Program Director, U.S. Democracy

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ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation invests in creative thinkers and problem solvers working to ensure that people, communities, and the planet can flourish. Together with our partners, we are harnessing society’s collective capacity to solve our toughest problems. A nonpartisan philanthropy, the Hewlett Foundation has made grants in the U.S. and globally for nearly six decades based on an approach that emphasizes long‑term support, collaboration, and trust.

Globally, we make grants to address both longstanding and emerging challenges, like our efforts to reduce the growing threat of climate change, contribute to evidence‑informed policy making, and reimagine the economy and society. Our U.S. efforts prioritize strengthening democracy, advancing K‑12 education for all students, and supporting community‑led conservation. In the San Francisco Bay Area we call home, we make grants to support meaningful artistic experiences in local communities and support regional foundations working on critical issues such as housing. Our grantmaking also invests in strengthening the effectiveness of our grantees, and of philanthropy itself. The Hewlett Foundation’s assets are approximately $13.9 billion, with annual awards of grants totaling exceeding $600 million in recent years. More information about the Hewlett Foundation is available at:

The Foundation has approximately 130 employees in programmatic, operational, and investment roles, and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Across the organization, our employees are challenged with meaningful work, have the resources for ongoing professional development and learning, and contribute to a collegial and engaging environment. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion as part of our Guiding Principles and encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

ABOUT THE U.S. DEMOCRACY PROGRAM

The U.S. Democracy Program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is committed to strengthening America’s democratic institutions and building public trust in a durable, inclusive democracy. Through nonpartisan grantmaking, the program supports efforts to advance a political system that is responsive, representative, and resilient. In 2024, the program awarded 123 grants totaling more than $48 million to organizations working to improve governance and safeguard free and fair elections.

The program’s grantmaking is currently guided by the following core strategies:

• National Governing Institutions: This strategy strengthens the capacity, legitimacy, and adaptability of the federal government’s legislative and executive branches. It supports efforts to modernize Congress and the executive branch not only to make them more effective but also to reintroduce constructive conflict, deliberation, and accountability as defining features of self‑government. NGI invests in organizations that defend the professional civil service, advance evidence‑based policymaking, and build bridges between policymakers and the public. By aligning performance reforms with cultural and institutional renewal, the strategy aims to rebuild public trust, foster cross‑partisan collaboration, and ensure that the government is both capable of solving problems and seen as legitimate in doing so.
• Trustworthy Elections: The Trustworthy Elections strategy aims to ensure that U.S. elections are secure, accessible, and worthy of public confidence. Grants support efforts that strengthen the conditions of free and fair elections, mitigate political extremism and violence, and ensure voters can trust and safely participate in electoral politics. The strategy also promotes public understanding and acceptance of election outcomes across the ideological spectrum, reinforcing the legitimacy of democratic institutions and processes. By supporting the conditions and institutions that are integral to the American electoral system, this strategy helps foster civic trust within a deeply polarized electorate and safeguard the principal democratic conduit between citizen and state.
• Political Culture: Across the two strategies, and within the grantmaking portfolio held by the program director, the program has also recognized the central importance of rediscovering a shared political culture across the ideological spectrum. Work in this area began by funding organizations that enlisted trusted messengers from to encourage civic virtues and democratic norms within their own communities. The Foundation is currently exploring a project to develop approaches that invite more Americans, including those disillusioned with today’s highly divisive political environment, to work together toward solutions that will collectively benefit everyone. There is significant opportunity for leadership in this effort within the Foundation.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to President Amber Miller, the Program Director for U.S. Democracy will lead one of Hewlett’s vital program areas at a time of profound challenge and opportunity for American democratic institutions. The Program Director will collaborate with a visionary president, a committed senior leadership team and a deeply experienced group of programmatic staff to strengthen the underpinnings of American self‑governance. This leader will bring strategic vision, deep expertise in democratic governance and a passion for nonpartisan institutional renewal. They also will lead the team in a program review that will examine the efficacy of the Foundation’s current strategies in light of the rapidly changing external environment and make updates that best meet the moment.

Serving an eight‑year term, the Program Director will oversee all program‑related activities and grantmaking, while working with program officers to shape and implement strategies that reflect Hewlett’s commitment to institutional integrity, civic trust and democratic resilience. This individual will be a collaborative force across the Foundation, working with other program directors and colleagues across the organization to amplify impact and foster cross‑cutting solutions and working with administrative teams to effectively operationalize the strategy. With a creative and forward‑looking perspective, the Program Director will work collaboratively with the program team, while bringing their own insights and leadership to evolve the program in a strategic direction.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: President

Direct reports:

• Program Associate
• Program Officers (2)
• Program Operations Manager

Other key relationships:

• Embedded Grants, Legal and Communications Partners
• Program Directors
• Chief Financial Officer
• Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
• Vice President and Chief Communications and Strategic External Engagement
• General Counsel
• Grantees and organizations of the U.S. Democracy Program
• Foundations and other funders operating in similar or adjacent fields
• Thought leaders and policy makers

