Working under the direction of the VP, Impact Areas, the Adviser, Impact Areas will pursue poverty and isolation alleviation goals with entrepreneurial zeal, business methods, and the courage to innovate and overcome traditional practices to scaling solutions. The Advisor, Impact Areas will provide daily operational support and be a strategic advisor on a portfolio of programs associated with the impact areas of Hunger, Income, Housing and Isolation. The Advisor, Impact Areas will work in concert with Social Entrepreneurs, Program Managers, and Analysts across the AARP Foundation (including in Development, Communications, Evaluation, Technology, Litigation and Innovation) to identify, scale, and integrate solutions to the biggest challenges facing the low income 50+ and their families.
The Advisor, Impact Areas will be responsible for:
- 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 isolation and social connection and the related negative health outcomes
- Continuously refining and adapting approaches in response to feedback, research and insights
This position is responsible for supporting an integrated portfolio of work, from new ideas and concepts in the innovation pipeline to more mature 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+.
- Serving as a key advisor on scaling effective solutions
- Exhibiting a heightened sense of accountability to the constituencies served and for the outcomes created.
- Mission-driven commitment to building solutions that ensure the essentials 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
- 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 being an integral part of a high performing team
The role requires a strong ability to work well at an inter-personal level in order to champion innovation in the Foundation. The role also involves a strong analytical component, requiring the ability to repeatedly review, critique, upgrade and provide constructive feedback on new and existing initiatives and opportunities. This position will have a very high impact on AARP Foundation’s ability to execute its strategy and reach both its short and longer term goals.
- 4+ years of job related experience. Graduate degree preferred.
- 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
- Excellent communication skills both oral and written; ability to produce high quality reports and presentations
- 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
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.