Head of Product Strategy & Donor Value Proposition

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Product Strategy & Donor Value Proposition

Company: Foundation For The Carolinas

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Strategy & Operations / Philanthropic Services

Date Posted: 2026-08-12T01:17:27

Experience Level: 2-5 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic direction and development of the Foundation's donor-facing offerings, encompassing Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), investment pools, and planned giving vehicles.

• Define and articulate a compelling, differentiated donor value proposition, crucial for inspiring philanthropy and strengthening client relationships within the HNW and UHNW segments.

• Lead competitive intelligence efforts to analyze the philanthropic services landscape, identifying market opportunities and informing strategic product development.

• Own the Profit & Loss (P&L) for donor product lines, managing fee structures, operating costs, and financial stewardship to ensure sustainability and competitive positioning.

• Collaborate with technology teams to shape a cohesive donor-facing technology and experience strategy, enhancing engagement and accessibility through digital platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input describes a "Head of Product Strategy & Donor Value Proposition," the provided experience level (2-5 years) suggests this role might be more aligned with a Senior Product Manager or Lead Product Strategist rather than a traditional "Head" role that typically implies more extensive leadership experience. The focus on building a "new function from the ground up" also points to a significant strategic and foundational component. This role is positioned within operations by its focus on defining and managing product offerings, optimizing processes for donor engagement, and driving financial stewardship of product lines, which are core to a successful GTM and client service operation within a non-profit or financial services context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct ongoing competitive analysis of the DAF and philanthropic services market, including national sponsors, peer community foundations, and fintech entrants, to inform strategic recommendations.

• Develop and manage the product roadmap for donor-facing offerings, including DAF accounts, investment pools, planned giving vehicles, complex asset acceptance, and donor services, prioritizing initiatives by impact and feasibility.

• Design and maintain a competitive and sustainable fee framework across DAF account tiers, investment options, and ancillary services, analyzing margin implications of product decisions.

• Define and drive the Foundation's donor-facing technology strategy in partnership with the Chief Technology Officer, focusing on grant-making portals, digital onboarding, account reporting, and servicing.

• Collaborate closely with Development, Finance, Investments, and Communications teams to align product strategy with donor acquisition, retention goals, and overall organizational mission.

• Develop and maintain donor segmentation frameworks to tailor offerings and outreach to High Net Worth (HNW), Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW), and institutional donor profiles.

• Build and maintain relationships with peer community foundations and industry groups to stay abreast of sector best practices and emerging trends in philanthropy.

• Translate product requirements into delivered capabilities by working effectively with internal teams and external vendors.

• Define and track key donor experience metrics such as Net Promoter Score (NPS), digital engagement, and onboarding completion rates, driving continuous improvement initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities heavily emphasize strategic product management, competitive analysis, and financial stewardship within a philanthropic context. These are critical functions within a Go-To-Market (GTM) and Revenue Operations framework, focusing on defining the "product" (donor offerings) and ensuring its market viability and financial success. The collaboration with Development, Finance, and Communications highlights the cross-functional operational nature of this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., CFA, CFP) strongly preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in financial services product management, investment product strategy, or a closely related field. Experience managing P&L and developing competitive fee structures is essential.

Required Skills:

• Product Strategy: Proven ability to define and execute product strategies, develop roadmaps, and drive product lifecycle management.

• Financial Services Expertise: Deep understanding of financial products, investment vehicles, and the competitive landscape within wealth management or philanthropic services.

• Donor Value Proposition Development: Skill in crafting compelling value propositions that resonate with HNW and UHNW individuals and advisors.

• Competitive Intelligence: Proficiency in conducting market research, competitive analysis, and translating insights into actionable strategic recommendations.

• P&L Management: Demonstrated experience in owning and managing the P&L for product lines, including fee structure design, cost analysis, and margin optimization.

• Executive Communication: Strong presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex strategies and business cases to senior leadership, Boards, and major donors.

