Director, Cardiovascular Nutrition Fund
Job description
Renaissance Philanthropy is seeking an exceptional leader to design a new Cardiovascular Nutrition Fund, a global initiative to dramatically reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease by improving the nutritional quality of staple foods like salt and wheat.
This role offers an opportunity to earn a permanent place in history: leading an effort with a high chance of preventing millions of preventable deaths each year from heart attacks and strokes.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the quiet colossus of global health. Each year it kills approximately twenty million people, more than every war, natural disaster, and epidemic combined. That is one in every three deaths worldwide. In the United States alone, it claims around 900,000 lives annually. For decades, we have known that nutrition can reduce CVD. New evidence has transformed our understanding of just how much of a difference small nutritional shifts can make.
We are seeking to design a new fund to build and expand upon already identified high potential levers that are ready for scaling.
Role Overview
We are looking for a versatile and highly entrepreneurial leader to design a new Cardiovascular Nutrition Fund to advance fiber, potassium, and other nutritional interventions to dramatically reduce the burden of CVD.
You would take overall responsibility for designing and, eventually, launching and managing this multi-year initiative, working across science, policy, and industry to turn evidence into action. You will be in charge of defining the Fund’s theory of change, coordinating key stakeholders, and building the partnerships and infrastructure needed for global success.
You would operate with autonomy and entrepreneurial freedom, working with a small, high-performing team and convening the broader ecosystem required to make progress on one of the world’s most important public health challenges.
Initial 3 Months
During the first three months, your focus will be to develop the blueprint for the Fund, preparing it for launch in early 2026. During this time, your title would be “Fellow” or “Senior Fellow” and key deliverables would include:
Developing the strategic plan: Define the Fund’s vision, scope, and theory of change, including clear metrics for success.
Determining operating model and scale: Outline structure, governance, financial mechanisms, and multi-year horizons.
Developing a portfolio roadmap: Identify and prioritize early program pillars, such as potassium salt substitution and high-fiber wheat, as well as potential additional pillars.
Engaging stakeholders: Conduct consultations with researchers, policymakers, funders, and industry leaders to refine program design and secure early commitments.
Establishing foundational systems: Create budget tracking, communication, and reporting frameworks.
Preparing for launch: Produce the strategic plan, narrative deck, and partner materials for review and announcement in early 2026, and pitching to secure key funders and partners.
By the end of this period, you would have defined a clear, actionable plan for how the Fund can deliver measurable reductions in cardiovascular disease through improvements to the food supply.
Responsibilities Thereafter
Once launched, you would assume overall leadership for the initiative and your title would change to “Fund Director.” This would involve:
Providing strategic direction and leadership for all aspects of the Fund.
Managing a growing portfolio of programs, grants, and partnerships.
Coordinating a global coalition of scientists, policymakers, and food system leaders.
Ensuring effective resource allocation, transparent reporting, and operational excellence.
Building and mentoring a small, mission-driven team to execute the Fund’s objectives.
Key Qualifications
8+ years of experience in global health, nutrition, plant breeding, international development, program evaluation, entrepreneurship, founding organizations, or related fields
Strong research and analytical skills with ability to identify high-impact opportunities and exceptional talent and the ability to develop expertise in new areas and across disciplines.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to translate complex concepts for diverse audiences
Experience working with researchers, practitioners, and/or policymakers in global health or development contexts, with preference for experience in nutrition, food systems, agriculture, plant breeding, and/or cardiovascular disease.
Values
You will thrive within our team if you:
Have strong mission and vision alignment: You believe in the power of science, innovation, and technology to create a brighter future for all.
Exhibit high agency: You can move mountains and break perceived constraints.
Inspire others and are highly collaborative: You can motivate others to join your mission and goals. You understand the value of going further by working with others.
Value exceptional talent and the power of networks: You can spot or nurture exceptional talent and believe in the value of building networks and the power law of talent.
Are comfortable working in fast-moving and ambitious teams: You are not afraid of ambiguity and enjoy working at pace.
Compensation
Base salary: $140,000-$230,000, commensurate to experience.
Comprehensive benefits package.
Next Steps
You can apply here. We encourage anyone who is interested in this role to apply, regardless of whether you feel you meet 100% of the qualifications. The top candidates will bring their own unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds from a variety of industries along with many but not necessarily all the skills listed above. Recruiting, hiring, mentoring, and retaining a diverse workforce is critical to our success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Renaissance Philanthropy is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.