job opportunity

Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Next50, a private foundation, is seeking a Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives to play a key role in advancing our grantmaking, community engagement, and learning efforts.

Please read the job description below, and if your experience aligns with our requirements, please complete the required application form linked below by January 31, 2026. Applications submitted via email will not be reviewed.

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Job Description

Title: Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Reports to: Director, Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives

FLSA Status: Exempt (full-time)

Job Classification: Senior Manager

Work Environment: Remote-first, with occasional in-person meetings and events in the Denver metro area.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives (SMSI) will report to the Director, Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives. The SMSI will be responsible for leading Next50’s strategic partnership agenda and will establish and deepen strategic relationships with leaders in aging, including nonprofit, private, and public sectors, to advance Next50’s mission. The SMSI will demonstrate a strong understanding of the strategic priorities of Next50 and be able to express them clearly to grantees, community partners, and interested stakeholders. This position will serve on the Strategic Initiatives Unit of the Impact Team, support Next50’s community engagement, grantmaking, partnership building, and advocacy approach, and be responsible for deploying Next50’s community engagement.

This position will work collaboratively with other Next50 impact team staff to develop guidelines, applications, and reporting requirements for grants and will champion procedures that ensure that equity and community input are central to grant opportunities. In addition, the SMSI will work with the impact team to support the development and successful execution of Next50’s other funding areas.

The SMSI will maintain a portfolio that includes Next50’s philanthropic and sponsorship investments in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan. To help meet Next50’s goals and ensure our investments fully reflect communities’ needs and voices, the SMSI will build authentic relationships with communities that Next50 serves or hopes to serve, resulting in increased community awareness and impact of Next50.

All roles within the organization are subject to modification without a change in the written position description. The responsibilities written below express the major accountabilities of the position but may not include all activities that will be coordinated or executed by the role.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Development and Administration

Develop and execute Next50’s strategic initiatives framework in partnership with the Director of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives.

Leads the development and management of strategic partnerships with national, state, and non-traditional partners that may or may not involve grantmaking.  

Develop a pipeline of grants and sponsorships, identifying and cultivating relationships with organizations and initiatives that fit with Next50 priorities, including finding innovative or unconventional ideas from non-traditional sources.

Work with Next50 staff to develop guidelines, applications, reporting requirements, processes, and procedures for funding opportunities.

Review grant applications submitted for consideration; make site visits, as appropriate; prepare written summaries and analysis documents of grant applications to aid in evaluating and making awards.

Develop and present funding recommendations to the grant review team and executive staff.

Manage grants and sponsorships with responsibility for guiding the administration and reporting process and providing strategic support to nonprofit partners.

Communicate with grant applicants and grantees and serve as the foundation’s principal contact with assigned grantees.

Community Engagement

Create and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with grantees and community partners that bring community input and guidance to Next50’s efforts.

Offer strategic guidance and direction to organizations that share alignment with Next50’s mission and goals.  

Track and analyze new or evolving community trends that align with Next50’s priorities, with a particular focus on underrepresented geographic areas of the US in Next50’s portfolio and mission-aligned communities.

Represents Next50 at conferences and external meetings relevant to the community engagement plan and the foundation’s priorities.

Work within communities to understand trends, needs, and values of the aging community as a whole, as well as unique and diverse groups within the community. May include some travel.

Identify and pursue opportunities to further the community’s aging agenda through a variety of methods beyond grant making, such as convening, technical assistance, serving on committees and task forces, etc.

Keep current on aging issues and develop field expertise through literature review, contact with social and professional communities, and participation in relevant conferences.

Learning and Evaluation

Evaluate grant applications, including performing due diligence and budget reviews in collaboration with the strategic operations department/finance team.

Collaborate actively with nonprofit grantees on progress, successes, and challenges to be a resource for progress and impact.

Contribute insight and content, as needed, to the foundation’s publications, external communications, and marketing.

Provide support, when requested, for all foundation activities and complete special projects and assignments as needed.

A Qualified Candidate will have:

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, nonprofit management, gerontology, or equivalent. Master’s degree preferred

Minimum of 5 years’ experience working within or with the nonprofit sector, including experience with grants.

Expertise in aging, including strengths and systemic barriers to aging in the US, how intersectional identities affect aging, and an understanding of resources and programs available to older adults in the US.

Experience in social and economic issues impacting aging.

Understanding of philanthropy’s roles in the community.

Demonstrated ability to center equity in all aspects of work.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Demonstrated skills in organizing, analyzing, presenting data, reaching conclusions, and developing recommendations.

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals and organization representatives.

Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; proven ability to be flexible in a team-oriented approach with diverse groups of people.

Knowledge and ability to express and measure program and impact evaluation.

Proactive self-starter: able to prioritize work assignments, manage multiple deadlines, and represent the Foundation in any given environment.

Ability to contribute to a positive, productive, open, and supportive environment that motivates everyone to perform at their best.

Demonstrated ability to adapt to a changing field/environment.

An effective communicator with strong oral and written skills, including meticulous attention to detail.

Commitment to Next50’s mission and core values of equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills.

Excellent organizational skills.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range is $110,000 – 135,000, depending on experience. Next50 provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance. We cover 85% of the health insurance premium cost for eligible employees and 70% of the cost for dependents. In addition, Next50 offers employer-paid life and disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and an employee assistance program. Our employer-matched 403b retirement plan includes a 3% safe harbor contribution for all employees as well as a 3% matching contribution, both immediately vesting at 100%. We also place a high priority on work/life balance and encourage time away from work by offering 11 paid holidays per year, AND the office is closed between Christmas and New Year’s. In addition, a generous paid time off policy with the ability to accrue 25 days per year as a new hire.

At-Will Employment Statement: Employment with Next50 is at-will. Nothing in this job description constitutes a contract or guarantee of continued employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Next50 is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

How to Apply

To be considered, applicants must complete the required application form linked below by January 31, 2026. Applications submitted via email will not be reviewed.