Executive Director

About the Whiting Foundation

Established in 1971 by Flora Ettlinger Whiting, the Whiting Foundation is committed to recognizing and supporting talented individuals at pivotal moments in their creative and intellectual journeys to generate meaningful societal impact. As a New York-based private nonprofit organization, the Foundation champions literature and the humanities, providing support to writers, editors, educators, librarians, and archivists who safeguard our cultural heritage. By fostering new creative endeavors and broadening access to art and knowledge, the Foundation envisions a world where everyone engages deeply with literature and the humanities.

The Foundation's grant programs include:

• In Literature: The Whiting Award annually honors early-career fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama writers who have since earned prestigious recognitions such as the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and MacArthur fellowships. Highlights include past recipients like Colson Whitehead and Tracy K. Smith.
• Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant: Supports ambitious mid-stage book projects under contract with North American and UK publishers, fostering works that achieve high standards of excellence.
• In the Humanities: Grants for Cultural Heritage Preservation help protect endangered documentary heritage worldwide, focusing on manuscripts, inscriptions, and archives. High-School Humanities grants encourage students' engagement with history, philosophy, literature, and arts to build foundational cultural literacy.

Funded entirely through an endowment of approximately $75 million, the Whiting Foundation also serves as a collaborator and leader within the philanthropic community supporting cultural preservation and literary arts.

Position Overview

The Executive Director functions as the chief professional officer reporting directly to the five-member Board of Trustees. The role encompasses: partnering with the Board and its committees to provide necessary support and ensure effective implementation of decisions; directing all Foundation programs, including events, awards, and grants; overseeing event planning for two key annual literary celebrations; and managing organizational administration including finance, HR, legal, and communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate coordination and decision-making among the Board and committees, ensuring comprehensive information flow and thoughtful partnerships.
• Lead program management for literary awards and humanities grants, supporting selection processes and maintaining ethical standards.
• Plan and oversee major events such as the Whiting Awards and nonfiction grant celebrations.
• Maintain optimal operational and financial health via collaboration with accounting, auditing, legal, and communications partners.
• Explore new strategic directions to increase impact and advance readership and authorship.
• Cultivate partnerships nationally and internationally with funders, organizations, and stakeholders.
• Develop accountability frameworks to assess long-term effectiveness.
• Serve as the Foundation’s public representative, fostering engagement with diverse audiences.

Professional Qualifications

• At least a decade of senior management experience combined with an advanced degree in a related field.
• Proven success designing and managing innovative programs within humanities, grantmaking, or nonprofit environments.
• In-depth knowledge of overseeing grant administration meeting stringent legal, ethical, and fiduciary standards.
• Background in literary, humanities, or cultural preservation work with effective program and award management.
• Strong public representation skills engaging grantees, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Collaborative leadership experience with small to medium teams, skilled in uniting people and ideas.
• Competency in strategic planning, organizational management, budgeting, and resource coordination.
• Leadership style fostering creativity, collaboration, accountability, and open communication.

Personal Attributes

• Genuine passion for humanities, cultural preservation, and literary arts.
• Inclusive approach that promotes teamwork and recognizes achievements.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong listening, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Independent judgment and initiative-taking ability.
• Disciplined, resourceful, results-focused, and resilient self-starter.
• Adaptability and innovative mindset in business planning.
• Integrity, positivity, and mission-driven attitude.
• Proficiency in board relations and capacity to nurture board connections.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Awareness of global trends affecting humanities and cultural program activities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Whiting Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and non-discrimination across ethnicity, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and other protected statuses.