Senior Program Officer

The Neubauer Family Foundation (NFF) invites
applications and nominations for its Senior Program Officer (SPO)
role.

Founded in 1998, NFF invests in people and data-driven,
evidence-based initiatives intended to achieve transformational
impact. Philanthropic initiatives include strategic investments in
Philadelphia’s school system and community safety, innovative
leadership of arts & cultural organizations, institutions of
higher learning and advancing new opportunities for Arab-Israelis
to participate in Israel’s high prestige scientific revolution. NFF
partners with organizations and institutions that have sound
vision, fiscal discipline, coherent implementation plans, and
metrics to measure progress.

Based in Philadelphia, the SPO will develop, implement, and
manage an active portfolio of grants initially focusing on
initiatives related to K-12 education (school leadership, arts, and
high school improvement), but will act as a generalist and will be
required to remain flexible and to adapt to new content work across
a range of issue areas. The SPO will possess a strategic,
systems-thinking mindset, strong communication and relational
skills, and excellent project management skills to effectively
implement strategic initiatives.

The SPO will join a dynamic team of five and work in a
fast-paced environment that requires a team-based,
results-oriented, and entrepreneurial style. The SPO will report to
the Executive Director (ED) and work closely with other members of
the NFF team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop Program Strategy to Advance the Foundation’s
Interests

Working in close partnership with the ED and the Board of
Trustees, the SPO will help identify unique leverage points that
enable NFF’s investments to create transformational, systems-level
change. The SPO will draw from a systems-level and strategic
mindset to:

• Monitor and identify emerging trends for issues that are
  relevant to NFF and where the Foundation’s leadership and resources
  may have a unique impact.
• Analyze data and prepare internal written summaries to track
  and assess current and emerging issues for potential
  investments.
• Conduct landscape scans that identify innovative and effective
  local and national models to scale, replicate, or adapt.
• Conceptualize new and refine existing programmatic strategy
  with guidance and input from NFF’s leadership.
• Conduct due diligence of potential partners and identify
  resources and personnel needed to execute program strategy.
• Develop and execute tactical work plans in various stages of
  initiative development, implementation, and sustainability.
• Prepare written and other necessary materials that summarize
  strategic issues and decisions for consideration of the Board of
  Trustees.
• Independently research, develop, draft, edit and proofread
  written materials such as memos, reports, research summaries,
  policy analyses, correspondence, and other materials.

Uphold Strong Evaluation, Learning, and Continuous
Improvement Practices

The SPO will demonstrate facility with measurement and
evaluation methods to assess NFF’s and grantee partner impact. The
SPO will bring a commitment to learning and impact to:

• Define measurable goals and identify methods for quantifying
  impact with reference to current research studies and
  findings.
• Lead the development of evaluation plans, working in
  conjunction with external evaluators as needed, and monitor grantee
  progress against goals.
• Prepare and present regular oral and written reports related to
  systems-level issues and progress within NFF’s strategic
  investments.

Build Relationships with Grantees, Community Partners,
and Other Stakeholders

The Senior Program Officer will build and broker relationships
with a variety of stakeholders and enhance the Foundation’s
connection to relevant issues. The SPO will bring a service and
relationship-oriented approach to:

• Develop and manage partnerships with a broad base of relevant
  stakeholders.
• Communicate regularly with grantees, project partners, and
  funders of aligned efforts.
• Organize and facilitate convenings that enable the Foundation
  and other partners to understand the root causes of issues
  impacting Philadelphia.
• Act as an ambassador of NFF’s mission in stakeholder meetings
  and community convenings.

Steward the Foundation’s Resources

The SPO will join a small, dynamic team who maintains a close
relationship with grantees throughout the grant life cycle. The SPO
will work closely with current and potential grantees and tap a
detail-oriented project management skill set to:

• Evaluate project budgets to ensure they are highly
  cost-effective.
• Draft grant agreements and conduct other grant administration
  required to initiate and maintain a grant partnership.
• Engage in clear and ongoing communications with staff and
  grantees, translate technical grant issues into easily understood
  terms and manage expectations.
• Ensure excellent stewardship of the Neubauer Family
  Foundation’s funds and maximum impact.
• Manage contracts and consultants (as needed).

Uphold a Strong Team Culture

The SPO will be an important member of a small, active team and
will work across organizational functions to benefit the
Foundation’s work and internal culture. As a team player, the SPO
will:

• Participate in Foundation internal meetings, discussions, and
  team building to build and uphold a strong, collaborative team
  culture.
• Provide capacity and support to Foundation-wide initiatives and
  events as needed.
• Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications
enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the
following professional and personal abilities, attributes,
qualifications, and experiences:

Abilities and Attributes

• Demonstrates an entrepreneurial mindset and an ability to work
  in a fast-paced environment.
• Capable of working both independently with minimal direction
  and in collaborative team environments to achieve goals.
• Has an action-oriented style and is a self-starter.
• Takes a systems view of issues and opportunities; plans
  strategically and offers innovative solutions to challenging
  problems.
• Remains flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.
• Demonstrates curiosity and interest in issues spanning multiple
  content areas.
• Exhibits a strong focus on goals and results, including a track
  record of meeting or exceeding goals with a strong sense
  responsibility and accountability for outcomes.
• Develops, articulates, and builds buy-in internally and
  externally towards a clear vision.
• Motivates, inspires, and moves others to action to achieve
  ambitious goals.
• Builds positive relationships with diverse stakeholders and
  maintains a service orientation; maintains a diplomatic and low-ego
  approach to working with others.
• Communicates effectively in both written and verbal
  communication for a variety of stakeholders; can adapt
  communication style for different audiences as needed.
• Maintains a positive attitude and a sense of humor.

Desired Qualifications and Experience

• 7-10 years of professional work experience in a fast-paced
  environment (required).
• Bachelor’s degree (required).
• Experience working within the nonprofit sector (required) and
  foundation experience (preferred).
• Knowledge of Philadelphia-area issues and social sector
  landscape (preferred).
• Research and analytical skills, including the ability to
  distill large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the
  essence of an issue.
• Excellent project management and implementation skills; works
  efficiently, maintains attention to detail, and is able to plan,
  multi-task, adapt, and balance requests from many
  stakeholders.
• Excellent computer skills including spreadsheet and database
  applications and word processing software skills; the ability to
  create, generate and modify documents using the applications.
• Ability to conduct research on the Internet.
• Salesforce experience strongly preferred and ability to learn
  software specific to the Foundation.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The starting salary range for this position is $130,000 –
$160,000 annually.

NFF offers a generous benefits package that includes health and
dental coverage, a funded HSA, 401k matching program, paid time
off, holiday office closures, transportation/parking benefits,
employee donation matching, and other generous benefits.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

In Person Work Expectations

This is a full-time role that will be performed from the
Foundation’s office on Monday-Friday each week. Occasional
attendance at Foundation or community events on evenings or
weekends will be required.

Travel

Travel within the local Philadelphia region will be required on
an as-needed basis, with occasional travel outside of the region
for Foundation-related events or meetings.

COVID-19 Safety

To maintain a safe and healthy workplace for all staff, COVID-19
vaccination is strongly encouraged.

TO APPLY

This search is being led by Allison
Kupfer Poteet and Stephanie Guidry of
NPAG. Due to the pace of this
search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest
and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.

The Neubauer Family Foundation is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.