Program Specialist, Community Impact

San Diego Foundation

San Diego (CA)

Hybrid

USD 69,000 - 75,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Flexibility to choose a 9/80 schedule

100% Employer paid medical benefits

403B Retirement plan match

3 weeks of paid time off

Cell and internet reimbursement

Job summary

A community-focused nonprofit organization in San Diego seeks a Program Specialist to manage grantmaking operations for their early literacy initiative. The role involves supporting data collection, reporting, and communication with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have strong project coordination skills and a passion for education. This position offers a hybrid work environment with competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

3+ years of program support experience in a foundation, nonprofit, or related setting.
Strong project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools.

Responsibilities

Manage aspects of grant cycles, including applications and reviews.
Collect and synthesize grantee data for reporting.
Develop and maintain documentation and tracking systems.

Skills

Project coordination

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Knowledge of communities

Education

3+ years of program or operations support experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Asana

Job description

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This range is provided by San Diego Foundation. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$69,000.00/yr - $75,000.00/yr

At San Diego Foundation, we value our diverse and experienced staff who are committed to our mission of improving the quality of life within all of San Diego's communities. We strive to be an employer of choice, offering a competitive compensation package, and a professional and vibrant work environment for those who have a passion for our mission that is carried out every day by providing leadership for effective philanthropy and promoting community solutions.

San Diego Foundation is seeking an experienced Program Specialist to support Ready to Learn (R2L), a $15 million early literacy initiative made possible through a partnership with the Dr. Seuss Foundation. Launched in March 2025, R2L aims to expand access to early learning opportunities and improve literacy outcomes for young children in San Diego County.

The Program Specialist will play a key role in managing grantmaking operations, data collection, reporting, and stakeholder communications. This position is ideal for someone who is detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about education, early literacy, and community impact.

Essential Responsibilities:

Grantmaking Coordination

Manage all aspects of Ready to Learn grant cycles, including RFP processes, application reviews, and grantee check-ins.
Oversee grant administration by maintaining trackers, agreements, memos, and related documentation.
Ensure timely communication with grantees regarding reporting requirements, deadlines, and compliance.
Prepare grantmaking updates and reports for internal leadership and the program's founding partner.

Data Collection & Impact Reporting

Collect and synthesize grantee data, testimonials, and program stories to highlight outcomes.
Aggregate and analyze data to produce impact reports and dashboards.
Serve as a team resource on data systems and contribute to future impact reporting strategies.

Program Operations

Develop and maintain process documentation, communication templates, and file organization systems.
Use Asana and other project management tools to track program milestones and ensure alignment with strategic goals.
Collaborate across teams to monitor program performance and share progress with leadership and the founding partner.
Support system training and software updates in coordination with IT and the People Team.

Additional

Create written content, data visualizations, and presentations in support of program goals.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

3+ years of program or operations support experience in a foundation, nonprofit, government agency, or related setting.
Strong project coordination and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools (Asana preferred).
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Must reside in San Diego County
Experience in early literacy, education, or family-centered programming.
Knowledge of San Diego's communities and regional equity issues.
Experience preparing professional communications for funders, boards, or external audiences.
Familiarity with data visualization and impact reporting tools

Language Skills:

Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

Hybrid work environment based in San Diego.
Able to work in a fast-changing setting with multiple priorities.
Able to enter and retrieve information using a keyboard or other tools.
Able to sit, stand, walk, or drive for periods of time, with or without accommodation.
Able to view and use a computer screen for up to two hours, with or without accommodation.
Able to communicate by phone or alternative methods, with or without accommodation.
Able to remain seated or standing for extended periods, with or without accommodation.

Benefits

Salaried Exempt: $69,000.00 - $75,000.00 (San Diego Foundation is committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. Actual offers will be reflective of qualifications, skills and experience, internal equity, alignment with market data, among other relevant factors.)
Supportive, inclusive company culture; awarded Top Workplace by the San Diego Union Tribune 5 years in a row
Flexibility to choose a 9/80 schedule, giving you every other Friday off
Hybrid work environment with support for at home office setup
100% Employer paid medical, vision, dental, life, AD&D and long-term disability premiums: 75% Employer-paid premiums for all dependents on your benefits
403B Retirement plan match up to 4% + Annual discretionary contribution
Earned Incentive Program
3 weeks of paid time off + 1 additional week off with pay in July for all staff
4-week sabbatical for every 5 years of service
13 paid holidays + 2 paid volunteer days off each year
Extended Health Care Time accruing at 2.77 hours per pay period to a cap of 480 hours: use for sick time, family care, and parental leave baby bonding
$100 monthly cell and internet reimbursement
$75 quarterly gym reimbursement
Donor Advised Fund contribution with no minimum and $600 annual match from the Foundation to a nonprofit of your choice
Annual service award $100 donation to nonprofit of your choice

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Seniority level