Vice President, Philanthropic Advising

WHO WE ARE

Third Plateau is an impact consultancy partnering with philanthropy, nonprofits, and communities to build the infrastructure of change. We are one of Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators!

Third Plateau is built on a simple premise: creating lasting social good requires more than good intentions. Society’s most complex challenges are deeply rooted, interconnected, and resistant to quick fixes. Philanthropists, foundations, and nonprofit leaders know this and are up for the challenge, bringing their passions and ambitions day in and day out. To realize that potential, they’re looking for a partner who brings the experience to design great strategies and the capacity to see them through.

Third Plateau was built exactly for this work. Interested applicants are encouraged to learn more about our approach and our company values.

The Vice President will lead and develop Third Plateau’s high-performing Philanthropic Advising department, contribute to the growth and evolution of the team, cultivate new business, and oversee a select portfolio of client relationships and engagements. This person will bring both the perspective of a seasoned philanthropic advisor and the leadership skills to develop people and create the conditions for excellent work.

• Philanthropic Advising Department Leadership
  • Provide strategic day-to-day leadership for the Philanthropic Advising team, creating conditions for a cohesive, connected, high-performing, and thriving department.
  • Build a strong department culture and operating structure that fosters connection, collaboration, learning, and shared accountability.
  • Directly supervise and develop team members, as appropriate, providing coaching, feedback, and support for their professional growth.
  • Serve as a trusted resource to team members, helping navigate complex client and project challenges.
  • Help determine staffing, resource allocation, and team structures to ensure client needs and organizational priorities are appropriately supported.
  • Ensure the department has the clarity, tools, processes, and resources needed to operate effectively.
  • Identify emerging needs and opportunities within the philanthropic landscape and help evolve our approach and processes to meet these shifts.
  • Serve as a member of the Nonprofits & Philanthropy Division Leadership Team – the division where the Philanthropic Advising department is located – and partner closely with other department and divisional leaders to coordinate priorities, staffing, culture, and operations.
• Learning and Practice Development
  • Develop and advance a clear vision for the philanthropy department in partnership with division and firm leadership.
  • Bring a sophisticated understanding of philanthropy, emerging trends, community needs, and effective approaches to client work.
  • Foster shared learning across the department and ensure the team is informed by emerging philanthropic trends, research, and promising practices.
  • Cultivate a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning within the Philanthropic Advising department.
  • Contribute to thought leadership and other external-facing opportunities that strengthen Third Plateau’s perspective and reputation in the philanthropic field.
• Client Relationships and Engagements
  • Support relationship management for a select portfolio of philanthropic clients, building deep, trusting relationships with individuals, families, foundations, and other philanthropic institutions.
  • Lead select engagements and provide strategic counsel on philanthropic strategy, program development, and opportunities for impact, ensuring engagements are well-designed, appropriately resourced,…