• Client Segmentation: Experience in developing and implementing strategies for HNW and UHNW client segments.

• Project Management: Ability to translate strategic vision into executed product outcomes and manage cross-functional projects.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience at or closely working with a national Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) sponsor (e.g., Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, NPT, Vanguard Charitable) or a large community foundation.

• Background in asset management product management, including fund launches, investment menu design, and fee structure development.

• Familiarity with complex asset acceptance processes (e.g., closely-held stock, real estate, private equity, cryptocurrency).

• Technology product sensibility and experience working with or managing vendor relationships for donor-facing platforms.

• Exposure to impact investing, ESG mandates, or mission-aligned investment product design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "2-5 years" AI-derived experience level is slightly narrower than the "3+ years" mentioned in the job description. The enhancement note clarifies this by stating "Minimum of 3 years," aligning with the job description's explicit requirement while acknowledging the broader AI inference. The skills are tailored to operations by emphasizing strategic execution, financial management, and client-facing product development, which are key to GTM and revenue operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Product Strategy Case Studies: Examples showcasing the development of a product strategy, including market analysis, competitive positioning, and roadmap creation.

• Value Proposition Frameworks: Demonstrations of how a donor value proposition was defined, articulated, and implemented, with evidence of market impact.

• P&L Management Examples: Documentation of experience managing product line P&Ls, including fee structure analysis, cost-benefit assessments, and financial modeling.

• Process Optimization Projects: Case studies detailing the improvement of donor-facing processes, such as onboarding, grant-making, or service delivery, highlighting efficiency gains and enhanced donor experience.

• Technology Integration Projects: Evidence of involvement in technology strategy or implementation for client-facing platforms, showcasing an understanding of user experience and operational efficiency.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Showcase examples of analyzing and redesigning donor service workflows to improve efficiency, reduce friction, and enhance overall donor satisfaction.

• Product Development Lifecycle: Document experience in managing the end-to-end product development lifecycle, from ideation and research through launch and iteration.

• Performance Measurement Frameworks: Present methodologies for defining, tracking, and reporting on key product and donor experience metrics, demonstrating a data-driven approach to continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crucial for operations roles. The emphasis is on demonstrating practical application of strategy, process improvement, and financial management within a product context. For this role, showcasing how strategy translates into tangible donor offerings and improved operational efficiency is paramount.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on the specified location (Charlotte, NC), experience level (3+ years in product management/strategy within financial services), and the leadership/strategic nature of the role, a competitive salary range is estimated to be between $110,000 - $150,000 annually. This estimate considers regional cost of living, industry benchmarks for similar roles in financial services and non-profits, and the P&L management responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Retirement savings plan with employer match (e.g., 401(k) or similar).

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and certifications relevant to product strategy and philanthropy.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives tied to product success and organizational impact.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.

Working Hours: Standard full-time role, typically 40 hours per week. While the role is on-site, a degree of flexibility may be offered, particularly for focused work or during critical project phases, aligning with Foundation For The Carolinas' commitment to employee well-being and mission delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated as it was not provided. The range is based on industry standards for Product Strategy/Management roles in financial services/non-profits in a major metropolitan area like Charlotte, NC, considering the stated experience and responsibilities. Benefits are typical for full-time professional roles in the US non-profit sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Non-profit / Community Foundation / Philanthropic Services. Foundation For The Carolinas operates at the intersection of finance, community development, and philanthropy, acting as a central hub for charitable giving and strategic impact in the region.

Company Size: The input does not specify company size, but typically, large community foundations can range from 50-200 employees, implying a structured yet potentially agile operational environment. This size suggests opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and direct impact on organizational strategy.

Founded: Founded in 1940, Foundation For The Carolinas has a long history of serving the Charlotte region, evolving from a traditional community foundation to a significant philanthropic partner with a focus on innovation and impact. This longevity suggests stability and a deep understanding of regional needs.

