Fremont Group
POSITION DESCRIPTION: VICE PRESIDENT - PHILANTHROPY
SAN FRANCISCO, CA April 1, 2025
THE OPPORTUNITY
Fremont Group seeks a senior philanthropic advisor for the newly created Vice President - Philanthropy position. This is a unique and compelling opportunity to join the Integrated Philanthropy Practice of the Bechtel family office, work closely and strategically with family clients, and oversee a diverse philanthropy portfolio with a focus on medical research (neurodegenerative disease, cardiovascular disease, and related areas), and science-based philanthropy including climate solutions and conservation. Other areas of funding include education, civics, and place-based work in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Domain experience in neuroscience and cardiovascular-focused philanthropy or experience in science-focused philanthropy with the ability to evaluate medical research and institutions is required. Candidates must also have a passion for broad scientific inquiry and advancement and demonstrated experience identifying emerging areas of science and medical research that foster transformative discoveries. Prior grantmaking experience, a strong client service orientation, a sophisticated ability to oversee large-scale, complex, cutting-edge investments, and the versatility to take on grantmaking in other areas are also essential.
The VP will be a core member of Fremont Group’s five-person Integrated Philanthropy team and will 1) guide and support individual client/family members in their philanthropic efforts, 2) develop portfolios and strategies to support new areas of giving, and 3) facilitate opportunities for clients/family members to learn and engage in philanthropic areas of interest. The VP will represent client interests with key partners and grantees, work with grantees to create linkages and partnerships that add value to the field, cultivate broad domain expertise across multiple fields, and track trends and synthesize knowledge relevant to the grant portfolio issue areas.
This position reports to the Director - Integrated Philanthropy Practice. This is a full-time, exempt hybrid position with an in-office schedule (Tuesday -Thursday) working from the Fremont Group’s offices in downtown San Francisco. A remote option is not available for this role.
fREMONT GROUP
Fremont Group is the San Francisco-based private investment office for the Bechtel family. In addition to its role as an investment manager, Fremont serves as a full-service Family Office, with over one hundred and fifty employees.
Fremont Group’s success as an investor has been based upon the values of integrity, teamwork, innovation, and sound judgment. Fremont has assets under management across a broad array of asset classes, investing in fund of funds and directly, and has a unique and long-term focus in its investment program. Fremont considers itself a “business investor” due to its operating orientation and its commitment to partnership with its managers and portfolio companies to create superior value over the medium to long term.
CULTURE OF LEARNING, INCLUSION, AND OUTREACH
We believe that our firm is only as good as its people. Fremont fosters a welcoming and inclusive culture that values each individual’s unique ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds. We feel that everyone has ideas worth hearing and we have created a collaborative and collegial environment in which we are empowered to do our best work. We also invest heavily in our employees' ongoing education, career development, and their wholistic wellbeing. Employees at all levels and functions receive support to help them grow their technical, business, and leadership expertise relative to their functional area. As a relatively smaller organization, all employees can make a visible impact on the firm, be recognized, and grow their careers in meaningful ways.
Outreach and philanthropy are at the core of what we do and who we are as members of our community. Fremont encourages and celebrates the contributions of employees in the community. Through the Fremont Group Foundation (FGF), we offer various ways for employees to make an impact, including employee organized volunteer events, an annual fundraiser, and our Annual Giving Month, to name a few. We also offer generous volunteer time off (VTO), donation matching and service awards for employees who volunteer and/or serve on the governing board of an eligible organization.
INTEGRATED PHILANTHROPY PRACTICE
Fremont Group’s Integrated Philanthropy Practice manages 17 client foundations, provides professional advice, supports the clients’ philanthropic vision, and helps them increase the impact of their personal and institutional giving. Fremont clients are philanthropy learners and leaders whose vision and path to achieving success take shape in different ways. The success of the Integrated Philanthropy Practice relies heavily on a consultative, collaborative approach, meeting high standards and driving innovation and excellence. The Integrated Philanthropy Practice is led by the Director, Integrated Philanthropy Practice, who oversees a team of five and contracted subject matter experts, advisors, and nonprofit attorneys.
The Integrated Philanthropy Practice is embedded within the Client Services function, a team of 22 who provide a range of services to family clients, including estate planning, human resources, financial services, tax planning, philanthropic advice and management, and more. Most team members have experience and expertise in law, estate and strategic planning, and wealth management. The team is collaborative and driven to provide exceptional client services by executing daily projects and transactions while providing insights and advice to meet client needs and interests. Excellent communication, attention to detail, accuracy, and service delivery drive everything accomplished within the Client Services team.
