Deputy Director, TAAF Cities

About the Organization

The Asian American Foundation serves the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community in their pursuit of belonging and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AANHPI communities, TAAF mobilizes to fight against hate and violence, reclaim our narratives and celebrate our stories by ensuring prosperity, safety and belonging. Through our high-impact initiatives, events, and investments in national and local nonprofits, we’re creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of AANHPIs in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org.

About the Role

TAAF launched “TAAF Cities” in May 2025 as a place-based initiative, with the goal of spurring historic public and private investments to strengthen cities with large Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations.  The goal is that TAAF will deepen its impact in cities across the country by building tailored solutions by partnering with local leaders to address the unique needs of each community in the areas of safety, belonging, and prosperity.   

The Deputy Director will be a critical part of this work leading and managing the execution of TAAF CIties in multiple sites, and the programs in New York City.  This individual will also manage the Senior Program Manager, Cities (West) with the potential for the CIties team to grow in the future.  This role connects TAAF’s national strategy to local execution, managing a portfolio of programs and grants that advance Safety, Belonging, and Prosperity for the AAPI community.  Internally, they will coordinate and partner across key departments - Programs, Partnerships, Fundraising/Events, and Communications.  Externally, they will help TAAF build partnerships with city governments, local organizations, and community leaders to deliver high-impact, data-driven results.  This role will report into the Head of Programs.  

We are looking for a strategic, entrepreneurial person who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments. The ideal candidate brings experience in public-private partnerships, economic development/small business, and a grantmaking/mission-related investments background, along with a proven track record of managing complex programs with independence and agility.  They will have exceptional attention to detail, strong project management skills, and the ability to collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholders — from local partners to board members. 

Most importantly, they are driven by purpose. They lead with integrity, curiosity, and empathy, and they are passionate about creating a future where every AANHPI community can thrive. If you are energized by innovation, impact, and building something that lasts, we would love to have you on our team.

Responsibilities

Program Management and Execution (60%)

• Lead the management and execution of TAAF Cities in multiple sites and the programs in New York City, ensuring every initiative aligns with TAAF’s goals for Safety, Belonging, and Prosperity.
• Manage the Senior Program Manager, Cities (West) and potentially manage additional team members over time. 
• Develop and manage detailed work plans, timelines, and budgets for a portfolio of programs and grants, maintaining accountability for outcomes and high-quality delivery.
• Oversee the launch and iteration of pilot and signature initiatives, ensuring community input, clear success metrics, and measurable impact.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for local partners and grantees — conducting regular check-ins, reviewing performance, troubleshooting challenges, and providing capacity-building support.
• Maintain strong program documentation, monitor interdependencies across multiple projects, and ensure compliance with TAAF policies and funding requirements.
• Coordinate TAAF’s efforts across internal departments - including Programs, Partnerships, and Communications.

Cross-Functional Coordination and Data (25%)

• Partner with the Data & Research team to ensure consistent collection and analysis of program metrics, disaggregated data, and impact stories.
• Translate data and qualitative insights into clear, actionable recommendations that inform both local decision-making and national strategy.
• Connect city-level realities to national programmatic goals, ensuring that on-the-ground learnings shape TAAF’s broader narrative and scaling strategy.
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefings, and presentations for leadership, funders, and partners that highlight progress, challenges, and return on investment.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement and Other Duties (15%)

• Source and structure partnerships with non-profit organizations, community influencers, government leaders, and other key stakeholders in New York City
• Organize and facilitate high-value meetings, workshops, and learning sessions that foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective action.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Experience and Education

• Subject matter expert in economic development/small business issues, with deep experience in grantmaking and/or mission-related investments
• Experience leading and managing high-performing teams
• Proven success in building and sustaining strategic public–private partnerships and overseeing grants portfolios, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and measurable impact.
• 10-15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in program management and/or strategic consulting, with a preference for experience in non-profit organizations, foundations, or public sector institutions.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs in a dense urban environment. A strong understanding of the regional landscape including key issues, stakeholders, and relationships is preferred.
• Undergraduate degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related discipline is highly preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Proven expertise and background in economic development/small business with grantmaking and mission-related investments experience
• Strong strategic planning, program management, and organizational leadership skills.
• Proven ability to build and manage cross-sector partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including data-driven decision-making.
• Experience managing budgets, grants, and complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and mission-driven approach to achieving organizational goals.
• Excellent organizational skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Working Hours

• Occasional weekend, off-hours, or evening work required.
• Some travel required.

Location

• This role requires residency in the metropolitan New York City area with three days in office (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).

Benefits

• TAAF provides competitive compensation and benefits including health insurance (including dental and vision) and a 401k retirement plan to all employees.
• Anticipated salary is $150,000.00.