Milken Institute
Director, Social Innovation (Thriving U.S. Communities)
Milken Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
About The Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.
About The Position
We are seeking a dynamic, seasoned, and mission ‑ driven leader to join our
Social Innovation
portfolio and guide the Thriving Communities initiative, aimed at empowering U.S. communities to be prosperous and resilient through strategic partnerships, innovation, and evidence-based impact. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will oversee bold, data-informed programming and publications.
In This Role, You Will
Shape and lead high ‑ impact work that tackles some of society’s most complex challenges using bold, data ‑ driven, and cross ‑ sector strategies to influence the direction of philanthropic and impact capital. Direct rigorous, future ‑ focused research efforts, guiding project teams through the design, execution, and delivery of high ‑ quality studies that inform strategy, decision-making, and action. Guide strategic alignment and play a central role in steering the Thriving Communities initiative, reimagining the American Dream for the 21st Century through inclusive economic mobility, community violence prevention, technological integration, equitable educational access, demographic shifts, workforce transformation, and fair capital access. Serve as a liaison , streamlining communication and operational coherence across projects Manage multi ‑ disciplinary teams , ensuring collaboration with internal colleagues and external stakeholders—philanthropic leaders, policymakers, community organizations, and corporate innovators. Influence national discourse , helping craft actionable strategies, and catalyzing long ‑ term investments in community well ‑ being.
Responsibilities
Strategy & Leadership Shape the vision and strategic direction for the Thriving Communities programming, with a focus on high-impact, future-focused, scalable solutions for U.S. communities. Develop and execute programming and partnerships to build programs and partnerships that bridge private impact capital and community-driven initiatives. Oversee research and program design around topics such as gun violence prevention, economic opportunity, education and workforce transformation, and equitable access to capital. Program & Research Oversight Guide rigorous, interdisciplinary research efforts that result in actionable recommendations for funders, practitioners, and policymakers. Lead the production of white papers, toolkits, philanthropic roadmaps, and public reports grounded in data and lived experience. Ensure quality and excellence across research and public deliverables through methods such as peer review, foresight analysis, and structured validation processes. Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with C-suite executives, policymakers, local leaders, and field experts to inform and amplify the work. Facilitate convenings, workshops, and roundtables that bridge diverse perspectives across sectors and geographies. Support partner and business development activities to secure long-term sustainability of the initiative. Team & Portfolio Management Lead, mentor, and motivate a multidisciplinary high-performing team, promoting excellence in execution, communication, and collaboration. Serve as a senior representative of the Social Innovation team in cross-portfolio work and organization-wide initiatives. External Representation Represent the Milken Institute in public forums and national conversations related to social innovation, equity, and community resilience. Collaborate with the Communications team to elevate key findings and ideas through media, convenings, and thought leadership platforms. Duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Experience: 15+ years of full-time relevant professional experience in philanthropy, policy, think tanks, or mission-driven private sector work, with increasing leadership responsibility. Experience with strategic foresight, design thinking, and/or future casting preferred. Education: Graduate degree preferred (public interest technology, education, urban planning, community psychology, or a related field. Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas relevant to thriving communities in the United States (e.g., violence prevention, economic mobility, workforce development, financial inclusion). Leadership: Proven success managing high-performing teams and complex, multi-stakeholder projects with strategic clarity, diligence, humor, and humility. Communication: Exceptional writing, presentation, and facilitation skills for a range of audiences—from local leaders to institutional funders. Values: Entrepreneurial spirit, collaborative mindset, intellectually curiosity, and a deep commitment to inclusion and impact.
Working Conditions & Travel Requirements
This position will work in a professional office environment on a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion.
This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.
Note
The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as
one
attachment.
Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected . If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Our Culture
The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match) Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity) Fertility Support Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Account (FSAs) Pet Insurance Discount Training & Development: LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered Annual Mentor Program Wellness Resources: Employee Assistance Program CALM app membership
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.
The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.
