Program Officer, Education to Career

The Boston Foundation

Job Description

 The Boston Foundation believes that one of the great strengths of the Greater Boston community is the rich diversity of its residents in race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age and physical abilities. The Foundation seeks to enhance and support that diversity, not only by its grant making, but also by adopting and implementing employment policies and practices designed to recognize and respond to such diversity.
 
The Boston Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience. 
 
All applications should be submitted online. Go to https://www.tbf.org/who-we-are/careers and select “Program Officer, Education to Career” to complete our online application process.
 
Job Description
 
Title: Program Officer, Education to Career
Department: Programs
Reports To: Assistant Director, Education to Career
FLSA Classification: Exempt   FTE: 1
Supervises: None
 
Position Summary:
The Program Officer, Education to Career supports the implementation of the Foundation’s education strategies, particularly related to postsecondary completion. The Program Officer also contributes significantly to the development and implementation of emerging education and health & wellness strategies in support of increasing students’ access to high-quality education, training, and resources they will need to succeed in our region.
 
Essential Functions:
  • Contributes significantly to the implementation of the Foundation’s postsecondary completion strategies, including both Success Boston and its community college work-based learning strategy. Support the Assistant Director in the development and implementation of new strategies for secondary and postsecondary success;
  • Lead the Success Boston coaches’ network, which provides monthly professional development for 30+ local college access and success coaches and advisors. Convene the Success Boston Student Leadership Council to inform the initiative’s strategy and activities;
  • Actively manage partnerships with nonprofit organizations, key local higher education institutions, and the Boston Public Schools to ensure smooth and effective implementation of coaching;
  • Manage the data and analytic operations of the Success Boston coaching network, including its Salesforce database management;
  • Oversee the grants review and due diligence process for education related-grant requests and full proposal reviews, in partnership with and under the supervision of the Assistant Director and the Associate Vice President;
  • Organize and coordinate regular convenings and key networks of external partners, including grantees and non-grantee organizations, higher education representatives, researchers, funders, and students. Serves as key liaison to internal and external partners in planning and implementing events;
  • Oversee education-related research projects, and conduct as-needed analysis of key Foundation initiatives, especially related to the postsecondary completion strategy. Conduct data gathering, research, and analysis for special projects;
  • Produce written updates, bog posts, articles, and other materials on the education strategies, key issues facing the community, and the work of the Foundation’s grantees for internal and external distribution;
  • Manage initiative budgets and prepare budget and grant reports, as needed;  
  • Develop written materials to support program work, as needed, including policy memos, grants due diligence, reports, and budgets for activities and projects in the Programs Department;
  • Prepare departmental reports as needed, including reports to the Board of Directors; and
  • Participate in various other Programs Department activities as needed.
 
Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Individuals assigned to this position may perform other duties as assigned.
 
Qualifications
 
Preparation, Knowledge, Previous Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree or relevant equivalent experience required; 
  • Master’s or relevant equivalent experience preferred;
  • Understanding of the postsecondary education landscape in Boston and Massachusetts, highly preferred; and
  • 5-7 years of relevant working experience required.
 
Skills, Abilities, Competencies:
  • General knowledge of K-12 and postsecondary education issues; specific knowledge of Boston’s education ecosystem a plus;
  • Demonstrated broad knowledge and successful experience in project management;
  • Demonstrated above average attention to detail;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team;
  • Demonstrated ability to manage diverse stakeholders inclusively and diplomatically; and
  • Proven ability to manage the demands of a fast paced and highly productive workplace.
 
Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
  • Ability to work at workstation for long periods of time;
  • Ability to use a computer keyboard for long periods of time; and
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 10 lbs..
 
The content is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job.  It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
 
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents, who are or become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act or applicable state law, must be able to perform the essential functions of the job (including those listed above) either with or without reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation, if any, will be determined by management in consultation with the employee on a case-by-case basis.
 
This job description is intended to be general and may be revised from time to time.  At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different or additional duties from time to time.
 
Revised 6-2021