Director, Programs

Director, Programs, Tandem Foundation

Tandem Foundation is a newly created philanthropic institution built to help young people — especially those born into low-income households — prepare for and thrive in uplifting careers. With a more than half-billion-dollar endowment, Tandem aims to address gaps in education, training, and employment systems that prevent young people from realizing their potential, even as employers struggle to fill open roles and artificial intelligence reshapes the world of work.

Led by founding CEO Rachel Korberg, Tandem is building its founding team ahead of a public launch in 2027. The Foundation is establishing its strategy, operations, and partnerships from the ground up, guided by its values: Care. Act. Learn.

Tandem seeks a Director, Programs to lead a portfolio of grants, partnerships, and projects that drive impact at scale. Reporting to the Vice President, Programs, the Director will manage approximately $8–15 million in annual funding, identify breakthrough ideas, evaluate investment opportunities, and support grantee partners. Working alongside employers, nonprofits, government agencies, philanthropic partners, and young people, the Director will help design new career pathways and strengthen systems that support economic mobility.

The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with hands-on leadership, strong analytical judgment, and the warmth and credibility to build trusted relationships across sectors. This is an opportunity for an experienced grantmaker, corporate philanthropy leader, or accomplished professional in talent development or technology who is energized by building something new and committed to achieving measurable, systems-level impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Grantmaking and Portfolio Leadership

• Lead a segment of Tandem’s grantmaking portfolio, managing approximately $8–15 million in annual funding across grantees and strategic partners.
• Partner with the Vice President, Programs to develop investment theses, refine funding strategies, identify emerging models, and translate research and trends into clear priorities.
• Conduct rigorous due diligence, prepare evidence-based investment recommendations, and monitor portfolio performance to maximize impact.

Partner Experience and Learning

• Support grantee partners throughout the grant term, with attention to both individual outcomes and systems-level change.
• Shape the processes, touchpoints, and norms that define a strong and effective partnership experience with Tandem.
• Collaborate with the Director of Strategy, Learning, and Impact to establish learning questions, assess outcomes, and apply findings to portfolio strategy.

Cross-Sector Partnerships and Systems Change

• Build trusted relationships with employers, workforce nonprofits, education institutions, state and local governments, philanthropic partners, and young people.
• Convene partners through design sessions, working groups, and learning communities to co-design new pathways and strengthen early career outcomes.
• Identify opportunities to apply emerging technologies, including AI, to improve talent pipelines and reimagine early career experiences.

Experience, Skills, and Qualities

Tandem seeks a mission-driven leader committed to expanding economic mobility and creating meaningful career opportunities for young people, especially those from low-income households.

• At least eight years of relevant experience in philanthropy, corporate philanthropy, human resources, technology, or a related field.
• Track record of making and managing investment decisions as a grantmaker, investor, or business or product leader.
• Understanding of workforce development, education, and early career pathways.
• Strong analytical judgment and ability to evaluate quantitative and qualitative evidence.
• Experience translating strategy into measurable impact.
• Commitment to systems change beyond individual programs.
• Ability to build trusted relationships across nonprofit, business, government, and philanthropic sectors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Ability to incorporate perspectives from young people and partners into decision-making.
• Builder’s mindset, comfort with ambiguity, and willingness to develop new systems and processes.
• Curiosity about how AI is reshaping work and talent pipelines, with hands-on comfort using generative AI and other tools.
• Commitment to Tandem’s mission, values, and collaborative approach to learning.

Compensation

The base salary range for this position is $154,500 – $184,800. Tandem also provides employees with a commuter stipend based on distance from Newark, NJ, to help offset travel costs.

Working Location

This is a hybrid position based in Newark, NJ, requiring in-person office attendance currently every other Monday and two days for quarterly onsites. Additional in-person meetings, events, and an annual staff retreat are expected. The Director should anticipate approximately 30% domestic business travel, with higher travel demands during peak periods.

Application Process

Tandem Foundation has retained the services of Good Insight, a national nonprofit executive search firm headquartered in Washington, DC. Interested applicants should submit a resume and detailed cover letter in PDF format. Direct confidential inquiries to TandemFoundation@good-insight.org. See the full profile and submit application materials at good-insight.org/careers.

For best consideration, submit materials by late November 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tandem Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.

The base salary range for this position is $154,500 – $184,800. Tandem also provides employees with a generous benefits package and a commuter stipend based on distance from Newark, NJ, to help offset travel costs.