Program Director

U.S. Democracy Program Director

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation invests in creative thinkers and problem solvers working to ensure that people, communities, and the planet can flourish. Together with our partners, we are harnessing society's collective capacity to solve our toughest problems. A nonpartisan philanthropy, the Hewlett Foundation has made grants in the U.S. and globally for nearly six decades based on an approach that emphasizes long-term support, collaboration, and trust.

The U.S. Democracy Program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is committed to strengthening America's democratic institutions and building public trust in a durable, inclusive democracy. The program supports efforts to advance a political system that is responsive, representative, and resilient. In 2024, the program awarded 123 grants totaling more than $48 million to organizations working to improve governance and safeguard free and fair elections.

POSITION SUMMARY Reporting to President Amber Miller, the Program Director for U.S. Democracy will lead one of Hewlett's vital program areas at a time of profound challenge and opportunity for American democratic institutions. The Program Director will collaborate with a visionary president, a committed senior leadership team and a deeply experienced group of programmatic staff to strengthen the underpinnings of American self-governance. This leader will bring strategic vision, deep expertise in democratic governance and a passion for nonpartisan institutional renewal. They also will lead the team in a program review that will examine the efficacy of the Foundation's current strategies in light of the rapidly changing external environment and make updates that best meet the moment. Serving an eight-year term, the Program Director will oversee all program-related activities and grantmaking, while working with program officers to shape and implement strategies that reflect Hewlett's commitment to institutional integrity, civic trust and democratic resilience. This individual will be a collaborative force across the Foundation, working with other program directors and colleagues across the organization to amplify impact and foster cross-cutting solutions and working with administrative teams to effectively operationalize the strategy. With a creative and forward-looking perspective, the Program Director will work collaboratively with the program team, while bringing their own insights and leadership to evolve the program in a strategic direction.

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Ensure that the U.S. Democracy Program remains true to Hewlett's guiding principles, while driving the development of innovative initiatives to promote its ongoing impact and influence as a leader in addressing institutional integrity, civic trust and democratic resilience in the United States.
• Champion Hewlett's mission and the work of its grantees and partners and serve as an authentic and compelling internal and external spokesperson.
• Build and sustain a culture of curiosity, candor, integrity and mutual respect, fostering collaboration and accountability across the program and with other teams at the Foundation.
• Engage substantively with staff in the U.S. Democracy Program, as well as administrative, legal, communications and grants management colleagues embedded within the program and across the Foundation. Identify distinct opportunities to create impact through internal partnership and collaboration, providing leadership, guidance and support for interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Proactively develop and identify funding coalitions with a wide range of external partners, expanding the U.S. Democracy Program's reach and catalyzing greater impact in the field.
• Capitalize on the U.S. Democracy Program's expertise and strengths, specifically its cross-ideological approach and focus on long-term commitment to democratic principles.
• Maintain the ability to attract, retain and develop top talent and create conditions that allow members of the team to do their best work.
• Maintain a strong and successful relationship with Hewlett's president and serve as a key member of the senior team.
• Develop relationships with other senior staff members and work collectively to advance institutional priorities.
• Identify, anticipate and develop strategies and / or programmatic priorities to address changes in the philanthropic sector, as well as the social, political, legal and economic landscape, which may impact the U.S. Democracy Program, its strategies and its priorities in the near and long term.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

COLLABORATING AND INFLUENCING

INCLUSIVE ORIENTATION

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

COMPENSATION The estimated annual base salary range for this position is $400,000 to $500,000, but the final base salary