Senior Director, Programs & Implementation

Background

DAI works at the cutting edge of international and US-based development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including economic development, private sector development and financial services, digital development, democratic governance and public sector management, economics and trade, and energy and climate change among other sectors. Clients include private corporations and foundations, international development agencies, international lending institutions, and host-country governments.

Summary

DAI seeks a Senior Director, Programs & Implementation, for the flagship Mastercard Strive USA program. The Strive USA program aims to become a national platform and movement that helps underserved small businesses throughout the United States grow and become more resilient The Strive USA program brings together community financial institutions (CFIs), business support organizations (BSOs), technology platforms, policymakers, and the media with the goal of providing underserved small businesses with better access to capital, digital tools, and networks and know-how that will help them grow and build resilience. Over the next five years, leveraging historic federal funding, Strive USA aims to provide support to five million small businesses in the U.S. For more information see: https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/business/overview/striveusa.html .

Strive is led by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth ( CFIG). CFIG advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world and administers the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund to produce independent research, scalable global programs and an empowered community of thinkers, leaders and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth.

This is a full-time position based in Bethesda, Maryland or remote.

Responsibilities

The Senior Director, Programs & Implementation will be responsible for the technical leadership, implementation plan, strategic direction and client management of the project.  They will oversee the long-term staff and short-term experts in achieving project results.  They will be responsible for making sure Strive USA’s grants and activities are executed efficiently and with technical excellence, reporting to Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth’s Vice President for North America. Other responsibilities include:

• Lead the DAI team’s execution of the strategic roadmap for successful implementation of the Mastercard Strive USA program, aligning it with the program’s overall vision and objectives.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including community financial institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other relevant entities, to drive collaboration and ensure program success.
• Source and establish strong partnerships with industry leaders in the community financial institution and small business ecosystem to drive collaboration and ensure program success.
• Provide world class client engagement anticipating and responding to client’s needs
• Support the design of grant activities, programs, and partnerships
• Provide strategic, technical and intellectual direction and leadership
• Provide overall leadership and supervision of all staff, consultants, subcontractors and sub-grantees in achieving project results.
• Offer direction and support for successful implementation by the core team (Senior Managers for the Grants, Communications and Learning workstreams)
• Oversee project administration, implementation, and financial management to ensure project implementation aligns with budget allocations and DAI internal policies.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting to the client on all program areas; and
• Coordinate program activities with other client-funded programs.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in program and a college degree – including at least 5 years of experience serving in leadership positions for similar programs with technical, client engagement and impact measurement responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to mix innovative thinking with strong program execution.
• Experience managing multiple grants and grantees.
• Experience overseeing program monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and communications.
• Experience building and managing dynamic, flexible teams.
• Experience building relationships and engaging across multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with strategic partnership-building / coalition-building.

Preferred, but not required:

• A Master’s degree in political or social science, law, public/business administration, or related field.
• Technical expertise in the U.S. digital economy with a focus on supporting small businesses.
• Experience working with or for community development financial institutions (CDFIs), CFIs, and/or other small business lending institutions.
• Experience leading / managing corporate-funded social impact programs
• Understanding of and/or engaging in national-level policy discussions in the CFI / small business ecosystem space, a plus

Compensation and Benefits

For employees working the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $155,000 to $180,000. Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S. based employees, will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, parental leave; as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI requires COVID-19 vaccinations subject to accommodation required by law.

How to Apply

https://phf.tbe.taleo.net/phf04/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=DAINC&cws=48&rid=8064