Team Structure:

• The Head of Product Strategy & Donor Value Proposition will likely lead a small, nascent team or function, potentially working closely with analysts or product specialists as the function grows.

• This role reports to a senior executive, likely a Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Revenue Officer, or a similar executive overseeing donor relations and product development.

• Close collaboration is expected with the Development (fundraising), Finance, Investments, Communications, and Technology departments, forming a matrixed operational structure. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using market insights, competitive analysis, and donor feedback to inform product strategy and development.

• Agile Product Development: While not explicitly stated, the mention of building a new function and the need for iterative improvement suggests an agile approach to product roadmap planning and execution.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: A strong focus on collaborative planning and execution across various departments to ensure integrated donor experiences and strategic coherence.

Company Website: https://www.fftc.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company size and specific team structure were inferred based on the typical profile of a large community foundation. The "Head of Product Strategy" title, coupled with the "building a new function from the ground up" description, suggests a role that is both strategic and foundational, requiring significant operational design and implementation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor or a foundational leadership role within a newly established product strategy function. It requires a blend of strategic thinking, market analysis, financial acumen, and execution capabilities, often found in senior product management or product strategy roles. The scope includes defining the strategic direction and managing the P&L for key donor offerings, indicating significant responsibility and influence.

Reporting Structure: The position reports to a senior executive (e.g., Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Revenue Officer), signifying direct access to executive leadership and involvement in high-level strategic planning. This reporting line offers visibility and the opportunity to influence organizational strategy.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the Foundation's ability to attract, retain, and deepen relationships with donors, particularly HNW and UHNW individuals. By optimizing the donor value proposition and product offerings, it directly contributes to increased philanthropic giving, enhanced community impact, and the financial sustainability of the organization. Success in this role is measured by growth in donor engagement, asset under management, and overall philanthropic capital deployed.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to build and lead a dedicated Product Strategy team as the function matures and demonstrates value.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to become a key advisor on donor strategy, product innovation, and market positioning within the philanthropic sector.

• Sector Expertise: Deepen expertise in philanthropic services, impact investing, and wealth management product development, becoming a recognized leader in the field.

• Organizational Advancement: Path to more senior leadership roles within the Foundation or other major philanthropic organizations, leveraging a unique blend of product strategy and mission-driven impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed to appeal to ambitious professionals in operations and strategy roles, highlighting the potential for leadership, increased strategic influence, and specialized expertise development within the non-profit and philanthropic sector.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site at the Foundation's headquarters in Charlotte, NC. This implies a professional office environment conducive to collaboration, focused work, and in-person meetings with colleagues, donors, and advisors.

Office Location(s): The primary office is located at 220 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, in a central business district, suggesting accessibility and a professional setting.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office likely provides meeting rooms, collaborative work areas, and private offices to support diverse working needs, facilitating interaction with cross-functional teams.

• Technology Infrastructure: Access to modern office technology, including reliable internet, communication tools, and potentially specialized software for data analysis, CRM, and project management.

• Professional Networking: Opportunities to interact with a diverse range of professionals, including finance experts, development officers, community leaders, and potentially major donors, fostering a rich professional network.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. While on-site, the Foundation likely offers a degree of flexibility for focused work or to accommodate project deadlines and critical donor interactions, balancing operational needs with employee well-being.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description emphasizes a professional, collaborative, and well-equipped on-site work environment, typical for a reputable non-profit organization in a major city.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume by HR or a recruiting partner to assess basic qualifications and alignment with the role.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a senior executive) to delve into your experience with product strategy, P&L management, donor value proposition, and competitive analysis. Expect behavioral and situational questions.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Development, Finance, Investments, and Technology to assess collaboration style, strategic alignment, and understanding of their respective functions.

• Presentation/Case Study: A potential presentation or case study exercise where you'll be asked to outline your approach to developing a product roadmap, defining a value proposition, or analyzing a competitive scenario relevant to the Foundation. This is where your portfolio will be crucial.

