Program Officer, Postsecondary

Steans Family Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Steans Family Foundation seeks a Program Officer, Postsecondary to lead efforts that strengthen college and workforce pathways for historically under-resourced students in North Chicago. The role requires strategic vision and hands-on execution, with collaboration across high schools, colleges, CBOs, and funders.

You will manage a grantmaking portfolio, oversee program implementation, and use data to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the postsecondary landscape and equity-focused interventions.
• Experience partnering with high schools, colleges, CBOs, and funders to advance initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategies to strengthen college and workforce pathways for under-resourced students in North Chicago.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive equitable postsecondary strategy.
• Partner with high schools, colleges, CBOs, and funders to align initiatives across sectors.
• Manage grantmaking portfolio, monitor outcomes, and use data for continuous improvement.

Job description

The Program Officer, Postsecondary will lead efforts to strengthen college and workforce pathways, ensuring improved access, persistence, and completion for historically under-resourced students from North Chicago. Reporting to the Co-Managing Directors—North Chicago, the Program Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy that advances equitable postsecondary opportunities and success. This role requires both strategic vision and hands-on execution. The Program Officer will partner with high schools, colleges, community-based organizations, and other funders to identify barriers, design interventions, and ensure alignment across initiatives. The Program Officer will manage a grantmaking portfolio, oversee program implementation, monitor outcomes, and use data to drive continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a collaborator who brings deep knowledge of the postsecondary landscape, experience with diverse student populations, and the ability to build strong partnerships across sectors. This person will play a key role in shaping and advancing initiatives that support students to persist and complete a degree or credential and access clear pathways from high school into college or the workforce leading to a meaningful career.