Overview

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation's largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. We work on transformative change in areas of climate change, criminal justice reform, revitalizing local news, and corruption in Nigeria. We also invest in Chicago and in just journalism.

Opportunity

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform many aspects of society. The MacArthur Foundation has advanced democratic oversight of AI through its Technology in the Public Interest program. We are now building a dedicated program on AI Opportunity, focusing on the intersection of AI, the economy, and the workforce—especially young people in Chicago, community‑centered AI development, and nonprofit AI applications.

What You’ll Do

As inaugural Director, you will apply your fluency in AI to fund work that expands access to good jobs and economic mobility in Chicago. You will translate between AI researchers and civil society leaders, forge partnerships with employers and educators, and guide philanthropic investments that demonstrate responsible, equitable AI adoption. You will publish insights, represent the Foundation nationally and internationally, and build a team to develop and implement the program’s strategy for a five‑year time‑limited role with the possibility of extension.

Role Overview

As the first person in this role, you will help shape the vision, approach, and ways of working for this Big Bet program. You will provide expertise, guidance, and oversight of strategy, field leadership, staff management, program leadership, internal collaboration, and process management. This hybrid role is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Strategy Momentum and Progress

Oversee the design and development of grantmaking strategies Understand the impact, progress, interactions, and relationships of individual grants Monitor and evaluate progress to ensure grantmaking, team, and Foundation goals are met and modify strategies to ensure achievement of goals Identify and develop strategic initiatives that respond timely to special opportunities or critical challenges Connect the dots, translate ideas into action, and guide long‑term strategy with humility and clarity Coordinate with Humanity AI and TPI to ensure alignment of intent and coherence of execution

Field Leadership

Make prepared remarks and participate on panels and media interviews; publish papers, articles, and/or opinion pieces Participate in task forces and working groups and collaborate with other funders on shared interests and challenges Align with leaders of Humanity AI and TPI on coordinated thought leadership, messaging, and engagement

Staff Management and Motivation

Design and build a purpose‑fit team while fostering a positive culture and collaborative learning environment Hold space as a manager and support the personal and professional growth of team members Instill a sense of leadership and accountability among team members by monitoring performance standards Co‑create opportunities for the team in alignment with the Foundation’s values and in relationship with the communities we walk alongside while adhering to performance standards and Foundation values

Program Leadership

Seek and manage external partnerships to enhance impact and internal cross‑area and inter‑program synergies Find opportunities for continuous program and process improvement Identify and develop collaborative relationships with public and private partners and build local, regional, and national relationships

Internal Collaboration

Participate in multiple internal collaborative relationships; join Team Leader meetings, develop learning questions and an evaluation framework together with our Evaluation colleagues, and collaborate with Communications

Process Management

Oversee active grants and prepare and submit process management tools and documents ensuring to adhere to deadlines Write grant briefs and review and edit grant briefs written by the team maintaining objectivity, demanding rigor in thinking, ensuring that strategy documents are well written and comply with Foundation standards Maintain effective and transparent communication with grantees regarding progress and challenges in executing their work

Compensation and Benefits

Annual salary for this role will start at $210,100. The Foundation offers a generous total compensation package that emphasizes base salary and a comprehensive benefits package to support life, health, and well‑being.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. Reasonable requests for accommodation will be considered to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job. Reasonable accommodations will also be made available to candidates during the interview process.

Location

Chicago, Illinois. Hybrid role.

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