• Final Interview: A final discussion with executive leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic vision, and overall suitability for the role and the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate for Impact: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your strategic thinking, product development lifecycle management, P&L ownership, and donor value proposition creation.

• Quantify Results: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, the processes you employed, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., increased AUM, improved donor retention, revenue growth, efficiency gains). Use metrics relevant to financial services and philanthropy.

• Showcase Strategic Rigor: Include examples of competitive analysis, market segmentation, and strategic roadmap development. Explain your methodology and how your insights drove decisions.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, include examples that show your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams (Sales, Marketing, Finance, Tech) to achieve product goals.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects involving financial products, donor-facing services, or non-profit/community foundation contexts if available. Frame your experience in terms of driving "remarkable impact."

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Frameworks: Be prepared to discuss your preferred frameworks for market analysis, product strategy development, and competitive intelligence.

• P&L Scenarios: Practice articulating how you would approach managing a P&L for donor product lines, including identifying key cost drivers and revenue levers.

• Value Proposition Articulation: Prepare to present a hypothetical donor value proposition for Foundation For The Carolinas, considering their mission and the competitive landscape.

• Technology & Experience: Be ready to discuss how technology can enhance the donor experience and operational efficiency in a philanthropic setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice for candidates, emphasizing the need for a portfolio that showcases quantifiable results and strategic thinking relevant to operations and GTM functions. The interview process is structured to assess both strategic capability and collaborative potential.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM System: Likely Salesforce or a similar robust CRM for managing donor relationships, tracking engagement, and supporting development efforts. Proficiency in CRM data management and reporting is key.

• Product Management Tools: Depending on the Foundation's maturity, tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com might be used for roadmap planning, task management, and workflow tracking.

• Business Intelligence/Analytics Platforms: Tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for data analysis, dashboard creation, and performance reporting on donor engagement and product metrics.

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Software: Tools used for budget management, P&L tracking, and financial modeling.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Donor Data Analytics: Skills in analyzing donor data to identify trends, segment audiences, and measure the effectiveness of product strategies and outreach.

• Financial Reporting Tools: Ability to generate and interpret financial reports related to product line P&Ls, fee structures, and investment performance.

• Dashboarding Tools: Experience in creating clear, actionable dashboards to communicate key performance indicators (KPIs) to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Integration: Understanding of how CRM systems integrate with other platforms to provide a unified view of donor interactions and streamline operational workflows.

• Workflow Automation: Familiarity with identifying opportunities for process automation to enhance efficiency in areas like onboarding, grant processing, or reporting.

• Data Integration: Awareness of how data is integrated across different systems to ensure data integrity and support comprehensive analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights the operational technology stack relevant to a product strategy role within a financial/non-profit organization. The emphasis is on tools that support data analysis, CRM management, financial tracking, and workflow optimization, all critical for effective operations.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven Impact: A core value centered on leveraging financial expertise and strategic planning to achieve "remarkable impact" in the community through philanthropy. Operations professionals are expected to align their work with this overarching mission.

• Data-Informed Decision-Making: A commitment to using analytics, market insights, and performance data to guide strategic choices and operational improvements.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Emphasis on working effectively across departments (Development, Finance, Investments, Communications) and with external partners to achieve shared goals.

• Innovation & Adaptability: A culture that encourages exploring new approaches, building new functions from the ground up, and adapting to the evolving landscape of philanthropy and financial services.

• Stewardship & Responsibility: A deep sense of accountability for managing donor assets, fee structures, and operational processes with integrity and fiduciary care.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where product strategy is developed and executed in close partnership with fundraising, finance, investment, and communications teams.

• Open Communication: A culture that values transparent communication, constructive feedback, and the sharing of insights to drive collective success.

• Process Improvement Focus: A shared commitment to continuously evaluating and refining operational processes to enhance efficiency, donor experience, and overall organizational effectiveness.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section translates the company's mission and stated values into operational expectations for professionals in this role, emphasizing how these values translate into daily work and collaboration.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Building from Scratch: As a newly created function, there will be a significant challenge in establishing processes, defining responsibilities, and building foundational infrastructure without pre-existing blueprints.

