Summary
Description
Who We Are
The Buell Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to supporting the positive development of young children across Colorado through strategic grantmaking and partnerships with nonprofits, government, and communities. Our team of 15 is collaborative, mission-driven, and committed to both continuous improvement and lasting impact. We believe in the power of strategic philanthropy guided by clear values, a defined focus, and deep relationships with the communities we serve. As we implement our strategic framework, we’re working to ensure that all children in Colorado have the opportunity to thrive.
The Opportunity
We’re seeking a Director of Programs who will serve as a key leader and steward for our philanthropic work. This role sits where strategy and execution come together—someone who will bring stability and consistency to our team through thoughtful processes, adherence to best practices, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
As Director of Programs, you’ll provide leadership and oversight across our responsive grantmaking, grant management, and evaluation functions while building a trusting, high-performing, inclusive team culture. Your work will be integral to implementing our strategic framework, ensuring that our grantmaking activities align with our mission and values and create meaningful impact for children and families across Colorado.
You’ll be a thought partner to our Vice President of Programs and a member of our Programs Leadership Team, contributing to strategic discussions about where and how the Foundation can make its greatest impact. In this role you will engage with all functional areas of the Foundation and partner with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure effective implementation of our strategic framework.
Who You Are
You are a professional who:
- Sees the big picture while ensuring excellence in the details—you can hold strategic vision and operational rigor simultaneously
- Leads with a coaching approach, investing in your team’s growth while maintaining high standards for quality and consistency
- Builds bridges between programs, operations, and finance.
- Brings intellectual curiosity to philanthropy, staying current on best practices and thinking creatively about emerging issues in the field
- Approaches work with flexibility and a growth mindset, seeing change as opportunity rather than an obstacle
- Believes that evaluation and continuous improvement are tools to maximize philanthropic impact
- Navigates relationships with awareness, diplomacy, and integrity
What You’ll Do
Lead and Develop a Team: Supervise and coach a team of program and grants management professionals. Foster a culture of trust, excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning. Provide meaningful feedback, conduct performance evaluations, and support professional development.
Ensure Grantmaking Excellence: Oversee responsive grantmaking processes, ensuring consistency in grant review, due diligence, and alignment with Foundation priorities. Direct the preparation of materials for Board of Trustees review and maintain deep knowledge of funding areas and best practices.
Oversee Grants Management: Ensure high standards in grants management, including accurate contracting, timely payments, budget management, and utilization of our grants management system.
Provide Leadership: Oversee the Foundation’s responsive grantmaking activities as a member of the Programs Leadership Team. Support the implementation of our strategic framework and identify opportunities for philanthropic investment. Serve as a thought partner to executive leadership on cross-functional initiatives.
Measure Impact Through Evaluation: Develop and implement evaluation plans to assess Foundation performance and progress toward our strategic goals. Analyze findings, identify opportunities for improvement, and coordinate internal conversations to inform recommendations and decisions.
Cultivate Relationships: Build and maintain relationships with grantees, stakeholders, and partners. Represent the Foundation professionally in various settings, embodying our values in every interaction.
What You Bring
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- 7+ years of foundation, nonprofit, business, or related experience with increasing responsibility
- 5+ years of directly supervising professional staff with diverse perspectives and work styles
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate grant proposals and nonprofit financials
- Proficiency with technology platforms including Microsoft 365 and data management systems
- Experience working in team-oriented, mission-driven environments
Preferred:
- Budget creation and management experience
- Familiarity with Colorado and its diverse communities (rural, resort, newcomer, non-English speaking populations)
- Project management experience
- Knowledge of early childhood development field
The Details
The Director of Programs is a full-time, exempt position in the Foundation’s Denver, CO office.
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with occasional evening/weekend work. This position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule of at least three days in-office (Tuesday-Thursday required) and up to two days remote after completion of initial onboarding.
Travel: Occasional travel required (typically fewer than 3 days per trip)
Reports To: Vice President of Programs
The starting salary range for this position is $128K to $165K per year commensurate with experience. This position is eligible for the Foundation’s employee benefit package. Benefits include paid time off, retirement (403(b)) matching contribution, and medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
For a detailed position description, click here.
Ready to Join Us?
If this resonates with who you are and what you want to do in your career, we’d love to hear from you.
All applications should be emailed to Erica Fukuhara’s attention at info@buellfoundation.org. Please include “Director of Programs Application” in the subject line of emails. Applications should include a cover letter and resume. No phone calls or additional emails please.
All applicants will receive an acknowledgement that their application has been received. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted to schedule interviews, at which time references will be requested.
Closing date: Priority consideration will be given to applications received by January 31, 2026. This posting will remain open until the position is filled.
The Buell Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our staff, grantees, beneficiaries, and vendors. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender, gender expression, age, disability, marital status, and sexual orientation in any of its activities, the administration of its grants, or employment practices. The Foundation’s policy is to maintain an environment free of unlawful discrimination and to comply with all applicable national, state, and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.
