Executive Vice President, Global Network Advancement & Operations

ABOUT UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE 

United Way brings people together to build strong communities where everyone thrives. As the world's largest privately funded charity serving 95 percent of U.S. communities and operating in 37 countries and territories, United Way’s humanitarian aid supports 48 million people every year. Through United Way, communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic solutions, and health resources. United Way is the mission of choice for 2.5 million volunteers, 7.7 million donors, and 45,000 corporate partners in more than 1,100 communities worldwide in its second century of service. Together, the United Way is building resilient, equitable communities across the globe. 

For over 130 years, United Way has improved lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. United Way envisions a world where every individual has an opportunity to succeed, and entire communities thrive as a result. United Way continues to be one of the world’s largest philanthropies. The Covid 19 pandemic underscored that now, more than ever, the world needs a community approach to addressing the challenges ahead. Through United Way, people from all walks of life came together effectively to connect traditional and non-traditional resources with community needs that made a difference across the globe. It is clear that United Way provides an inspiring way to advance social justice with big ideas and big action by energizing donors and volunteers to identify and address community needs.  

OUR OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT 

Throughout the pandemic United Way was able to impact over 60 million lives a year worldwide, spanning 1,100 communities over 37 countries. It did this by creating opportunities for all individuals and families to achieve their potential. United Way’s unique role is that, in many communities, it is the only nonprofit developing local solutions to address educational and health disparities as well as financial empowerment. Its emphasis on education, financial stability and health ensures that individuals and families have the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. And, even before the worldwide call to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, United Way Worldwide also led the charge for the United Way network to explicitly embrace the principles of equity and justice. 

The hallmark, and yet the challenge, of United Way is that it has traditionally allowed and celebrated the ability of Local United Ways to craft solutions that were unique to their specific communities, especially due to its federated structure. As a result, the leader must be able to integrate best thinking worldwide with a community-centered approach that informs where the focus should be, leading through influence and collaboration. 

The broad scope of United Way’s work is demonstrated by a summary of the major focus areas of many, if not most United Ways. 

• Education: Success in life begins with a quality education. And yet, millions of children and youth lack the support they need to strengthen their literacy, stay on track in school, graduate high school and find a career. United Way is fighting to shift the odds so tomorrow’s leaders can build a better foundation today. With an approach to education that spans from cradle to career, United Way is ensuring that every child gets a strong start in life, teenagers have the tools to learn and grow and young adults thrive in the job market.  
• Income & Financial Stability: In communities around the world, individuals and families are facing financial obstacles that prevent a good quality of life. United Way is fighting to put every person in every community on a path towards financial empowerment. That starts with access to services, job training, credit counseling and money management programs. Additionally, United Way keeps a finger on the pulse of poverty through research models such as ‘ALICE’ (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). By mentoring youth through financial workshops, providing individuals with job skills training and securing housing for struggling families, United Way is helping people get back on their feet.  
• Health: When it comes to accessing health services, a person’s zip code should never be a deterrent or barrier to improved health. Yet for many, that is a daily reality. By making it easier for individuals to access substance abuse programs, receive quality health care and access nutritious foods, United Way is fighting to help everyone get – and stay – healthy. From introducing food stands in urban food deserts to supporting the emotional and mental needs of veterans, United Way is committed to building healthy communities, one person at a time.  
• Equity: United Way Worldwide has developed a comprehensive Equity Framework to help Local United Ways become more diverse, inclusive and equitable organizations so that they are more credible addressing these same issues in the community. The ultimate goal is to help create more equitable communities. United Way Worldwide is focusing on strengthening the capacity of local professional and volunteer leaders to advance equitable community change. An Equity Toolkit provides detailed approaches that can help make United Way processes more reflective of the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.  

Learn more at UnitedWay.org. Follow us: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited. 

ROLE SUMMARY

The Executive Vice President, Global Network Advancement & Operations is a critical member of the United Way Worldwide Executive Leadership Team. In collaboration with the President and Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, this position will articulate and implement the global strategic vision and leadership of the organization as it undergoes transformational change. This individual will need to possess excellent relationship management skills in a federated organizational context to effectively oversee a significant portfolio of programs and services to meet the goals of United Way Worldwide.

