Oakland, CA

Status: Full-time

Reports to: Senior Director of Fundraising & Operations

About the Oakland Fund for Public Innovation

The Oakland Fund mobilizes public-private partnerships to design, launch, and scale solutions that help Oakland thrive. We work across housing, neighborhood vitality, economic opportunity, civic innovation, and other high-impact issue areas to help government and community move ideas into action.

The Oakland Fund is increasingly called upon not just to convene partners or move funds, but to originate initiatives, shape strategy, design programs, and implement with excellence. We are looking for a leader who can help translate emerging opportunities into concrete programmatic initiatives that create real value for Oakland and for the communities we serve.

We are a small, high-performing team that values ownership, curiosity, and continuous learning. Our work is fast-moving and often ambiguous, and we rely on individuals who are collaborative, solutions-oriented, and able to translate ambiguity into clear action.

We are actively building a culture that prioritizes learning, iteration, and accountability—where team members are expected to take initiative, test ideas, learn from both successes and setbacks, and continuously improve how we work. Strong communication, consistent follow-through, and a focus on outcomes are essential. Given the nature of our work, strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, including the ability to produce clear, high-quality briefs, memos, and partner-facing materials that move work forward.

We operate in a hybrid environment, with an expectation that team members are based in or near Oakland and able to be in person regularly for meetings, site visits, and partner engagement. Given the nature of our work, this role requires strong local presence and deep engagement with the communities we serve.

Position Summary

The Director of Programs is responsible for creating, shaping, and advancing high-impact programmatic initiatives across The Oakland Fund’s portfolio of innovative public-private partnerships.

This person will work closely with executive leadership to identify opportunities, develop program concepts, structure partnerships, and move projects from idea to implementation. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable in strategy and implementation: they can sit with a council office, public agency, philanthropic partner, or community stakeholder, understand the need, and then design and execute a programmatic response that is actionable, fundable, and aligned with The Oakland Fund’s mission—and is accountable for driving those initiatives through delivery to measurable outcomes.

Core Responsibilities

1) Program Origination, Design, and Development (35%)

• Identify and shape new programmatic opportunities aligned with The Oakland Fund’s strategic priorities
• Translate ideas and external opportunities into clear program concepts, scopes, and implementation plans
• Lead early-stage design, including problem definition, target population, model design, implementation pathways, and success metrics
• Conduct research, landscape analyses, and synthesis to inform program strategy
• Produce high-quality concept notes, briefs, and materials to support decision-making and launch
• Ensure the Oakland Fund is creating strategic value

2) Program Execution and Cross-Functional Delivery (25%)

• Lead the launch and delivery of initiatives from planning through implementation
• Build and manage workplans, timelines, and cross-functional coordination across internal and external stakeholders
• Drive accountability for next steps, decisions, and follow-through across program partners
• Troubleshoot roadblocks and proactively solve problems to ensure program success from start to finish
• Establish systems for tracking outputs, outcomes, and lessons learned across projects

3) Strategic Partnerships and Resource Alignment (20%)

• Build and manage relationships with government, community-based organizations, and other key partners to advance program goals
• Lead and build coalitions with multiple community stakeholders centered around clear roles, deliverables, and outcomes
• Represent The Oakland Fund in external meetings with professionalism, clarity, and strong follow-through
• Identify where partnership opportunities can deepen program impact, unlock resources, or accelerate implementation
• Maintain trust-based relationships while ensuring coalition and partnership activity is tied to meaningful outcomes and organizational strategy

4) Development, Impact, and Evaluation (20%)

• Contribute to proposals, grant applications, concept papers, case statements, and donor-facing materials tied to programmatic opportunities
• Help align program design with funder priorities while preserving program integrity and mission alignment
• Support and lead on reporting, updates, and strategic communications related to funded initiatives as needed
• Ensure programs are grounded in data, research, and community-informed insights
• Define success metrics and support evaluation frameworks for all initiatives
• Use data to drive iteration, improvement, and decision-making
• Contribute to impact reporting for funders, board, and external audiences
• Manage and develop program staff as the portfolio grows, including coaching, performance management, and hiring

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a builder. They are energized by turning ideas into action and are motivated by the opportunity to help shape initiatives that can make a real difference in Oakland.

They likely bring:

• 5+ years of relevant experience in program design, strategy, implementation, and/or public sector innovation
• Demonstrated track record of not only designing programs, but managing and delivering them through implementation, including tracking progress, managing stakeholders, and ensuring follow-through on key milestones
• Strong orientation toward impact and measurable outcomes, with the ability to translate goals into clear workplans, track progress, and ensure initiatives are completed at a high level
• Experience using data and feedback to monitor performance, evaluate impact, and refine programs over time
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to move from ambiguity to structure
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to produce clear, compelling strategy and program documents
• Strong project management and delivery skills
• Experience working across sectors, ideally with government, philanthropy, and community-based organizations
• Comfort navigating complex stakeholder environments with diplomacy and sound judgment
• An equity-centered lens and deep commitment to Oakland communities

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Advancing programmatic opportunities from early concept through successful implementation and delivery
• Producing high-quality concept notes, implementation plans, and partner-facing materials that lead to actionable, fundable initiatives
• Ensuring programs are implemented effectively, with clear workplans, timelines, ownership, and follow-through across stakeholders
• Tracking progress against defined goals and milestones, and proactively addressing risks or delays to keep work on track
• Establishing and using systems to monitor outputs, outcomes, and impact, and using those insights to refine and strengthen programs over time
• Building partnerships that directly support program implementation and measurable outcomes
• Increasing internal clarity, rigor, and momentum around initiatives, contributing to a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and high standards
• Consistently operating in alignment with The Oakland Fund’s culture, including taking ownership of work, following through on commitments, communicating clearly and proactively, and actively learning and adapting to improve outcomes in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $120,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience, skills, and alignment with the needs of the organization.

The Oakland Fund offers a competitive benefits package, including 100% employer-covered health, dental, and vision insurance; generous PTO; and access to retirement savings options.

In addition, this role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of city government and community impact—playing a leadership role in shaping innovative, high-impact initiatives in Oakland.

How to Apply

To apply: email a cover letter and resume to careeers@oaklandfund.org with the subject line “Director of Programs Application” Review will begin on Wednesday, April 15th and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The salary range for this role is $120,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience, skills, and alignment with the needs of the organization.

The Oakland Fund offers a competitive benefits package, including 100% employer-covered health, dental, and vision insurance; generous PTO; and access to retirement savings options.

In addition, this role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of city government and community impact—playing a leadership role in shaping innovative, high-impact initiatives in Oakland.