Director – Programs, Europe

Open Society Foundations · London

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Role Title: Director – Programs, Europe

Contract Type: Regular (Mandated until February 2030)

Workstyle Arrangement: Hybrid 

Reporting To: VP, External Affairs and Office of the Chair

Program Name: Programs, Europe

Location: London, Berlin

Team Name: Programs, Europe

Role Purpose 

The Director, Europe will lead the development and implementation of the Europe program strategy, oversee grantmaking, partner engagement, team leadership, and organizational representation to advance human rights, equity, and justice across Europe. 

The role will focus on Europe’s role in promoting open societies, supporting human rights, and advancing democratic governance globally. Serves as the focal point for all Open Society work in Europe, ensuring strategic and informed interventions

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Lead the development and execution of the Europe program strategy aligned with the organization's mission and values.
• Identify opportunities to advance human rights, equity, justice, democratic participation, and civic space across Europe.
• Analyze political, economic, and social developments and assess their implications for the Europe portfolio.
• Ensure that strategies are responsive to changing regional contexts and emerging challenges.
• Ensure organizational resources are deployed strategically and effectively to strengthen civil society, support movements, influence systems change and drive lasting social impact

Grantmaking and Portfolio Management

• Oversee a portfolio of grants across Europe.
• Ensure that grantmaking aligns with strategic priorities and achieves intended impact.

Partner and Movement Engagement

• Build strong relationships with grantees, activists, civil society organizations, movement leaders, academics, and thought partners.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to partners.
• Strengthen Europe networks, coalitions, and alliances advancing human rights, equity and justice.
• Ensure the voices and experiences of impacted communities inform strategy and decision-making.
• Foster collaboration among partners working on related issues.

Thought Leadership and Representation

• Represent the organization externally with funders, civil society leaders, policymakers, multilateral institutions, and peer philanthropies.
• Convene stakeholders around emerging opportunities and challenges.
• Contribute to public discourse on human rights, equity, and justice issues.
• Build the organization's credibility and influence across the region.

Advocacy

• Oversee key advocacy engagement in/on and about the region and be cognizant of other advocacy engagement efforts underway by various teams.

• Coordinate Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) efforts in partnership with the Strategy and Impact Unit to understand the impact of Open Society’s work across various components of the opportunity model.
• Promote a culture of learning and reflection.
• Assess the effectiveness and impact of funding strategies and interventions.
• Adapt strategies based on changing political and social realities.
• Monitor and regularly report on the progress of the programmatic work to the VP, External Affairs and Office of the Chair and other senior Open Society Foundations leaders

Cross-Organizational Collaboration

• Partner with colleagues across the network to advance organizational priorities.
• Contribute a European perspective to global strategies and initiatives.
• Collaborate with policy, communications, advocacy, Office of the General Council, and operations teams.
• Share insights and best practices across the organization.

Risk Management and Stewardship

• Partner with colleagues to assess political, reputational, operational, financial, and security risks associated with programs and grants.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of philanthropic resources.
• Maintain compliance with legal, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
• Protect and uphold Open Society’s organizational values while navigating complex political environments.
• Lead crisis management responses and submit Rapid Response requests related to crisis in the region.
• Hold the authority to decline Open Society engagements in the region (grants, staff visits) that may have negative strategic implications.
• Liaise closely with the Risk Director and the Risk Preparedness Committee to ensure that our approach to risk is integrated and holistic

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a small high-performing team.
• Create an inclusive culture grounded in equity, respect, accountability, and learning.
• Support staff wellbeing and resilience, particularly when working on complex and sensitive issues.
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and professional development opportunities.

Leadership Visits

• Organize senior leadership visits to the region in collaboration with relevant Directors.

People Responsibilities (Total Team/DRs)

4

Key metrics

• Number of strategic priorities achieving planned outcomes.
• Annual assessment of portfolio performance against objectives.
• Quality and impact of the grant portfolio.
• Timeliness of grantmaking decisions.
• Percentage of grants meeting intended objectives.
• Diversity and inclusiveness of grantee portfolio.
• Quality of relationships with grantees and partners.
• Grantee satisfaction and trust levels.
• Contributions to movement-building and coalition strengthening.
• Success in convening stakeholders and fostering collaboration.

The Ideal Candidate

• Prior significant experience in leading social change and system- change work in civil society, government, multilateral institutions, and/or the private sector that has resulted in positive societal impact.
• Proven experience developing and implementing regional or multi-country strategies across Europe.
• Prior financial ($20m+), legal and risk accountability at a large-scale programmatic level.
• Prior experience leading programmatic or organizational level change within organizations and/or systems that have gone through significant transformation.
• Experience in multiple sectors and knowledge of philanthropic tools such as advocacy and communication, strategic litigation, and social impact approaches.
• Demonstrated experience managing grantmaking portfolios, including funding recommendations, due diligence, and partner oversight.
• Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with civil society organizations, grantees, policymakers, and philanthropic partners.
• Proven track record of leading, developing, and managing high-performing teams, including geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience managing complex programs, budgets, and resources to achieve measurable impact.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and manage strategic, operational, reputational, and political risks.
• Experience using data, evaluation, and learning to inform strategy and decision-making.

What we offer

• Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact; from a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee to onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts. 

• Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including: 

• Generous time off and flexible work arrangements. 

• Staff are required to work in an Open Society office 50% of working days per month. 

• Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required). 

• Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance. 

• Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and much more. 

• A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact. 

Who we are

Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling us to respond swiftly to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems. 

Guided by our founder’s values and the belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice, inspiring every action we take. 

Competitive rates of pay apply.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply.   

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

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