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Ensure that the U.S. Democracy Program remains true to Hewlett’s guiding principles, while driving the development of innovative initiatives to promote its ongoing impact and influence as a leader in addressing institutional integrity, civic trust and democratic resilience in the United States.
• Champion Hewlett’s mission and the work of its grantees and partners and serve as an authentic and compelling internal and external spokesperson.
• Build and sustain a culture of curiosity, candor, integrity and mutual respect, fostering collaboration and accountability across the program and with other teams at the Foundation.
• Engage substantively with staff in the U.S. Democracy Program, as well as administrative, legal, communications and grants management colleagues embedded within the program and across the Foundation. Identify distinct opportunities to create impact through internal partnership and collaboration, providing leadership, guidance and support for interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Proactively develop and identify funding coalitions with a wide range of external partners, expanding the U.S. Democracy Program’s reach and catalyzing greater impact in the field.
• Capitalize on the U.S. Democracy Program’s expertise and strengths, specifically its cross‑ideological approach and focus on long‑term commitment to democratic principles.
• Maintain the ability to attract, retain and develop top talent and create conditions that allow members of the team to do their best work.
• Maintain a strong and successful relationship with Hewlett’s president and serve as a key member of the senior team.
• Develop relationships with other senior staff members and work collectively to advance institutional priorities.
• Identify, anticipate and develop strategies and/or programmatic priorities to address changes in the philanthropic sector, as well as the social, political, legal and economic landscape, which may impact the U.S. Democracy Program, its strategies and its priorities in the near and long term.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated expertise in democracy‑related issues, including a deep understanding of America’s founding principles, national governing institutions, election integrity and the broader landscape of democratic resilience. Proven ability to engage thoughtfully across ideological perspectives, analyze complex policy environments and contribute to advancing democratic principles through strategic, collaborative action.
• Proven ability to articulate a compelling vision, develop and execute strategy, manage and align resources, use data, implement plans with fidelity, identify challenges, assess progress and address gaps to achieve strong results. Capable of adapting to evolving external conditions and maintaining a long‑term perspective on the needs of democratic institutions and the constitutional republic.
• Experience serving as an inspiring and authentic leader, communicator and relationship builder on behalf of an organization; a track record of developing and deploying coalitions for collective action.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, manage and empower internal talent. Capable of working across differences and ensuring that all team members are valued and supported.
• Experience fostering collaboration, driving action and advancing progress within an organization.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences.
• Experience or familiarity with philanthropy and the work of foundations; understands how philanthropy can influence both policy and practice.
• Intellectual agility and the ability to analyze, think critically and work across geographies and cultures with grantee partners, government, private sector, non‑profit and community leaders.
• Exceptional personal and professional integrity, judgment and the highest work standards; brings flexibility, kindness, good humor, high energy, humility and an unwavering commitment to Hewlett’s Guiding Principles.
• Graduate‑level academic degree in a related field.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Provides clear leadership and understanding of the U.S. Democracy Program’s priorities to contribute to the Foundation’s mission, policies, strategies, operations and evolving aspirations.
• Anticipates future challenges and opportunities; works with program officers to illuminate and build awareness of emerging priorities consistent with Hewlett’s principles, systems and approach; and works with the president, senior staff, program staff and other partners to proactively adjust the U.S. Democracy Program’s direction accordingly.
• Balances short‑term decision‑making, while conveying a long‑term vision for how the U.S. Democracy Program’s strategies can evolve to drive greater impact and results.
• Develops strong collaborative relationships with the president and senior staff, ensuring that leadership is aligned to set and achieve the Foundation and U.S. Democracy Program’s priorities.

Collaborating and Influencing

• Articulates a compelling vision for the U.S. Democracy Program, its vision, core purpose and impact effectively and with passion and serves as an authentic and compelling spokesperson for the Foundation.
• Effectively provides external leadership and engages in meaningful dialogue on critical program issues as they intersect with the Foundation’s work, mission and goals.
• Cultivates and builds relationships with current and potential partners across the sector that are central to the U.S. Democracy Program’s strategies, ultimately amplifying the work of the program and elevating the Foundation’s impact.
• Maintains impeccable credibility through strong acumen, visibility and ability to create and maintain strong relationships built on trust and transparency with staff, grantees and partners across a wide range of sectors.

Inclusive Orientation

• Engages, empowers and uplifts a diverse, experienced, motivated and high‑performing team, bringing out each team member’s personal best, while modeling a passion for the Foundation’s mission and the U.S. Democracy Program’s priorities and delegating leadership as appropriate.
• Holds the program area accountable for its commitments, providing clarity, fairness and constructive feedback, and motivates team members to reach their full potential as they achieve organizational goals.
• Builds and sustains a culture in which every member of the team can be supported and empowered in their work. Partners with staff members as they think proactively and boldly about the future.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Intellectually curious, with a love of learning.
• Strong emotional intelligence, integrity and humility; an inclusive team player and confident enough to listen openly to differing views, trust and empower others, make challenging decisions and share credit.
• Readiness to be a visible representative of the U.S. Democracy Program and the Foundation and its priorities to a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to fully embrace living and working in the Bay Area.

COMPENSATION

The estimated annual base salary range for this position is $400,000 to $500,000, but the final base salary will be dependent on the individual’s skills, experience, abilities and qualifications. In addition to the annual salary, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation offers a strong benefits package.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS

If you wish to submit application materials or nominate someone to serve as the next Program Director for U.S. Democracy for the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, please email: View email address on click.appcast.io.

NON‑DISCRIMINATION

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position is based in Menlo Park, California. Staff are working in a hybrid environment, and senior staff currently are expected to live in the San Francisco Bay Area and work from the Hewlett Foundation office at least three times per week when not traveling for business. Travel will vary, but the Program Director should expect frequent domestic travel (at least 15 percent of the time). While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to spend extended periods of time at a computer.