Executive Vice President

About Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is a leading national philanthropy based in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1972, the foundation focuses on public health issues, developing and promoting innovations to improve health and healthcare for millions of people. Guided by principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion, RWJF works to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health, aiming to achieve health equity faster. The foundation collaborates with communities, practitioners, and institutions, actively shaping health policy and evidence-building initiatives. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment, committed to fostering an inclusive, antiracist organization where staff members can thrive while making a meaningful impact on health equity.

About this Role

The Executive Vice President (EVP) at RWJF is a critical leadership role responsible for strategic planning, program development, and policy advocacy. The EVP will work closely with senior staff, trustees, and external partners to design and implement programs that drive systemic change. The role requires a profound understanding of public health issues, strong leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate across sectors. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the EVP will lead the Program unit’s Strategic Framework and strategies, ensuring alignment with the foundation’s broader transformation goals focused on racial equity, purpose, and brand. This position involves overseeing the Program unit’s key functions, including Communications, Grants Management, Policy, Research-Evaluation-Learning, New Jersey, Strategic Portfolios, and Impact Investments. The EVP will establish strategic objectives, manage human and financial resources, and maintain external leadership and partnerships to leverage current and future programs for the foundation’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Establish strategic objectives and manage resources to achieve them.
• Integrate the Program unit’s work for optimal coordination and output within the foundation.
• Maintain leadership and partnerships in the field, seeking ways to leverage current programs and investments.
• Drive strategic initiatives and foster a high-performance culture focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Participate in cross-functional decision-making and steward resources responsibly.
• Serve as primary advisor to the President/CEO and the Board of Trustees on programmatic issues.
• Oversee the implementation, evaluation, and refinement of the foundation’s strategic frameworks and principles.
• Represent RWJF externally to uphold and leverage the foundation’s reputation and advance health equity.
• Build external relationships with collaborators and strategic partners to inform and advance the foundation’s work.
• Guide, inspire, evaluate, mentor, and develop Program unit leadership and staff.
• Manage multiple large-scale budgets across the Program unit, ensuring alignment with financial goals.
• Approve grants up to $3 million in accordance with foundation policies.

Requirements

• Deep knowledge in health equity, structural racism, and social determinants of health.
• Experience in leveraging data, evidence, narrative, leadership, and policy to improve health.
• Proven leadership and strategic thinking skills with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Strong emotional intelligence, communication, and people-management skills.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and transparent working environment.
• Familiarity with philanthropy and the role of philanthropy in social change.
• Graduate degree or higher in a relevant health field.

Benefits

• Collaborative work environment.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Participation in innovative health equity initiatives.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.