This position is based in United Way Worldwide’s headquarters located in Old Town Alexandria, VA. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Network Advancement

• Lead the United Way Worldwide U.S. and non-U.S. network team, providing direction, goals, and development opportunities,

• Provide leadership to the United Way’s global network to effectively execute the strategic plan in support of local United Ways.

• Identify new opportunities while continuing to build effective relationships with network leaders, regional/state associations, global funders, global policy leaders, and other stakeholders and partners to further engagement and increase support for the United Way mission.

• Represent the needs of United Ways to the United Way Worldwide functional staff to ensure the tools, services and programs are developed in a timely manner to support their needs.

• Manage in a transparent manner to ensure an effective partnership between network members, regional and state associations and United Way Worldwide.

• Build strong relationships with local United Way CEOs, global regional Vice Presidents, leadership of national members, volunteer leaders, corporate leaders, organized labor, and donors.

• Champion support and advocacy for network members and partners to ensure synergy and collaboration across all parties.

• Manage key worldwide external relationships (e.g., nonprofit organizations, international NGO’s, United Nations, regional development associations).

Operations Leadership

• Develop, implement and maintain a sustainable delivery model that enables United Way Worldwide to continually enhance the United Way value proposition.

• Work cross-functionally with development, marketing and communications, and finance to ensure implementation of strategy and support growth.

• Provide oversight/direction to ensure policies and procedures regarding network members and partners are documented and followed.

• Accountable for budget development and execution, including management of expenses, fundraising and other revenue in partnership with development team.

• Align people practices with People & Culture and Diversity leaders to ensure equity for all staff.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred, or commensurate experience.

• 10 years of experience in a senior management role in large complex organizations (e.g., NGO, government, private sector, multi-lateral institutions).

• Experience working with a networked or federated organization.

• Excellent people management skills.

• Strong understanding of how the civic sector functions inside and outside of North America.

• Ability to motivate and develop staff while coaching the team for excellence.

• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff.

• Cultural competency with a diversity of cultures.

• International experience a plus

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $300,000 to 350,000, based on experience and the ability to have broad impact early. 

We offer excellent benefits including: health, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, employee assistance program, 403(b) plan, tuition assistance, paid time off, family sick leave, medical appointment leave, parental/adoption leave, dress for your day, free parking, onsite gym, monthly volunteering opportunities, and more. 

TIMELINE TO HIRE

The application deadline is February 13, 2023, and applications received by that date will be given priority but we will accept applications until the position is filled.  Zoom interviews with the Koya team will take place through end of February.  Zoom and in person interviews with the United Way Worldwide hiring committee will take place through March and we anticipate extending an offer in early April. 

UNITED WAY WORLDWIDE’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

United Way Worldwide seeks diverse, qualified professionals who want to make a difference in the world. If you are passionate about your work and desire to help others achieve enhanced education, income, and health, United Way Worldwide is the place for you.

We are a charter member of Employers of National Service and encourage AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni to apply.

United Way Worldwide takes the broadest possible view of diversity:

• We value the visible and invisible qualities that make you who you are. 
• We welcome that every person brings a unique perspective and experience to advance our mission and progress our fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. 
• We believe that each United Way community member, donor, volunteer, advocate, and employee must have equal access to solving community problems. 
• We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at the center of our daily work. 
• We commit to using these practices for our business and our communities. 

United Way Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer and evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics, in accordance with applicable laws. The EEO is the Law poster is available here: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf.

United Way Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, and other legally protected characteristics.

CONTACT

Koya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Karen Yetman Rea, Nikki Lynch Dina Tyler and Gina Wrolstad are leading this search. To express interest in the role, please do so here. To make recommendations or submit an inquiry, please email uww_evpcoo@koyapartners.com. 

All nominations, inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential. 
Koya Partners is committed to providing an accessible search process for all, including individuals living with disabilities. If you need assistance expressing interest online or any aspect of the recruitment process, please email uww_evpcoo@koyapartners.com