• Balancing Innovation and Stability: The need to innovate donor offerings while maintaining the trust and stability required by HNW/UHNW donors and regulatory bodies.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Operating in a dynamic philanthropic sector requires adaptability and the ability to make strategic decisions with incomplete information.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring buy-in and effective collaboration from established departments with potentially different priorities or operational styles.

• Competitive Differentiation: Standing out in a crowded market of national DAF sponsors and other philanthropic vehicles requires a truly compelling and well-executed value proposition.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Product Strategy Mastery: Deepen expertise in product lifecycle management, market analysis, and strategic planning within the unique context of philanthropy.

• Philanthropic Sector Knowledge: Gain comprehensive understanding of donor motivations, complex giving vehicles, impact investing, and community foundation operations.

• Financial Product Development: Expand knowledge of investment products, fee structures, and financial stewardship in a non-profit setting.

• Leadership & Influence: Develop leadership skills by building a new function, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section anticipates potential challenges and frames them as opportunities for professional growth, aligning with the role's nature of building a new function and the Foundation's mission of driving impact.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a new product strategy from market research to roadmap definition." (Focus on your methodology, data sources, and how you prioritize initiatives.)

• "How would you define and differentiate the donor value proposition for Foundation For The Carolinas against national DAF sponsors?" (Emphasize understanding of the competitive landscape and target audience.)

• "Walk me through a time you managed the P&L for a product line. What were the key drivers, and how did you optimize for profitability and sustainability?" (Be specific with metrics and your actions.)

• "How do you approach analyzing competitive offerings in a mature market like DAFs, and what kind of actionable insights would you look for?" (Demonstrate analytical rigor and strategic thinking.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Foundation For The Carolinas' mission and our role in the community?" (Show genuine interest and research into their impact.)

• "How have you fostered collaboration between product, development, and finance teams in previous roles?" (Highlight your cross-functional operational skills.)

• "Describe a time you had to build a new function or process from the ground up. What were the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?" (Address the "building from scratch" aspect of this role.)

• "How do you balance innovation with the need for operational stability and regulatory compliance in financial services or philanthropy?" (Showcase your understanding of risk and strategic execution.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Executive Summary: Begin with a concise overview of your most impactful projects, highlighting key achievements and their relevance to this role.

• Storytelling: For each case study, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your strategic approach, the operational execution, and the tangible results (quantified impact).

• Visual Aids: Use clear, professional visuals (charts, graphs, simplified process flows) to illustrate your points and make complex data easily digestible. Avoid overly dense slides.

• Focus on "Remarkable Impact": Explicitly connect your contributions to the Foundation's mission and the measurable impact you helped create, whether financial, operational, or philanthropic.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodology, assumptions, and potential alternative approaches. Be ready to defend your strategic choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides concrete, actionable advice for preparing for interviews, including specific question types and strategies for presenting a portfolio that highlights operational and strategic capabilities relevant to the role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application, including your resume and cover letter, through the provided link on the Paylocity recruiting portal.

• Curate Your Operations Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your strategic product development, P&L management, and value proposition design experience. Quantify your achievements with metrics relevant to financial services and philanthropic impact.

• Optimize Your Resume for Operations: Highlight keywords and responsibilities related to product strategy, financial services, P&L management, competitive analysis, and donor engagement. Ensure your achievements are clearly articulated and demonstrate measurable results.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies concisely, focusing on your strategic approach, operational execution, and the "remarkable impact" achieved. Be ready to discuss your methodology and answer in-depth questions about your experience.

• Research Foundation For The Carolinas: Understand their mission, strategic initiatives, recent impact reports, and the competitive landscape of community foundations and DAF sponsors. Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your strategic thinking and interest in their specific operational context.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.