Business Unit Description

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world's largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin.

AARP Foundation is AARP's 501 c3 charitable affiliate. We are a public charity with revenue from federal agencies, corporations, foundations and individuals. AARP Foundation's vision is a country free of poverty where no older person feels vulnerable. Staff are located in Washington DC and throughout the US.

Every year, AARP Foundation helps millions of struggling older adults 50 and over win back opportunity by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face each day. Through the Foundation's many groundbreaking and innovative programs and services, we create and advance effective solutions to meet their basic needs for nutritious food, safe and affordable housing, adequate income and much-needed personal connections.

Summary

Working under the direction of the VP, Foundation Impact Areas, the Director will pursue poverty and income insecurity and alleviation goals and economic opportunity solutions for LI 50+ individuals with entrepreneurial zeal, business methods, and the courage to innovate and overcome traditional practices. In this role, the Director will own the strategic objectives agreed to by the Leadership of the AARP Foundation. In addition, the Director will work as a consultant to other Directors, Impact Areas - and the VP of Impact Areas - to identify and execute on strategies to scale new innovations.

Responsibilities

Supporting the achievement of large scale, systemic and sustainable social change through new innovations, a different approach, a more rigorous application of known technologies or strategies, or a combination of these.

Innovating by finding new products, new services, or new approaches to social problems particularly focused on financial inclusion and microenterprise

Continuously refining and adapting approaches in response to feedback, research and insights

Contributing to ensuring sufficiency of new initiatives in the Foundation's innovation pipeline each year to meet the Foundation's annual innovation goals.

Contributing to ensuring scale of new initiatives that have graduated from the Foundation's innovation pipeline each year to meet the Foundation's strategic objectives.

Supporting the achievement of program sustainability by developing strategy, and recommending business models to achieve sustainability.

This position is responsible for a complex portfolio of work from new ideas and concepts in the innovation pipeline to multi-million dollar federal grant programs in multiple states and involving multiple partners - including for-profit and non-profit stakeholders. This position requires a commitment to the Foundation's strategy of continuously developing social innovations that increase our ability to provide practical and scalable solutions to the needs of the low-income 50+. The Director will exercise a strong degree of autonomy in this role and be responsible for the results.

Exhibiting a heightened sense of accountability to the constituencies served and for the outcomes created.

Mission-driven commitment to building income security for low income older adults and the power of innovation to drive social impact.

Proven experience of managing relationships in and across complex organizations

Knowledge of and experience in developing shared value and collective impact with multiple stakeholders

Continually understand the issues facing the low income 50+ to drive strategic differentiation and partnerships.

The drive to work in cross functional teams and to engage different units across the Foundation and AARP enterprise to drive innovation to achieve AARP Foundation's mission.

Focus on building a high performing team

As a people manager, this position is expected to develop and exhibit our AARP leadership behaviors and competencies, as well as fully participate in all management training initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business, science, technology, health or social entrepreneurship. MBA or JD preferred.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in social entrepreneurship, social enterprise development. Evidence of building a social enterprise strongly preferred
• Experience in scaling solutions through various pathways
• Excellent business judgment, a familiarity with a wide variety of business models both in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, and the ability to see the potential application of these models in the context of social innovation
• Demonstrated experience managing teams and ability to lead, coach, inspire and grow the team as resources allow
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written; ability to produce high quality reports and presentations
• Well-networked in the entrepreneurial, social-entrepreneurship fields with an ability to engage these resources to assist the Foundation in its mission
• Strong familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative research and analysis as well as quantifying return on investment
• A preference to take responsibility, manage multiple projects at once, and deliver professional work-product promptly and on-deadline
• Highly self-motivated

Benefits Offered

AARP offers competitive benefits with a 401K, 100% company funded pension plan, health, dental, vision and life insurance, STD/LTD, paid vacation and sick, and other benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.