About Third Plateau: Third Plateau is a full-service social impact and philanthropy consulting firm that partners with bold visionaries to drive meaningful and sustainable change. Our comprehensive services include strategic planning, philanthropic advising, foundation management, program design, research and evaluation, leadership development, philanthropic back-office support, and network management.
In 2023, Hirsch Philanthropy Partners – one of the first philanthropic advising firms in the U.S. – joined with Third Plateau, uniting two industry-leading teams. Together, we work with the nonprofit, philanthropic, and public sectors to craft enduring strategies that achieve transformative, community-centered impact.
Our work at Third Plateau creates progress toward a world that doesn't yet exist but we know is possible – a brighter, uplifting, and more equitable world for all. We are recognized for influential projects within the fields of education, democracy, health, social justice, the environment, technology, arts and culture, community building, and more.
Position Overview: Third Plateau is seeking a self-directed professional to serve as a Director on our Client Services Team. The Director will lead engagements with a portfolio of nonprofit, philanthropy, and/or private sector clients, responsible for client relationships, project management, and strategic deliverables that drive social change. Top candidates will have a client-service orientation with strong skill sets in relationship management, project and portfolio management, facilitation, and written and verbal communication. The role will report to a Third Plateau Vice President.
Application Deadline: Rolling, first review beginning July 1, 2024
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Remote (CA preferred), with access to our offices in Sacramento, San Francisco and Berkeley. Please note that being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment at Third Plateau, as we are not able to sponsor applicants for work visas at this time.
Benefits: In addition to collaborating with an incredible team of mission-driven social impact professionals, benefits include:
Eligible for discretionary bonus
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement plan with employer matching
Unlimited paid time off
Wellness program
Dedicated professional development budget
Cell phone and home internet reimbursement
Home office stipend
Regular high fives
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Director will be a key member of our Client Services team. They will manage a portfolio of nonprofit, philanthropy, and public sector projects, either as the primary relationship lead or as the internal point person. This will include managing client communications, overseeing strategy, creating grant portfolios, stewarding grants, and executing on project scopes and deliverables, as well as managing internal project teams, timelines and budgets. The Director will ensure on time and high-quality deliverables to their clients.
Potential projects with mission-driven organizations could include:
Facilitating strategic and business planning processes to set or affirm an organization’s vision, mission, and priorities;
Developing culture plans, supporting organizations to develop core values and cultural norms to align teams around shared motivations and operating principles;
Designing and implementing grantmaking “blueprints” for funders, including setting giving strategies and conducting field scans, grantee research, and due diligence;
Designing and implementing programs for funders, including developing and leading public-private partnerships and other original initiatives or capacity-building supports;
Managing and supporting networks, including developing coalition governance structures or working with senior leaders to manage boards and stakeholders;
Designing and facilitating convenings and retreats to engage participants in inclusive discussions and decision-making processes;
Developing and delivering training to organizational leaders, board members, and staff teams on key social sector concepts; and/or
Assessing and advising on effective practices, trends, and service needs within a sector or region.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Client Management (30%)
Serve as the primary relationship lead, developing and growing authentic client relationships and acting as point on client management and communications, including with:
o Nonprofit executive directors and staff; and/or
o Philanthropists - including individuals, families, and foundation boards
Partner with clients to execute a scope of work, overseeing and managing project workflow and proactively and strategically solving problems.
Represent the client in the community and within the firm.
Project Management (25%)
Oversee and manage multiple project scopes, including:
o Develop and execute project work plans (key activities, deliverables, timelines, and role responsibilities); and
o Direct and guide project teams to execute on work plans (delegate tasks, oversee quality).
Oversee and manage ongoing programs, including:
o Build and steward relationships with grantees, peer funders, community leaders, elected officials, and other key care holders; and/or
o Develop and implement original programs at scale.
Navigate evolving project needs and challenges, inspiring and managing teams across complexity.
Design and Facilitation (15%)
Design and facilitate productive and meaningful client meetings, retreats, and other engagements associated with the scope of work.
Facilitate groups of diverse backgrounds towards a decision, action, or other outcome, actively listening, asking relevant follow-up questions that further group learning, navigating tension and the unpredictable, and creating a space for diverse perspectives to be heard.
Client Deliverables (15%)
Ensure all deliverables (memos, strategic plans, etc.) are on-time, high-quality, and poised to help our clients drive social impact.
Research, analyze, synthesize, and organize complex information, and communicate key findings and recommendations in accessible ways, such as by:
o Developing strategy memos across a variety of issue areas; and/or
o Drafting strategic plans, business plans, culture plans, and fundraising plans for nonprofits and social entrepreneurs.
Organizational Stewardship (15%)
Tend to internal administrative items (e.g., emails/slack, timekeeping, expenses, HR).
Participate in internal activities (e.g., full team meetings, peer learning communities, culture building activities, and regular check-ins with your supervisor).
Engage in individual and team wide professional development/learning opportunities.
Supervise staff (if applicable).
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Demonstrated experience working with philanthropists, including navigating complex family dynamics.
Experience building and maintaining trusting relationships in communities and with community organizations.
Experience managing a portfolio of clients or projects, with a lead role highly preferred.
Experience facilitating small and large group conversations, including designing and facilitating retreats and moving groups towards consensus and action.
Adeptness at anticipating and responding to client needs and challenging situations, ideally with demonstrated understanding of the nuances of working with senior leaders and high-net-worth individuals and families.
Crisp writing and clear presentation skills, able to concisely and powerfully synthesize large amounts of information and translate key themes and recommendations – in writing and verbally.
Comfort overseeing and managing project workflow, with a demonstrated ability to design, build, and manage programs. Ability to think strategically and establish goals and priorities for a multi-year workplan for various programs.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, paired with the ability to be calm and focused when juggling multiple projects and deadlines.
Ability to represent the company with external audiences and to be a credible voice in the social sector.
Intellectually curious and creative problem solver who persists in finding solutions to big and small obstacles.
Collegial, collaborative team member with high standards for self and team.
The ability to engage in light to moderate travel (up to 15%) for client work and team retreats.
Working knowledge of California and/or San Francisco Bay Area non-profit and civic organizations a plus.
Consulting experience with multiple clients in the public, private, nonprofit and/or philanthropy sectors, focused on social impact, with a nuanced understanding of day-to-day programming, operations, and collaboration with other sectors, preferred but not required.
HOW TO APPLY
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds.
After learning about us, submit your cover letter, resume and responses to the following prompts to Lisa Long at Lisa@talentepartners.com.
1. In no more than 250 words, share why this position and firm make sense for the next step in your career.
2. In no more than 250 words, share how you're uniquely qualified to enhance the team and our work.
3. In no more than 250 words, how will the different pieces of your identity contribute to this team and work? Please only share as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing.
At Third Plateau, we believe in the power of diverse teams. You can read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) here. Third Plateau is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to their race, color, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics.
Employment type
Full-time
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