About The Position
We are seeking a dynamic, seasoned, and mission ‑ driven leader to join our
Social Innovation
portfolio and guide the Thriving Communities initiative, aimed at empowering U.S. communities to be prosperous and resilient through strategic partnerships, innovation, and evidence-based impact. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will oversee bold, data-informed programming and publications.
In This Role, You Will
Shape and lead high ‑ impact work that tackles some of society’s most complex challenges using bold, data ‑ driven, and cross ‑ sector strategies to influence the direction of philanthropic and impact capital. Direct rigorous, future ‑ focused research efforts, guiding project teams through the design, execution, and delivery of high ‑ quality studies that inform strategy, decision-making, and action. Guide strategic alignment and play a central role in steering the Thriving Communities initiative, reimagining the American Dream for the 21st Century through inclusive economic mobility, community violence prevention, technological integration, equitable educational access, demographic shifts, workforce transformation, and fair capital access. Serve as a liaison , streamlining communication and operational coherence across projects Manage multi ‑ disciplinary teams , ensuring collaboration with internal colleagues and external stakeholders—philanthropic leaders, policymakers, community organizations, and corporate innovators. Influence national discourse , helping craft actionable strategies, and catalyzing long ‑ term investments in community well ‑ being.
Responsibilities
Strategy & Leadership Shape the vision and strategic direction for the Thriving Communities programming, with a focus on high-impact, future-focused, scalable solutions for U.S. communities. Develop and execute programming and partnerships to build programs and partnerships that bridge private impact capital and community-driven initiatives. Oversee research and program design around topics such as gun violence prevention, economic opportunity, education and workforce transformation, and equitable access to capital. Program & Research Oversight Guide rigorous, interdisciplinary research efforts that result in actionable recommendations for funders, practitioners, and policymakers. Lead the production of white papers, toolkits, philanthropic roadmaps, and public reports grounded in data and lived experience. Ensure quality and excellence across research and public deliverables through methods such as peer review, foresight analysis, and structured validation processes. Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with C-suite executives, policymakers, local leaders, and field experts to inform and amplify the work. Facilitate convenings, workshops, and roundtables that bridge diverse perspectives across sectors and geographies. Support partner and business development activities to secure long-term sustainability of the initiative. Team & Portfolio Management Lead, mentor, and motivate a multidisciplinary high-performing team, promoting excellence in execution, communication, and collaboration. Serve as a senior representative of the Social Innovation team in cross-portfolio work and organization-wide initiatives. External Representation Represent the Milken Institute in public forums and national conversations related to social innovation, equity, and community resilience. Collaborate with the Communications team to elevate key findings and ideas through media, convenings, and thought leadership platforms. Duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Experience: 15+ years of full-time relevant professional experience in philanthropy, policy, think tanks, or mission-driven private sector work, with increasing leadership responsibility. Experience with strategic foresight, design thinking, and/or future casting preferred. Education: Graduate degree preferred (public interest technology, education, urban planning, community psychology, or a related field. Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas relevant to thriving communities in the United States (e.g., violence prevention, economic mobility, workforce development, financial inclusion). Leadership: Proven success managing high-performing teams and complex, multi-stakeholder projects with strategic clarity, diligence, humor, and humility. Communication: Exceptional writing, presentation, and facilitation skills for a range of audiences—from local leaders to institutional funders. Values: Entrepreneurial spirit, collaborative mindset, intellectually curiosity, and a deep commitment to inclusion and impact.
Working Conditions & Travel Requirements
This position will work in a professional office environment on a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion.
This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world.
Note
The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.
Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as
one
attachment.
Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected . If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.
Our Culture
The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.
Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone.
Benefits
Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision) Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match) Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D) Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays) Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity) Fertility Support Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Flexible Spending Account (FSAs) Pet Insurance Discount Training & Development: LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered Annual Mentor Program Wellness Resources: Employee Assistance Program CALM app membership
#J-18808-Ljbffr