POSITION DESCRIPTION
ROY AND PATRICIA DISNEY FAMILY FOUNDATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Los Angeles, CA
February 6, 2014
The Opportunity
The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation is seeking to hire its first Executive Director who
will work in partnership with the board on all aspects of launching and running the next phase
of strategic growth and development for this family foundation.
The Foundation was established in 1969 by Roy and Edna Disney, and until now has operated as
a small family foundation without professional staff. Recently, the Foundation received a large
bequest following the death of Patricia Disney, raising the assets of the Foundation to
approximately $110 million. The Foundation is now scaling up and redefining its mission to
determine where and how it can add the most value. The board is comprised of Roy and
Patricia’s children, their spouses and grandchildren, all of whom are thankful to have this
opportunity to create this philanthropic legacy honoring their parents and grandparents.
The first priority in this start-up effort will be for the Executive Director to guide the board
through a comprehensive vision and strategic planning process to articulate the foundation’s
new mission and focus areas, and determine strategies and approaches to advance the board’s
philanthropic vision. The board wants to engage in grantmaking and partnership work that has
maximum impact, makes a difference in the world, provides leadership, and leverages the
family’s philanthropic assets.
The Executive Director will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of the
foundation which includes developing a strategic plan in collaboration with the board,
educating and mentoring board members with particular attention to the younger generation,
launching and managing initial grantmaking programs, identifying and leading partnership
activities, managing day-to-day operations, representing the foundation externally, and helping
grantees and the board measure and evaluate success
The ideal candidate will be dynamic, diplomatic, entrepreneurial and seasoned, with a proven
ability to guide a mission-focused organization from a start-up into a high-functioning family
foundation committed to best practices. The Executive Director must be comfortable working
very closely with a board in a “hands-on” way, have excellent planning, facilitation,
interpersonal and communication skills, and a track record of organizational leadership and
management. The Executive Director will report to the board and partner with the president of
the board to ensure strong governance.
Key Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of the new Executive Director will include:

Strategic Planning/Visioning. Lead the board in a comprehensive, inclusive and creative
strategic planning/visioning process that will clarify the philanthropic focus area/s,
strategies, goals and evaluation measures.

Philanthropic Educator/Mentor. Provide education, guidance, training and information on
best practices in family philanthropy, governance and board roles and responsibilities.
Educate and mentor the newer generation of philanthropists on the board.

Board Relations/Governance. Develop strong, positive working relationships with the
board. Work in collaboration with the board in defining and developing the Foundation’s
guiding frameworks. Work with the board to determine the most effective governance
structures

Programs and Grantmaking. Create and administer grant making programs, policies and
procedures that fulfill the mission of the Foundation. Engage in ongoing research and
information gathering to ensure the Foundation is making plans about the present and
future, understanding and anticipating changes in the landscape particularly in key focus
areas. Assess and recommend program ideas and opportunities that align with the mission
as well as strategies to achieve them, engaging the board along the way.

Partner/Grantee Relations. Develop and maintain strong, positive working relationships
with partner/grantee organizations. Develop ways to evaluate the effectiveness of the
Foundation’s grantmaking and report back to the board.

Budgeting and Fiscal Oversight. Work in partnership with the family office in all matters
related to finance and administration. Develop and recommend an annual operating plan
and budget to board.

Internal Communications. Frame issues for board discussion and decision-making
effectively. Develop effective communications protocols. Keep the board regularly
informed of progress, developments and significant events.
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
External Relations. Develop and maintain constructive relationships and strategic
partnerships with key stakeholders. Serve as an ambassador for the Foundation.
Communicate effectively through various channels about the Foundation’s mission and
purpose alongside, and in coordination with, family members.

Results and Impact. Develop ways to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the
Foundation’s grantmaking to inform decision-making and also as a tool for board reporting.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will bring:

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience.

A sophisticated understanding of philanthropy, a track record as a creative, impactful
grantmaker, and a demonstrated commitment to and passion for the value of family
philanthropy. Prior experience working in a foundation highly preferable.

A track record as a dynamic, diplomatic, mature, seasoned leader with the ability to inspire,
energize, engage and direct all work toward the Foundation’s goals and objectives.

Excellent people skills and the ability to cultivate strong relationships and work successfully
in partnership with a board.

Experience starting and running an organization strongly preferred. Entrepreneurial drive
and the ability to seek out and bring innovative ideas and opportunities to the attention of
the President and the board.

Highly skilled in group facilitation and the ability to work in an engaged, creative and
intimate way with the board on philanthropic education, visioning, prioritizing and decisionmaking. Understand the dynamics of working with a family foundation comprised of
different generations of philanthropists. The ability to be responsive and accessible to
requests for advice, counsel and guidance from board members.

Demonstrated successful experience with planning, budget development and
administration.
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
Highly capable writer and articulate, inspiring public speaker. Ability to write succinctly and
coherently in a manner that facilitates board discussion and decision-making.

Motivated, organized, efficient self-starter who is able to work well independently.

A demonstrated track record as a strategic thinker with an equal track record of getting
things done and attention to detail.

A reputation for being a mature, seasoned professional with excellent judgment and open
to feedback and the opinions and ideas of others.

Impeccable reputation for integrity and judgment, models ethics and trustworthiness in all
actions, and able to maintain confidentiality and discretion.

Demonstrated work style that is humble and flexible, a low need for public recognition, and
a high need to focus on the “work.”
Application Process
Interested applicants should send a resume, cover and salary information by email to:
Martha Montag Brown & Associates, LLC
www.marthamontagbrown.com
Email: Martha@marthamontagbrown.com
Phone: 818.790.8873
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