Associate Program Officer

Spencer Foundation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Program Officer to support grant-making and research initiatives. This hybrid role involves evaluating grant proposals, communicating with stakeholders, and representing the Foundation at conferences. The ideal candidate will have a PhD or EdD focused on education research, strong quantitative research skills, and a commitment to equity and collaboration. Join a friendly and inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages professional growth. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in education research and policy.

Benefits

Employer-funded health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible spending accounts

Paid time off

Professional development

Hybrid work schedule

Qualifications

• PhD or EdD required with focus on education research.
• Expertise in advanced quantitative research methods.

Responsibilities

• Support evaluation process for grant programs and proposals.
• Communicate with the field about the Foundation’s mission.

Skills

Quantitative research methods

Communication skills

Analytic skills

Project management

Collaboration

Education

PhD or EdD in Education or Social Science

Job description

The Spencer Foundation is dedicated to advancing education through the funding of research that addresses critical questions and opportunities in education. We support research that is rigorous, intellectually ambitious, and that supports equitable education systems in order to cultivate learning and transform lives.

Job Summary

The Associate Program Officer (APO) reports to the Director of Programs and plays a crucial role in supporting the Foundation’s grant-making and research initiatives. This position involves working closely with Foundation staff to review and manage grant proposals and programs and participate in funding decision-making. APO’s also help represent the Foundation at professional conferences and meetings. This is a 4-year termed position.

Essential Job Functions

• In partnership with the program team, supports the evaluation process for grant programs and proposals to make funding decisions in alignment with the Foundation’s goals.
• Communicates regularly with the field about the Foundation’s mission, grant programs, and the specifics of proposals.
• Helps to plan and organize convenings on important topics at the intersection of research, policy, and practice.
• Helps to represent Spencer at meetings, conferences, and outreach activities to promote the Foundation’s mission and initiatives.
• Participates in the development of systems for capturing data from Spencer-sponsored research grantmaking.

Education and Experience

• PhD or EdD with a substantial focus on research in education or related social science field required.
• Expertise in advanced quantitative research methods, for example, RCT’s, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables, propensity score matching, Structural Equation Modeling, or hierarchical linear modeling. This could include utilizing these methods to study topical areas such as higher education, assessment, or disability studies.
• Strong research and analytic skills; evidence of continued engagement with scholarly work and an active program of research.
  Competencies
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) with a high attention to detail and organization.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines to ensure timely delivery of projects in a busy, deadline-driven environment
• Excels at collaborative work and contributes positively and effectively to team efforts.
• Adept at handling confidential matters with sound judgment and discretion.
• Interest in supporting the scholarship of others.
• Commitment to equity & belonging.

Physical/Sensory and Environmental Requirements

• This position is a hybrid role, with mandatory two (2) days per week in the office. Additional in-office days may be required. This schedule is subject to change.
• A significant amount of time is spent doing detailed computer work either sitting or standing. The primary repetitive motion in which the incumbent is engaged is keyboarding.
• Visual and auditory acuity required.

Pay and Benefits
Pay range: $88,000 - $113,000

Benefits:
Employer-funded insurance: health, dental, vision, life, disability
Employer-funded 403(b) contributions
Matching-Gift Program
Tuition and Student Loan Reimbursement
Flexible Spending Accounts
Commuter Benefit Program
Paid Time off: vacation, personal, sick and holidays
Professional Development/Conference Attendance
Research Days and individual budget
Employer-funded mentor
Hybrid work schedule

Working at Spencer

At Spencer, we cultivate a professional, friendly, and collaborative work environment that encourages high-quality work and values the unique contributions of each team member. We believe in the capability, dependability, and value of our colleagues, providing them with the resources they need to excel in their roles. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applicants of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical disability, family or parental status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or length of time spent unemployed.