Senior/Equity Officer

The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF); Arkansas; On-site; USD 72,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF) in Arkansas seeks a dynamic Equity Officer to lead policy, advocacy and public affairs aimed at achieving state-wide equity. You will work with the Chief Innovation Officer and other Equity Officers to shape and oversee cross-cutting strategies that disrupt policy and build community movements.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and several years in education, economic development, communications, or public policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Master’s degree preferred or related experience to WRF priorities.
• Experience in nonprofit sector, education, or public policy is valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for policy, advocacy and public affairs strategies to advance equity for Arkansans.
• Develop relationships, manage grants portfolio, and champion programs to help every Arkansan thrive.
• Ideate, curate and support activities driving progress toward equity as defined by WRF’s direction.
• Foster strategic partnerships with thought leaders and external constituencies to advance equity mission.
• Advocate for equity and challenge inequity and structural barriers.
• Collaborate with the Chief Innovation Officer on external communications strategies that advance equity.
• Expand learning on strategy and outcomes to inform grantmaking and investments.
• Stay informed on effective policy strategies and how to implement with partners.
• Respond to grant inquiries and provide referrals, technical assistance, and guidance.
• Work with Equity Officers on recommendations and prepare papers for board approval.
• Monitor grants and contracts for impact and lessons learned, adjusting strategy as needed.
• Represent the Foundation at conferences and professional activities.

Skills

Purpose-driven

Innovation

Entrepreneurship

Ideas & inquiry

Ambiguity tolerance

Growth mindset

Organizational skills

Critical thinking

Advocacy

Communication

Team collaboration

Equity focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (WRF) is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and passionate leader who is willing to partner with a dynamic team to help support the transformation of Arkansas to a state where everyone can thrive and prosper.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a dynamic individual capable of working during a period of organizational, programmatic, and culture change in support of the AR Equity 2025 strategic direction. The Foundation’s mission is cross-cutting, and consequently, the Equity Officer works closely with the Chief Innovation Officer and other Senior/ Equity Officers to envision, implement, and oversee an intersectional strategy of policy disruption, community change, and movement building.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Purpose-driven: Grounded in the work, aware of the impact that is possible, and exhibits a personal
  commitment to purposeful engagement and collaborate with others internally and externally to move
  organizational strategy forward
• Innovation: Able and eager to identify new opportunities, strategies, and approaches to philanthropy within
  and outside of traditional systems and structures
• Entrepreneurialism: Ability to present ideas to reimagine supporting community-based organizing groups in
  Arkansas
• Ideas and inquiry: Generate ideas, then test those ideas internally and externally to establish original methods
  and points of view
• Comfort with ambiguity: Possess the confidence and flexibility to successfully work in an environment where
  experimentation is encouraged
• Growth mindset: An individual who is always learning, growing, improving, open to feedback is one that
  would fit into the culture of the foundation
• Exceptionally strong organizational skills, sharp attention to detail, and persistence in following through on
  projects
• Critical thinking skills as they apply to the processes of leadership, engagement, assessment, intervention and
  evaluation of organizations, and communities
• Advocacy skills for practice delivery and policies that promote equity when working with organizations and
  communities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent computer skills and a willingness to learn new tools and systems
• Demonstrated flexibility, maturity, and ability to work as a team with program staff, consultants, and persons
  outside the Foundation
• Comfortable working in a supportive role and team environment
• Good sense of humor and abiding optimism in the potential for Arkansas to improve people’s lives
• Strong understanding of and commitment to equity in Arkansas

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership and oversight for the development of policy, advocacy and public affairs strategies that
  support increased equity for all Arkansans
• Develop relationships, manage a related grants portfolio, and champion programs to ensure that every
  Arkansan has the chance to thrive and prosper
• Ideate, curate, and support activities that drive progress towards equity as defined by WRF’s strategic direction
• Initiate and foster strategic partnerships with thought leaders and key external constituencies, including
  governmental, philanthropic, business, and nonprofit communities to advance the equity mission of the
  Foundation
• Advocate for equity and challenge inequity and structural barriers internally and externally
• Work closely with the Chief Innovation Officer to develop external communications strategies that advance
  equity
• Expand the Foundation’s learning on strategy and outcomes to inform grantmaking, investments, movement
  building, policy advocacy, and strategic direction
• Obtain, maintain, and share a high level of knowledge of the most effective strategies and current thinking in
  public policy and social change – what works, what are the most effective and/or innovative ways to support the
  work, and how to implement strategies with partners
• Respond to inquiries for grants and Program Related Investments; offer support beyond grant seeking,
  including referrals, networking, technical assistance, and general counsel
• Partner with the Chief Innovation Officer and other Equity Officers on recommendations; conduct due
  diligence, and write strategy papers and funding recommendations for board approval
• Continuously monitor grants, investments, and professional service contracts for impact and lessons learned,
  revising the strategy as needed based on learning and appreciative inquiry processes
• Represent the Foundation at conferences and meetings; stay abreast of the philanthropic field and foundation’s
  program areas through conferences and other professional activities

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred or experience related to the WRF’s priorities
• Three to five years of experience preferred in education, economic development, communications, community, change, or public policy. Prior experience in the nonprofit sector is preferred.

HIRING SALARY RANGE

Depending on the experience level of the candidate:

• $72,000 - $82,000 for equity officer
• $85,000-95,000 for senior equity officer