KEY responsibilities
The VP will collaborate with other members of the Integrated Philanthropy Team in client services/engagement, strategy development, grantmaking, grants management, landscape analysis, external engagement, and relationship building in service of the clients’ philanthropic goals. Key responsibilities include:
Client Engagement. Develop strong working relationships with multiple family clients to understand clients’ diverse philanthropic interests, values, goals, and desired impact. Serve as a content expert and facilitator of grants and investments in client areas of interest.
Strategy. Develop grantmaking strategies, priorities, approaches, and goals that foster transformative discoveries and align with clients’ intended outcomes and impacts across diverse portfolio issue areas. Partner with the Director of Integrated Philanthropy Practice and other team members to advise on grantmaking strategies and portfolios with a big-picture approach while working on individual grants through the complete lifecycle.
Grantmaking. Based on client interest areas, research, identify, and recommend funding for research and other relevant work. Lead all stages of grant development from research and idea generation to grantee engagement, learning, evaluation, and impact assessment. Cultivate deep and broad domain expertise and make recommendations based on knowledge, analysis, and external input. Conduct thorough reviews, including analyzing all proposals' scientific merit, feasibility, and goal alignment.
Grants Management. Manage a portfolio of active grants, including tracking grant milestones and reviewing grant reports for performance against outcomes. Partner with grantees and other stakeholders to identify and resolve challenges in projects achieving grant outcomes. Cultivate relationships and touchpoints across the enterprise, including with tax, accounting, and legal advisors, to ensure grantmaking activities, operational goals, and overall strategic priorities are integrated, aligned, and on track.
Landscaping and External Engagement. Stay current and identify novel, impactful, and transformative work across medical research and scientific domains. Cultivate strong relationships with researchers, academics, and stakeholders in key issue areas of interest. Create linkages that add value to the field. As the practice grows, oversee advisory groups, convenings, and other activities as appropriate to enable the field to collaborate towards a common purpose. Participate in conferences, seminars, and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance expertise and strengthen networking in the field.
kEY QUALIFICATIONS
At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in senior roles in philanthropy, grantmaking, and/or philanthropic advising and consulting.
Prior experience working directly with high-net-worth individuals and principal donors on their philanthropic interests. Skilled in researching and guiding philanthropic exploration and implementation across multiple issues in collaboration with key family members and internal stakeholders.
A substantive background in medical research and advocacy focusing on neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease is essential. A strong, relevant network and an understanding of key research organizations and institutions in medical research are also important.
Prior grantmaking experience in these domain areas is highly preferred. Previous experience working with a research group or scientific research initiative in an academic, government, non-profit, or business setting is helpful.
A strong interest in a breadth of scientific disciplines, the ability to synthesize information and ideas across diverse scientific issues, and quickly come up to speed in new areas.
A stellar project manager with a demonstrated initiative and the ability to plan and think strategically about program design and implementation, manage large projects and budgets, set realistic goals and objectives, and effectively balance multiple priorities.
A sophisticated understanding of how to evaluate prospective grantee organizations programmatically, scientifically, and financially through comprehensive due diligence analysis and processes.
Exceptional analytical, written, and verbal skills and highly developed interpersonal and collaboration skills. A skilled communicator and facilitator who can work equally well with family members, other internal and external partners, and grantee partners.
Skilled at working independently and within a team, demonstrating a high degree of initiative, flexibility, and collaboration.
Highly ethical. Exercises good judgment and discretion.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to travel locally and nationally (up to 15-20%) to achieve client goals.
Undergraduate degree required. Relevant advanced degree preferred.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time, exempt position. Fremont offers highly competitive compensation packages commensurate with related work experience and education. The compensation range for this position is $245,000 - $275,000, plus an annual discretionary bonus.
Fremont also offers excellent benefits for eligible employees available on the date of hire. Current benefits include but are not limited to medical (PPO, HMO, and HDHPs); dental and vision coverage; 401(k) with 5% employer match plus an annual employer contribution; life insurance; disability insurance; HSA contribution when enrolled in HDHP; Flexible Savings Account (FSA); dependent care account; transit/parking assistance; flexible time off/vacation (no caps); paid medical leave; 20 weeks of paid parental leave; a generous child care stipend for qualified families; infertility benefit; an employee assistance program (EAP) including access to financial advice, mental health services, and health advocacy services, and ongoing education assistance. In support of our organization’s core values, Fremont offers paid time off to volunteer for nonprofit organizations and direct grants and matching grants for employee contributions to tax-exempt organizations. Fremont Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
TO APPLY
Martha Montag Brown & Associates, LLC has been retained for this search. Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the candidate portal below. Questions can be sent to search@marthamontagbrown.com.
All correspondence will remain confidential.
