Organizational Effectiveness Manager

About W.K. Kellogg Foundation

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports children, families, and communities as they strengthen and create conditions so all children can achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Upon establishing the foundation in 1930, breakfast cereal innovator W.K. Kellogg instructed future trustees and staff to “Use the money as you please so long as it promotes the health, happiness and well-being of children.” To this day, the foundation envisions, and works toward, a nation that marshals its resource to assure that all children have an equitable and promising future – a nation in which all children thrive.

To advance this mission, the foundation implements an array of change-making tools – grantmaking, impact investing, communications, contracting, networking, and convenings – and uses an innovative matrixed organizational design to prioritize investment decisions and maximize effectiveness toward achieving the desired ends and improvements for children and their families. A commitment to racial equity, community engagement and leadership development is woven into each endeavor as essential to the creation of a social context in which all children can thrive. Their grant-making focuses on education and learning; food, health, and well-being; and family economic security.

The overall work of the foundation is guided by the following values: 

• We believe in helping people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations.
• We believe all people have the inherent capacity to effect change in their lives, in their organization, and in their communities. We respect individuals and value their collective interests, strengths, and cultures.
• We believe stewardship requires fidelity to the spirit and to the intent of the founder and the wide use of resources. We believe in being responsible, prudent, selfless, and exercising good judgment.
• We believe innovation of thought and action leads to enduring and positive change in both formal and informal systems.
• We value integrity of purpose and action, and believe it is essential to all of our affairs.

This is a powerful time to be on the front lines of innovative philanthropy and we hope you’ll consider joining us! To learn more about the foundation, please visit www.wkkf.org and everychildthrives.com.

The Opportunity

The Organizational Effectiveness Manager (OEM) provides coordination and leadership support to project related activities across the foundation. This role is responsible for managing and tracking projects, obtaining and analyzing reports, and collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and partnerships. The OEM plays a key role in supporting business process improvement efforts, facilitating collaboration across departments, and ensuring smooth project execution and supports the foundation’s efforts to drive process optimization, internal coordination, and continuous improvement.

Specifically, an Organizational Effectiveness Manager has the following responsibilities: 

Project and Process Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations and coordination of initiatives within the Organizational Effectiveness (OE) team.
• Support process optimization and business process improvement efforts across core foundation functions.
• Collaborate with foundation-wide process owners, providing coordination, facilitation, and project team management.
• Provide support to enterprise project management functions within the team.
• Assist with budget planning, tracking, and monitoring, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• Conduct and share relevant research, leading practices, and methodologies to inform continuous improvement efforts.

Internal Communications and Staff Engagement

• Work closely with the communications team to develop and implement internal communication strategies that:
  1. Provide staff with clear and consistent messaging on OE initiatives.
  2. Identify opportunities for involvement and highlight successes.
  3. Ensure understanding of and alignment with organizational priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Actively develop and manage relationships with key internal staff and external stakeholders.
• Facilitate integration of process improvement efforts with core foundation functions, including Programming, Talent and HR, and Technology & Integrated Experiences.
• Build and cultivate relationships with staff to foster cross-functional collaboration and alignment.
• Facilitate linkages, partnerships, and engagement with external process improvement partners, effectiveness organizations, and vendors.

Vendor and Contract Management

• Work with Grant and Contract Services to negotiate and manage vendor contracts, ensuring alignment with foundation priorities.
• Communicate expectations, monitor progress, and ensure accountability for value-added outcomes.
• Provide authorization on behalf of senior leadership, as appropriate, to facilitate the flow of work.

Coaching, Facilitation & Learning

• Provide coaching and mentorship to individuals, teams, and leaders, enhancing organizational effectiveness.
• Lead training sessions, team workshops, and one-on-one coaching to build change resilience and capability.
• Foster an environment of psychological safety, continuous learning, and innovation.
• Design and administer surveys, assessments, and feedback mechanisms to gather insights and drive meaningful change.

Other Duties

• Perform special projects and additional duties as assigned to support OE objectives.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Education/ Experience  

• Bachelor’s degree in management, organizational development, industrial/organizational psychology, or a related field.
• Five to seven years of experience leading or supporting teams focused on organizational effectiveness, project coordination, or business process improvement.
• Experience with project management and business process improvement strategies and tools (Lean, Six Sigma, Agile) preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple change initiatives and influence across a complex organization.
• Experience working with diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds in a global or multicultural environment.

Organizational Effectiveness Officer Core Competencies Leadership

• Results-oriented; able to take concepts and ideas from strategy to implementation.
• Strong team building, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, anticipate needs, and proactively address challenges.
• Capacity to apply skills and knowledge to unique and varied situations.

Interpersonal and Communication

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Highly developed customer service mindset, ensuring responsiveness and resourcefulness.
• Ability to interact effectively with internal staff at all levels and external partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a high level of tact and discretion.
• Ability to adapt to ambiguity and rapid organizational changes.

Technical and Analytical

• Strong project management skills, ensuring timely execution of initiatives.
• Ability to quickly develop an understanding of foundation programs, strategies, and initiatives.
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and present data-driven insights.
• Innovative mindset, with a willingness to explore new approaches to solving challenges.
• Ability to conduct research, synthesize findings, and communicate insights effectively.

Core Capabilities

• Building networks – Develops, maintains, and leverages strategic relationships to support organizational goals.
• Negotiation skills – Effectively negotiates and influences stakeholders while balancing competing interests.
• Political savvy – Understands organizational dynamics and can navigate complexity effectively.
• Coaching and mentorship – Empowers and supports teams, fostering a culture of learning and growth.
• Adaptability and resilience – Thrives in ambiguous, fast-paced environments, adjusting strategies as needed.
• Diversity and inclusion mindset – Actively engages diverse perspectives, fostering an inclusive organizational culture.
• Operational excellence – Identifies and implements process improvements that enhance efficiency.
• Influencing and persuasion – Gains commitment and mobilizes stakeholders without relying on authority.
• Leadership presence – Confident and empathetic communicator, able to engage and inspire teams.

Desired Qualities and Characteristics

• Strong alignment with WKKF’s values and DNA
• Demonstrates intercultural competence and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Self-aware, adaptable, and open to feedback.
• Strategic thinker with a systems mindset.
• Collaborative and excels in bringing people together.
• Demonstrates change leadership and conflict resolution skills.
• Listens actively and communicates with clarity.
• Talent developer, empowering leadership at all levels.
• Builds trust and fosters a shared sense of accountability.
• Results-driven and passionate about continuous improvement.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $92,000 - $115,000 with a generous benefits package. The exact salary that will be offered to the Organizational Effectiveness Manager will be determined based on a consideration of the successful candidate’s skills, experience, and geography and aligned with the foundation’s compensation policies.

Contact 

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Erin Reedy. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.