As a Manager, Innovation, you will be a core part of the Strategy and Partnerships portfolio with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI). You will work to independently research, design, build, and manage AI projects that align with the overall Innovation team’s AI strategy and goals. In this role, you will develop and execute complex end-to-end projects that involve developing concepts and managing partner relationships, further executed as project plans that yield on-time deliverables with minimum supervision. The position reports to the Vice President, Innovation. You will engage senior leaders across philanthropy, the private sector, academia, and non-profits, with the support and guidance from the Vice President, Innovation.

Pay Range: $133,377 - $176,544. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience.

Work Schedule: This role is on a hybrid work schedule, and required to be in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Grant and Contract Administration

• Scope, develop, secure, and manage projects from idea to closing. Execute funding concepts to advance (1) the use of data science methods for social good with a special focus on RF’s climate agenda, and (2) responsible and ethical deployment of data and technology tools.
• Shape and guide concepts through the Foundation’s review and approval process, including complicated funding instruments, such as Program Related Investments (PRIs), Expenditure Responsibility (ER) grants, and recoverable grants, leading due diligence relationships with our grants, legal and finance teams, and proposal/budget development.
• Design, scope, and shape portfolios in alignment with Innovation goals around the AI strategy and support the climate agenda with input from senior leadership, external co-funders, and technical experts.
• Proactively build and maintain strong working relationships with grantees and contractors, identifying challenges and collaboratively developing solutions to enable impact, including identifying co-funding opportunities to scale impact.
• Establish, evaluate, and report on the performance of grants and contracts in the portfolio to drive measurement, evaluation, and learning.
• Work with other members of the Innovation team, including New Frontiers and Data Science, to ensure transparency and alignment of work.

Technical Research

• Regularly review technical literature and industry publications to stay updated on the latest advancements in data and technology relevant to Artificial Intelligence.
• Actively participate in technical communities and conversations and stay informed about emerging trends and breakthroughs in the field.
• Design, plan, and implement technical briefings and integrate technical insights into funding strategies.
• Advise the Vice President for Innovation on new trends in Artificial Intelligence and their implications for RF’s grant portfolio.
• Evaluate risks and challenges associated with AI implementation, propose mitigation strategies, and ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Technical Advising

• Plan and implement technical advising projects across the Innovation Team and partner teams, collecting and evaluating technical information and providing decision-makers with recommendations of easily digestible trade-offs when trying to approach solutions to often complex problems.
• Develop and manage collaborative grants and contracts to meet shared objectives.
• Partner with other program teams to ensure connectivity and alignment with major initiatives, most importantly related to the climate strategy.
• Foster collaboration with external partners to stay at the forefront of AI advancements and identify potential opportunities.

Communication

• Communicate complex data, methods, and narratives in clear and compelling ways through design, data visualization, and concise writing.
• Lead efforts to connect funded partners and develop/pitch impactful narratives that drive the shared mission of our grantees and The Foundation.
• Publish blogs, op-eds, and research briefs to communicate the Innovation Team’s work and findings, fine-tuned to intended internal and external audiences.
• Execute convening designs to communicate Innovation work.
• Lead the planning, execution, and follow-up of major Artificial Intelligence briefings, including at Bellagio and the newly opened New York City convening space.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Education background in economics, math, computer science, or quantitative methods is required. Demonstrated experience conducting due diligence on complex data and technology projects.
• Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence programming and applications to engage with experts in the field.
• Generally expected to have 7-10 years of relevant AI experience, in the private sector, philanthropy, academic, and/or non-profit sector
• Bachelors required; Masters preferred.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Data Oriented: Consistently achieves results, by approaching work informed by data.
• Directs Work: Provides direction, delegates, and removes obstacles to get work done.
• Manages Complexity: Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
• Strategic Learning: Actively learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Values Differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.

The Rockefeller Foundation offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes health insurance programs, tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment, a generous 401K, parental leave, and various forms of paid time off, all to help our employees feel energized, cared for, and engaged.

As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We operate from a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything that we do. It is not only the right thing to do – we could not make an impact without our team members' diverse perspectives and experiences. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.

The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.