Program Officer (PFS)

Pacific Foundation Services, LLC; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Foundation Services, LLC (PFS) is a professional services firm that manages more than 35 foundations, handling grantmaking, compliance, financial management and board support. The Program Officer will manage day‑to‑day relationships with applicants and grantees, perform due diligence, and contribute to strategy and evaluation.

The role is full‑time and exempt, reporting to the Vice President of Engagement and Program Services.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in nonprofit/philanthropy
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to analyze financial reports and budgets
• Experience engaging with applicants and grantees
• Ability to travel and work cross‑functionally
• Knowledge of Bay Area nonprofit landscape

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with applicants and grantees throughout the grant process
• Respond to inquiries about guidelines and processes
• Identify new potential grantees and provide technical assistance
• Conduct due diligence on organizations and proposals
• Prepare summaries and grant amount recommendations for board
• Present proposals at board meetings
• Collaborate with senior program staff on strategy and initiatives
• Represent the foundation to external partners at events and meetings
• Attend or organize community-building events with partners
• Maintain knowledge base for program areas
• Handle special projects and own correspondence and scheduling

Skills

Nonprofit experience

Bay Area knowledge

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Team collaboration

Interpersonal empathy

Stakes management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Pacific Foundation Services, LLC (PFS) is a professional services firm that manages more than 35 separate and independent family foundations. We provide whatever a foundation needs to operate optimally, including strategic advice, board support, grantmaking programs, compliance, financial management and a physical home. With a current staff of over 30, we value competence and camaraderie and work together to make the most of our collective experience. We thrive on collaboration and share our talents to provide top-level service to our clients. The person hired for this position will work for several client foundations.

The Program Officer provides day-to-day management of relationships with applicants and grantees throughout the grant process. The Program Officer performs due diligence on applicant organizations and participates in grantmaking planning, strategy and evaluation. This position is full-time, exempt, and reports to the Vice President of Engagement and Program Services.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day management of relationships with applicants and grantees throughout the grant process, including responding to routine written and phone inquiries about guidelines;
• Identify potential new grantees, develop and sustain strong working relationships with current grantees, and offer technical assistance as appropriate;
• Perform due diligence on organizations and grant proposals: site visits as appropriate, review and analysis of financial data, assessment of capacity, and alignment with priorities;
• Prepare proposal summaries and grant amount recommendations consistent with foundation’s grantmaking guidelines for board review and action;
• Make presentations describing organizations, projects and/or proposals at board meetings;
• Work collaboratively with foundation teams, including senior leadership, grants management, and finance team members, on all aspects of the grantmaking process;
• Collaborate with senior program staff on grantmaking planning and strategy, including developing and implementing new initiatives and creative ways to serve the needs of the community;
• Represent foundation externally when meeting with organizations, giving presentations or attending events and conferences;
• Attend and/or plan community-building events for nonprofit organizations and/or other foundations and philanthropic partners to convene, network, and/or train together;
• Develop and maintain a knowledge base for relevant program areas and communities;
• Special projects as assigned; and
• Responsible for producing own correspondence, managing calendar, editing and proofreading, as needed.

Skills and Attributes Needed

• At least five years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector, preferably a combination of nonprofit and philanthropic work;
• Knowledge of the Bay Area nonprofit community;
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to conduct research, organize report material, and clearly translate content and data into accessible language;
• Ability to read and effectively analyze nonprofit financial reports and budgets;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to represent foundation clients to the community at large, maintaining strong partnerships with nonprofit and foundation partners;
• Demonstrated ability to develop expertise in new program areas, as needed;
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment;
• Adept at working with people from diverse backgrounds, including staff of grantee organizations, client boards of directors, high net worth donors, and those with divergent political and world views;
• Empathy and respect for those who do the hard work of developing and raising money for programs and organizations;
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and discretion about confidential matters;
• Demonstrated commitment to PFS values of generosity, respect, integrity, inclusion, commitment and humility;
• Experience with Microsoft Office and ability to perform basic data search, entry and analysis functions on common database programs; and
• Access to a personal vehicle (car is needed for site visits).

Location

PFS has offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto and Santa Rosa. This position may be based in either our San Francisco or Palo Alto office, although regular travel between the San Francisco and Palo Alto offices for meetings will be required.

Compensation

PFS offers a competitive salary of $105,000 – $115,000 (commensurate with experience) and a comprehensive benefits package.