Epic Foundation is seeking a Programs Director to lead our programmatic and grantmaking efforts. The Programs Director will play a crucial role within the foundation. Aligned with our strategic objectives, the Programs Director will articulate and implement Epic’s programmatic and grantmaking strategy, from selection to monitoring, and hold responsibility for managing Epic’s portfolio of non-profits and overall relationship with our grantee partners. 

The Programs Director will manage the Programs team globally (around 4 people) and will report to the COO. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit leadership, program management, grantmaking, and a deep passion for social impact and strategic philanthropy. 

The Programs Director will manage the Programs team globally (around 4 people) and will report to the COO. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit leadership, program management, grantmaking, and a deep passion for social impact and strategic philanthropy. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop and execute Programs’ strategy with a high degree of professionalism and commitment, in alignment with Epic’s mission, value, and strategic goals. 

• Provide leadership and management to the Programs team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

• Manage, develop, and nurture relationships with Epic’s grantees and key partners in the nonprofit sector, staying abreast of emerging best practices and trends relevant to our portfolios. 

• Oversee and conduct, with the Programs team, the annual selection processes to find and select new groundbreaking nonprofits for Epic’s portfolios, including comprehensive due diligence. 

• Oversee and conduct ongoing periodic qualitative, due diligence, and financial monitoring of portfolio organizations, with a capacity to innovate and integrate tech tools to improve processes and outcomes. 

• Streamline and align grantmaking strategy with Operations and Development teams’ practices and contribute to the biannual grantmaking process. 

• Develop a capacity-building approach to provide ad-hoc technical support to organizations as relevant and desired. 

• Collaborate with other Epic teams to develop internal and external knowledge management and promote the work of our grantee partners, contributing to Development and Engagement strategies and practices for donor acquisition and retention.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in senior leadership roles within the nonprofit sector, with a track record of nonprofit program management, grantmaking, and/or social impact investment, preferably in areas of human development, poverty, and/or education. Knowledge of environmental protection and climate action is a plus. 

• Understanding of current best practices and innovation in philanthropic strategies, grantee organization support, and technical expertise in one or more areas of our topical focus. 

• Strong understanding of nonprofit management, design, and impact analysis with the ability to assess a nonprofit across impact, operations, and governance. 

• Strong knowledge of due diligence and M&E tools (development and implementation)

• Empathetic, collaborative, and visionary leader with demonstrated management skills; exceptional team player with the ability to work across cultures and languages. 

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences; strong analytical and evaluative skills. 

• Ability to work in a lean and entrepreneurial organization with a high degree of self-management; strong project management skills and the ability to manage a high-volume workload at a fast pace. 

• Comfortable using technology and learning new software (experience with Salesforce a plus). 

• Must have the right to work in France 

• Native level of English (spoken and written) required; proficiency in French preferred. 

What Epic Can Offer You 

Location: Paris (2-day per week remote work arrangements permitted)
Salary: Based on experience, within a range of €70,000–€80,000, + Benefits

Benefits: At Epic, we value our team and strive to provide a supportive and rewarding work environment. Our benefits include:

• Generous Paid Time Off – 25 days (5 weeks) of annual paid leave, plus      bank holidays, as well as the  additional office closure between Christmas and New Years.

• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage – Private health insurance through our partner, Alan. Epic covers 50% of the employee’s mutuelle costs, as well as 50% of the costs for their partner and children.

• Culture & Sports Allowance – An annual 150€ allowance for cultural or sports activities, available to all permanent staff after the successful completion of their trial period.

• Transportation Subsidy – Epic covers 50% of the cost of the local transportation pass     , including Navigo and SNCF subscriptions     .

• Meal Allowance – Employees receive luncheon vouchers worth 10.50€ per day worked, with 60% covered by Epic.

Remote Work Allowance – A monthly homeworking contribution of the lesser of either 60% of base costs or 26€ for all permanent staff after the successful completion of their trial period.

The process includes the following steps (note: you will progress to the next step upon successfully completing the previous one) : 

1. A screening call to assess your initial fit for the role.

2. An interview with our COO to discuss the position in detail.

3. Completion of a case study, allowing you to demonstrate relevant skills.

4. Additional short interviews with members of our HR team, Comex, and Advisory Board.

5. Reference validation to confirm your experience and qualifications.

6. A final interview with our CEO to conclude the process.

How to Apply

Please apply through the job offer link on our Welcome to the Jungle page. Applications submitted outside this platform or without a cover letter will not be considered.

Epic is dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities in employment. We hire based on merit, and all candidates will be considered for employment regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, ethnicity, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. At Epic, we seek individuals who share our passion for what we do, bringing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to collectively make a positive impact.

If you require any assistance with your application or preparation for an interview for one of our job openings, please contact us at  hr@epic.foundation. We are committed to ensuring you have a positive and comfortable experience.