Position Summary

The Executive Director will serve as the senior leader of Vivo Foundation and a trusted thought partner to the Founders. Working closely with the Founders, the Executive Director will refine and execute Vivo's strategy, lead the grantmaking process, oversee operations, and strengthen Vivo's organizational capacity and long-term impact. The ideal candidate will bring a deep commitment to the work, informed perspectives, clear recommendations, and strong execution while ensuring that major priorities and decisions remain aligned with the overall vision.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Thought Partnership

• In partnership with the Founders, lead the evolution and expansion of Vivo's strategy, priorities, and approach to innovation. As an expert on emerging trends, policies, and best practices, identify opportunities to advance Vivo's mission and champion the implementation of new initiatives.
• Translate the vision and decisions into clear priorities, execution plans, and measurable progress.

Grantmaking and Relationships

• Lead a cohesive, high impact grantmaking process. Ensure that high-quality data along with field insights and practical knowledge inform decisions.
• Develop clear recommendations for a thoughtful, disciplined, and mission-aligned portfolio.
• Cultivate trusting relationships with nonprofit leaders, peer funders, community partners, and government stakeholders to further organizational goals and expand our impact.

Operations

• Manage, motivate, and develop the Foundation's team. Cultivate a collaborative, enthusiastic, trusting, and highly productive environment.
• Lead and enhance Vivo's operating model. Ensure operations are compliant, efficient, and aligned with organizational priorities.
• Work closely with the family office, particularly the Chief Financial Officer, on applicable financial, legal, tax, human resources, technology, and administrative matters.

Public Art Project and Special Initiatives

• Working closely with the Founders and team, manage the launch, and early operations of a new public art space in Chicago. This includes oversight of the strategy, operating plan, staffing, governance, budgeting, community engagement, programming, communications, and partnerships.
• Recruit and onboard a dedicated Project Director and support the transition of day-to-day responsibility to that leader while maintaining appropriate executive oversight.
• Identify opportunities for additional Foundation-led initiatives that support the mission and create meaningful impact. Draw on personal experience and networks to turn ideas into successful endeavors.

Communications and Organizational Alignment

• Distill complex information into concise, decision-ready materials.
• Oversee key internal and external communications, including Board materials, newsletters and LinkedIn content, while respecting the Founders' preference for privacy.
• Provide open, direct, and timely communication with internal and external partners to ensure organizational alignment and authentic relationships.

Advisory Board and Family Philanthropy

• With the Founders, engage the Advisory Board in Vivo's work through meaningful learning, participation, and next-generation philanthropic engagement. Comprising immediate family members and non-family experts, the Advisory Board serves in a non-voting capacity.
• Oversee discretionary grant allocations from the Trustees, Advisory Board, and staff of the Foundation and family office.
• Coordinate personal giving outside the Foundation.

Leadership Profile and Qualifications

• The successful candidate will be a strategic leader with exceptional communication, team management, and project management skills, who enjoys working closely with engaged Founders. This individual will possess excellent judgement, an entrepreneurial mindset, intellectual curiosity, and the utmost discretion.
• Candidates should bring significant leadership experience (10+ years) in philanthropy, nonprofit management, education, and/or public service.
• Flexibility, responsiveness, creativity, and a can-do attitude are highly valued.
• Experience working with a family or private foundation is preferred, along with knowledge of Chicago and Lake County's nonprofit, philanthropic, civic, and education landscape.

This position will be in office 4 days per week from our Chicago (Gold Coast) office with occasional work in our Northbrook office. The Foundation shares space with the Trustees' family office.

Total compensation for this position includes an annual salary in the $260,000 - $300,000 range and a performance-based bonus. Additional benefits include health insurance, 401K matching contributions, and an Executive Director-managed discretionary grant allocation.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until this position is filled; for best review, potential candidates are encouraged to apply by September 10, 2026.

All inquiries and applications will be held in the highest confidence. To apply, please submit a targeted cover letter and resume via this link; no phone calls, please.