Program Officer - Special Opportunities

Choosing a career with ECMC Group means joining a nonprofit corporation with a mission to help students succeed. With a vibrant mission and values, great benefits, and strong community involvement, ECMC Group companies are an ideal team to join.

 

Job Summary

ECMC Foundation's mission is to inspire and facilitate improvements that affect educational outcomes—especially among underserved populations—through evidence-based innovation. The Foundation makes investments in two focus areas: College Success and Career Readiness. Our office is located in downtown Los Angeles; however, the work you will be a part of will impact students and adult learners all across the nation. This position is focused specifically on the Special Opportunities portfolio which supports cross-cutting work and identifies areas of particular impact and opportunity consistent with the focus of the Foundation. ECMC Foundation is a part of ECMC Group, which is based in Minneapolis. Choosing a career with ECMC Group means joining a nonprofit corporation with a mission to help students succeed. With a vibrant mission and values, great benefits, and strong community involvement, ECMC Group organizations are an ideal team to join.

As a member of the program team, the Special Opportunities Program Officer will undertake a range of tasks, including but not limited to assisting in the development and ongoing management of special initiatives, performing due diligence on requests for funding, conducting site visits, writing proposal summaries, managing grantee and applicant relationships, maintaining paper and database records, reviewing financial statements, providing technical assistance and conducting research on higher education topics.

 

*Please include a cover letter with your application*

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and management of multiple strategic initiatives including the Transformational Partnerships Fund
• Develop, review, analyze, and provide written summaries of grant proposals that fit within the ECMC Foundation Special Opportunities portfolio
• Conduct due diligence of potential grantee partners, including analysis of financial information, site visits, and interviews with other funders and relevant stakeholders
• Oversee consistent grant monitoring and reporting, including the review of progress reports and maintenance of regular communication with grantees
• Assist in the design and implementation of processes and systems which contribute to key strategy and portfolio management decisions
• Review and refine portfolio outcomes and indicators periodically and collect and analyze this data for all grants within the portfolio
• Maintain expertise in areas relevant to the education field and policy reform efforts that impact these issues nationwide
• Conduct research and present findings to internal and external audiences in both oral and written presentations on selected higher education topics
• Partner with subject matter leaders to develop communications strategies including but not limited to social media, blog posts, and press releases. Manage the evaluation of each strategy or grant, and present at conferences and convenings to disseminating learnings
• Oversee and manage identifying, contracting and collaborating with consultants hired to assist with initiatives or other grant priorities
• Develop relationships with other funders, experts and stakeholders to support the work of initiatives and other grant priorities
• Promote collaboration and learning across ECMC Foundation grantees and other stakeholders and, as appropriate, plan, coordinate and lead grantee or stakeholder convenings, using these opportunities to engage the education community and increase Foundation impact
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

 

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in higher education
• Ability to prepare and give presentations, and to comfortably interact with diverse audiences, including Board members, civic and education leaders, and nonprofit and community groups

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep experience and knowledge of issues impacting low-income and underserved populations in postsecondary education
• Work experience in philanthropy
• Knowledge of nonprofit organizations, including their organizational development, finances and capacity to run programs
• Knowledge of institutions of higher education, including their internal structures, finances and capacity to deliver key educational services
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing external environments, and willingness to develop and implement new strategies in response, often under pressure  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

ECMC Group is committed to ensuring our diverse, inclusive and equitable culture is built on a strong sense of belonging, where everyone feels seen, heard and encouraged to show up as their authentic-self.