IDEO.org is a nonprofit design and innovation organization focused on solving poverty-related
challenges and spreading human-centered design through the social sector. Human-centered design
enables organizations to create and deliver innovative solutions to pressing challenges that are rooted
in the needs of people. IDEO.org works directly with organizations across a wide range of focus areas
related to poverty, including health, financial services, gender equity, water and sanitation, community
development and agriculture.

Position Summary

IDEO.org intends to launch an Inclusive Cities Lab in New York City in early 2015. In preparation for this launch, we are looking to hire a relationship lead to align partners around the lab, raise funding for the program, help build a design team for the launch, and work with the core team to define the design challenge, activities, and outputs for the first year of work.

The Inclusive Cities Lab will focus on improving access to public benefits and social services for low-income New Yorkers. We plan to work with the City of New York, community-based organizations, foundations, and philanthropists to identify and define the challenges and design solutions to improve the financial situation of New Yorkers living below the poverty line.

The creation of the Inclusive Cities Lab is IDEO.org’s first foray in basing a team outside of the Bay Area and we are looking to hire a relationship lead who can effectively represent IDEO.org with a wide array of partners. It is also crucial that the Relationship Lead have existing relationships across the non-profit sphere in New York City, and has deep experience interfacing and working with those at the city government level in New York. And in addition to supporting the development of the Inclusive Cities Lab, we expect the relationship lead to take on additional partnership development and fundraising responsibilities in New York City and represent IDEO.org at local convenings and conferences. 

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has the ability to define, launch, and run a new venture
• Has significant experience and a strong network related to poverty alleviation in New York City (including the provision of public benefits and social services)
• Has experience working with designers and a strong understanding and appreciation of the human-centered design approach
• Has experience building and supporting a team of close collaborators
• Has strong verbal and written communication skills; loves making public presentations
• Thrives on networking, meeting new people, and following up to create new opportunities
• Is a self-starter; can initiate work for him/herself even is s/he is working alone for the first few months
• Has strong consulting and customer service skills; is able to listen to the needs of others and frame opportunities around them
• Is a strong strategic thinker who has experience developing business plans; facility with Excel
• Fundraising and business development experience, especially with nonprofits, foundations, and individual philanthropists
• Has 8+ years of relevant work experience 

How To Apply:
Please upload your resume, a cover letter, and any other relevant materials. All of your documents should be in one PDF and uploaded as your resume. 

We are only accepting candidates who are authorized and able to work in the US. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor a work visa for this role at this time.