Director, Asset Building Program

The New America Foundation seeks a dynamic, visionary, and entrepreneurial Director for the Asset Building Program. The program, launched in 2002, has established itself as a leading voice on innovative, market-oriented public policies to enable low- and moderate-wealth families in the U.S and around the world to (a) accumulate savings; (b) access wealth-building financial services and financial education; (c) better manage their debts; and (d) build and protect lifelong, productive assets -- a home, an education, a small business, investments, and a nest-egg for retirement. The program is among the world’s leading policy experts and advocates for universal and progressively funded savings accounts at birth in developed and developing countries.

In 2006, the program launched both the Financial Services and Education Project and the Global Assets Project to deepen its work in these areas; is a leading voice for asset-building policies in California; launched and manages the assets clearinghouse, AssetBuilding.org; and played a seminal role in the 2005 formation of the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Congressional Savings and Ownership Caucus in the U.S. Congress. The program has also published in the nation’s leading newspapers and magazines, and has appeared on the nation’s top television and radio programs. For more information, see http://www.newamerica.net/programs/asset_building.

Primary Responsibilities

• Articulate and implement a strategic vision for the program to maximize its impact on public policies in the U.S. and around the world.
• Manage, grow, and professionally develop the program’s 14-person staff.
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for the program, and raise the overall visibility and credibility of the program.
• Maintain and grow the program’s funding base, including securing funding and recruiting top talent for new initiatives that advance the program’s vision.
• Provide high-level policy advice on the broad range of issues covered by the program to Members of Congress, administration officials, presidential candidates, regulators, international organizations, foreign governments and others, as well as to researchers, national commissions, advocates, and the media.
• Publish issue briefs, reports, articles, op-eds, and books on key issues promoted by the program.
• As a senior staff member, contribute to the management and growth of the New America Foundation.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Deep and well-recognized expertise in the asset-building policy issues advanced by the program.
• Ability to articulate a compelling vision of growth for both the assets field and the Asset Building Program.
• Proven ability to secure funding, attract top talent, launch programs and initiatives, and manage a staff in a growing, entrepreneurial organization.
• Solid understanding of the policymaking process.
• Outstanding writing, public speaking, and organizing abilities.
• Eagerness to contribute to the management and growth of the New America Foundation.
• At least ten years of relevant work experience.
• Graduate degree in economics, public policy, social policy, law, or related fields.

Application Process

Please mail, fax, or email a resume and cover letter (maximum two pages) summarizing your interests and qualifications to: Danielle Maxwell, New America Foundation, 1630 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20009. Fax: 202-986-3696. E-mail: maxwell@newamerica.net. No phone calls, please.

Generous salary package commensurate with experience; excellent benefits. The New America Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.