Program Officer, Regional

FIDELITY FOUNDATIONS; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Fidelity Foundations seeks a Program Officer to develop, manage, and evaluate a portfolio of philanthropic investments focused on capacity-building in select regions. You will understand local context, contribute to strategy, and cultivate potential grantees, representing the Foundations to grantees, external stakeholders, and communities.

The role requires 8+ years of experience with strong analytical and communication skills, and a collaborative, confidential approach.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of related work experience.
• Experience in philanthropy or non-profit management is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and due-diligence capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Gain a deep understanding of your region’s context and develop responsive grants aligned to a defined sector strategy.
• Participate in and contribute to the research agenda and strategy development with Insights and Impact team.
• Evaluate grant effectiveness against stated objectives and overall portfolio effectiveness.
• Identify and cultivate potential grant opportunities by initiating and managing relationships with potential grantees.
• Work to assess and advance promising proposals and organizations by conducting due diligence through site visits, in-depth material reviews, financial analysis, and other activities.
• Steward relationships with active and past grantees by maintaining regular communication and providing thought partnership.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excellent communication

Relationship building

Strategic thinking

Job description

The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private foundations that fund a diverse set of programs on a national scale. The Foundations are committed to advancing the long-term vibrancy of communities through capacity-building investments in non-profits from across arts and culture, education, conservation, medical science, and economic opportunity. We have a deep history of funding organizations in Boston and New England for over 50 years. We also support non-profits that strengthen the communities in other regions of the country where Fidelity Investments employees live and work.

Today, the Foundations are at an important and exciting stage in our organizational history, having grown and evolved in recent years. As our strategies and organization continue to develop, we are seeking individuals with skills and expertise that support the advancement and execution of a long-term portfolio of significant and strategic philanthropic investments.

As a capacity-building funder, the Foundations seek to make catalytic, lasting investments in non-profits at strategic inflection points and support projects that substantially enhance their impact and sustainability. Our values of excellence, integrity, respect, collaboration, and a deep sense of humility guide our grantmaking which is executed quietly, and most grants carry external anonymity.

Through its regional program, Fidelity Foundations make grants to non-profits across its sector focus areas. Fidelity Foundations prioritizes its regional, place-based giving in 10 communities across the United States in the following locations: Albuquerque, NM; Covington, KY/Cincinnati, OH; Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX; Denver, CO; Jacksonville, FL; Jersey City, NJ; Merrimack, NH; Raleigh/Durham, NC; Salt Lake City, UT; and Smithfield, RI.

Learn more about one of our Foundations at: www.fidelityfoundation.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

As a member of the Fidelity Foundations' regional program staff, the Program Officer will be responsible for developing, managing, and evaluating a portfolio of philanthropic investments focused on capacity-building in a few select regions. The incumbent will deeply understand the local context, contribute to strategy development, and actively cultivate and assess potential investments. They will represent the Fidelity Foundations and its Trustees to existing and prospective grantees, external stakeholders, and community members. The Program Officer will also participate in programmatic efforts that cut across grant portfolios and support organization-wide learning. This position reports to the Program Director, Regional. The essential job responsibilities include:

• Gain a deep understanding of your sector or region’s context and develop responsive and impactful grants aligned to a defined sector strategy
• Participate in and contribute to the research agenda and strategy development in collaboration with the Foundations' Insights and Impact team
• Evaluate grant effectiveness against stated objectives and overall portfolio effectiveness
• Identify and cultivate potential grant opportunities by initiating and managing relationships with potential grantees and other prospecting activities
• Work to assess and advance promising proposals and organizations by conducting due diligence through site visits, in-depth material reviews, financial analysis, and other activities
• Steward relationships with active and past grantees by maintaining regular communication, offering thought partnership, and serving as a trusted resource throughout the grant cycle and beyond.
• Maintain an active calendar of networking and learning sessions with leading sector experts, nonprofit partners, and peer foundations
• Follow media and literature to stay abreast of nonprofit trends and best practices, and attend relevant conferences to broaden knowledge

Presence & Communication

• Develop and refine proposal requests, and prepare detailed written analyses and grant recommendations for senior management and Trustee approval
• Communicate clearly and flexibly adapting to the audience, turning new input into actionable next steps, and showing strong presence and engagement in meetings.
• Support grant administrative processes, including inputting relevant and timely information into grants management system

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

It is critically important that the Program Officer be a highly collaborative and collegial team player who listens and communicates well.

To be considered, candidates will possess a majority of the following professional and personal attributes and competencies:

A minimum of 8 years of related work; experience in philanthropy or non-profit management is strongly preferred, but not required

Analytical skills and experience, particularly in conducting basic financial analysis and due diligence for organizations and capacity-building projects

Excellent communication skills, including strong writing and the ability to develop and present compelling narratives on complex topics

High-level relationship building and interpersonal skills (e.g., collaborative, diplomatic, able to tailor communication to varied audiences) and a customer-service mindset

A proven track record of delivering against goals

Developed areas of special knowledge or expertise and demonstrated interest and commitment to becoming expert in a variety of issue areas

Ability to multi-task and work flexibly and creatively within a fast-moving, changing, and complex environment

Experience developing and executing against strategic priorities

Exceptional judgment, integrity, humility, and respect for confidentiality

Ability to move work forward independently while collaborating with a team and applying a keen eye to detail

This position will be based in Boston, MA on a hybrid schedule with a weekly requirement to work in-person with colleagues; successful candidates will need to undergo a comprehensive background check.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 - $215,000 per year.

Placement in the range will vary based on a variety of factors such as job responsibilities & scope, special skills, education, special certifications, candidate’s relevant experience, and other factors.

Base salary is only part of the total compensation package. Employees are eligible for an annual discretionary performance bonus in addition to their base pay.

The Fidelity Foundations offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, an annual performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package.

The Fidelity Foundations are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive professional environment. We encourage applications from candidates with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.