Director of Programs, Women's Entrepreneurship

Job Title: Programs Lead

Location: Remote, US-South (Must Reside in North or South Carolina)

Organization: Clara Lionel Foundation

Reports to: Head of Programs and Impact

About Us

The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) was founded in 2012 by Robyn Rihanna Fenty in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. We are dedicated to building thriving and resilient communities by empowering local innovators to drive meaningful change from within. Through investment, partnerships, and support, we help individuals lead transformation in their own communities across five interconnected pillars: climate solutions, women’s empowerment, arts and culture, health access and equity, and future generations. Our mission is to create lasting impact and a better future by fostering innovation and inclusivity in every community we serve. We collaborate with organizations, leaders, and grassroots movements working to dismantle economic inequities, build sustainable opportunities, and create resilient local economies. Our work spans several regions, with a focus on the Caribbean, U.S. South, and building on lessons learned from our ongoing initiatives in East Africa.

Position Overview:

CLF currently manages a $20 million USD fund dedicated to driving climate-resilient entrepreneurial solutions that create measurable improvements in opportunities for women and girls across Africa. The Director of Programs, Women's Entrepreneurship will be responsible for developing, managing, and evaluating initiatives that advance economic justice and equity across the Caribbean and U.S. South, while integrating insights and best practices from existing programs in East Africa. This role involves close collaboration with grantees, community partners, and stakeholders to drive systemic change and support impactful programs addressing barriers to economic opportunity, particularly in historically underserved communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage programs and initiatives aimed at addressing economic disparities and fostering wealth-building opportunities in marginalized communities in the Caribbean and U.S. South.
• Integrate learnings and best practices from existing economic justice initiatives in East Africa to inform strategies in new regional contexts.
• Oversee a grant portfolio, including evaluating funding proposals, conducting due diligence, and monitoring grant performance to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with nonprofit partners, community leaders, funders, and policymakers across the Caribbean and U.S. South.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to grantees and partners to strengthen program effectiveness and sustainability.
• Conduct research and analyze economic trends, policies, and structural inequities specific to the Caribbean and U.S. South to inform program strategies and advocacy efforts.
• Track and evaluate program outcomes, preparing comprehensive reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent CLF at meetings, conferences, and public events to promote organizational goals and share insights.
• Contribute to the development of strategic plans, budgets, and operational workflows for economic justice initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, social sciences, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program design, grant management, or policy advocacy related to economic justice, community development, or equity initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of economic justice frameworks, systemic inequities, and policy advocacy strategies, with regional expertise in the Caribbean and/or U.S. South.
• Experience applying learnings from cross-regional initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working with grassroots organizations, historically marginalized communities, and multi-sector coalitions.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and analytical skills.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives while managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in data analysis, program evaluation, and impact assessment methodologies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse groups.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $90k - $110k USD (depending on experience)
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter.

Job Title: Director, Economic Justice

Location: Remote, US-South

Organization: Clara Lionel Foundation

Reports to: Head of Programs and Impact

About Us

The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) was founded in 2012 by Robyn Rihanna Fenty in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite. We are dedicated to building thriving and resilient communities by empowering local innovators to drive meaningful change from within. Through investment, partnerships, and support, we help individuals lead transformation in their own communities across five interconnected pillars: climate solutions, women’s empowerment, arts and culture, health access and equity, and future generations. Our mission is to create lasting impact and a better future by fostering innovation and inclusivity in every community we serve. We collaborate with organizations, leaders, and grassroots movements working to dismantle economic inequities, build sustainable opportunities, and create resilient local economies. Our work spans several regions, with a focus on the Caribbean, U.S. South, and building on lessons learned from our ongoing initiatives in East Africa.

Position Overview:

CLF currently manages a $20 million USD fund dedicated to driving climate-resilient entrepreneurial solutions that create measurable improvements in opportunities for women and girls across Africa. The Director, Economic Justice will be responsible for developing, managing, and evaluating initiatives that advance economic justice and equity across the Caribbean and U.S. South, while integrating insights and best practices from existing programs in East Africa. This role involves close collaboration with grantees, community partners, and stakeholders to drive systemic change and support impactful programs addressing barriers to economic opportunity, particularly in historically underserved communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage programs and initiatives aimed at addressing economic disparities and fostering wealth-building opportunities in marginalized communities in the Caribbean and U.S. South.
• Integrate learnings and best practices from existing economic justice initiatives in East Africa to inform strategies in new regional contexts.
• Oversee a grant portfolio, including evaluating funding proposals, conducting due diligence, and monitoring grant performance to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with nonprofit partners, community leaders, funders, and policymakers across the Caribbean and U.S. South.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to grantees and partners to strengthen program effectiveness and sustainability.
• Conduct research and analyze economic trends, policies, and structural inequities specific to the Caribbean and U.S. South to inform program strategies and advocacy efforts.
• Track and evaluate program outcomes, preparing comprehensive reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent CLF at meetings, conferences, and public events to promote organizational goals and share insights.
• Contribute to the development of strategic plans, budgets, and operational workflows for economic justice initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy, social sciences, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program design, grant management, or policy advocacy related to economic justice, community development, or equity initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of economic justice frameworks, systemic inequities, and policy advocacy strategies, with regional expertise in the Caribbean and/or U.S. South.
• Experience applying learnings from cross-regional initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working with grassroots organizations, historically marginalized communities, and multi-sector coalitions.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and analytical skills.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic initiatives while managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in data analysis, program evaluation, and impact assessment methodologies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse groups.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $90k - $110k USD (depending on experience)
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.

How to Apply:

• Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter.