Program Officer

The Klarman Family Foundation

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY
 
The Klarman Family Foundation is thrilled to announce they are now seeking applications and nominations for a Program Officer. This position is ideal for a generalist who will thrive in contributing to several areas of grantmaking. With the Foundation strategically and thoughtfully granting out $117MM last year, this is an exciting and unique opportunity to advance impact in the charitable sector.
 
ABOUT THE KLARMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
 
At The Klarman Family Foundation, we seek to identify areas of unmet need and to advance solutions to addressing them. We believe passionately in the promise and importance of creative thinking, strategic leadership and strong organizations to help bring about change. Our intention is to help people thrive in vibrant and healthy communities. 
 
The Foundation is guided by the following principles and values:

  • We approach our work both with a seriousness of purpose and evaluative rigor, and also with an openness to tackle issues in new ways and the flexibility to make adjustments along the way.
  • Because society’s problems seem to be compounding rapidly, we approach our work with a sense of urgency and willingness to invest based on the opportunities to make a difference rather than the limits of an annual grant-making budget.
  • We believe that the preservation of democratic norms lies at the core of all of our work.
  • We value acting in partnership with other funders. We view these relationships as opportunities to learn and leverage greater impact. We apply what we learn to improve our philanthropic practices and outcomes.
 
The Foundation’s grantmaking spans several areas of interest. The issues we are addressing are complicated, requiring new and creative thinking and persistence over time. As we are committed to learning and assessing our impact, these categories and our specific strategies within them will evolve. Our dedication to applying best practices in philanthropy will remain unchanged.
 
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE PROGRAM OFFICER
 
Reporting to the Director, Civic Initiatives, the Program Officer (PO) holds a generalist role with responsibility for furthering the Foundation’s grantmaking across several areas, including national-level work to strengthen civic life and place-based work in Massachusetts. The Program Officer will join a highly collaborative program team committed to continuous learning, partnership building, and problem solving, helping to realize the power of philanthropy as a critical lever for change. This is a team of lifelong learners, exploring complex issues and how best to translate learning into effective philanthropy. Biased towards action and eager to engage across multiple program areas, the PO will bring intellectual humility, curiosity to learn about new areas, flexibility, and a team-based approach to working with internal and external stakeholders.
 
The essential responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
 
Grantmaking
  • Work both independently and collaboratively to research, review, and monitor grants. Note, grantmaking responsibilities will evolve over time based on future Foundation needs and opportunities. Presently this includes:
    • Conduct thorough grant review and ongoing monitoring of existing and new grants. This includes reviewing large established institutions and early-stage and small organizations. Grantmaking requires the ability to thoroughly analyze organizations’ strategies, financials, leadership and governance, programs, and operations.
    • Produce clear and concise written recommendations, including narrative and financial analysis. 
    • Participate in and occasionally lead meetings with organizations and serve as grantees’ primary point of contact with the Foundation.
    • Ensure clear and appropriate capture of data and knowledge related to grants.
  • Possess a strong understanding of grantmaking and the ability to contextualize grants within the Foundation’s big picture goals. Monitor and learn from grantees and broader fields on an ongoing basis, assessing the overall effectiveness of grants as a whole.
  • Possess an adaptive approach, including an ability to respond quickly and comprehensively to evolving needs and opportunities, ranging from rapid response to important one-time opportunities. Eagerly step-in to support grantmaking and research across issue areas as needed.
  • Consider and explore a full range of tools and approaches to complement traditional grantmaking (e.g., commissioning research, convenings, etc.).
 
Cross-Organizational and Program Team Projects
  • Partner as a strong utility player who can contribute as a strategic thinker, researcher, grant maker, and external foundation representative across a range of issue areas (e.g., Democracy, Music Pathways) as needed.
  • Participate in other cross-program teamwork (e.g., program team and program-area specific teams).
  • Other projects and assignments to be determined.
 
External Collaboration and Partnerships
  • Serve as a bridge builder, developing generative relationships with a range of key stakeholders holding diverse viewpoints. At the same time, initiate ways to extend those relationships beyond the individual connection to strengthening the relationship with the Foundation as a whole.
  • Participate in conferences, affinity networks, and meetings with thought leaders, actively advancing the Foundation’s learning, networks, and impact, while also confidently representing and bringing the Foundation’s voice into these spaces.
  • Represent the Foundation in partnerships and pooled funds that advance the Foundation’s drive toward large-scale impact. Proactively elevate questions and learnings emerging from partnerships to colleagues.
  • Cultivate connections with Foundation partners and stakeholders, surfacing shared pragmatic solutions. Balance empathetic listening while remaining steadfast in holding sound judgment and representing the Foundation’s values and grantmaking practices.

Learning and Assessment
  • Produce written materials and presentations regularly for staff, program team, and trustee meetings. Utilize writing, presentations, and facilitated conversations to keep the team and trustees informed of current work and help advance further learning and action.
  • Serve as a partner in advancing the overall development, learning, and refinement of the Foundation’s work across a range of areas.
  • Possess a natural curiosity across a range of issues, serving as a point person for ongoing learning in areas the Foundation is driving toward or has an interest in. Share learning and connection-making with the program team. Communicate key findings and provide clear analysis to colleagues and listen openly for other points of view to help inform shared understanding.
  • Build and maintain the Foundation’s knowledge base about issues and ecosystems; Analyze and stay well informed on critical research, news, and trends related to the Foundation’s interests. Continually scan fields, follow key developments and debates, attend conferences/meetings, and keep abreast of academic and popular literature.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The Klarman Family Foundation recognizes that a person’s skills and competencies can be gleaned in many ways, including life experience. If you do not meet all the qualifications listed, you are still encouraged to apply for this position.
 
Ideal candidates will be team players and problem solvers with the capacity to build and manage relationships toward Foundation goals. As an external bridge between grantee partners and stakeholders, and colleagues within the Foundation, the PO will have the presence and confidence to facilitate conversations to gather points of view, welcoming differing perspectives and making sound recommendations. A willingness to constructively engage in organizational priorities beyond the immediate focus of the program team, flexibility, and experience and comfort with periods of organizational ambiguity are highly desirable.
 
Core competencies include:

  • At least 7 to 10 years of professional experience, ideally with some experience related to nonprofits or philanthropy.
  • Professional experience assessing organizational leadership, strategy, and financial position (e.g., through grantmaking, consulting, or program management).
  • Experience distilling complex information to form opinions and make sound recommendations.
  • Exceptional quantitative and qualitative analytic skills; curiosity and commitment to continuous learning. Professional experience in research, learning and evaluation a plus. 
  • Excellent analytical and communication skills: ability to quickly gather, synthesize and summarize information in a clear and jargon-free manner in written and oral communications.
  • Experienced bridge builder: ability to work productively across lines of difference, demonstrating deep, active listening skills, willingness to challenge own assumptions and openness to find and forge common ground opportunities for collaboration, especially when it seems elusive.
  • Highly developed project management skills, including a proven ability to stay organized, prioritize, manage time, handle pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to foster a healthy culture of feedback by both delivering constructive criticism and demonstrating an openness to receiving it.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to develop relationships with diverse communities and nonprofit and philanthropic leaders.
  • Sound professional judgment, objectivity, humility, and appreciation for nuance.
  • Discretion and sensitivity for working in the context of a family foundation.
  • Flexibility, sense of humor, creativity, and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities in a changing landscape and in a growing organization.
  • Willingness to travel for site visits and other meetings regionally and nationally.
 
WORK LOCATION, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
 
Work Location: This position is based in The Klarman Family Foundation’s Boston office, which currently operates on a hybrid schedule. The expectation is that the Program Officer will be in-office at least three (3) days per week, including Wednesdays, when the whole team is in the office. Travel to conferences may be expected. 
 
Salary and Benefits: The salary range for this exempt position is expected to be in the $115,000 - $130,000 range, depending on prior experience and skills. Comprehensive benefits for this position include generous paid time off, health, dental, and vision insurance with a flexible spending account and dependent care benefits, a transit account, and a 403(b)-retirement plan. The Foundation is committed to professional growth and development for all employees, and to the continued learning and practice required as an organization to build and foster a workplace where all feel as though they belong.
 
TO APPLY
 
More information about The Klarman Family Foundation may be found at: www.klarmanfoundation.org/.
 
This search is being led by Rachel Burgoyne and Ashley Jones of NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly 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 Klarman Family Foundation does not discriminate against applicants based on age, culture, race, color, religion, national or regional origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or other status protected by law.