PROGRAM OFFICER
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati
Are you passionate about the Cincinnati Jewish Community and believe in strengthening Jewish identity, Jewish education, engagement, and ensuring that the basic needs of the vulnerable are met? Are career growth and advancement opportunities important to you? If your answer is yes to these questions, then consider applying for the Program Officer position for The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati.
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati was established in 1995 and has nearly $500 million in assets. The Foundation invests approximately $19 million annually in the Cincinnati Jewish community and provides capacity building grants enabling the community’s institutions to meet individual needs efficiently and effectively.
The Program Officer, is a full-time position, and under the supervision of the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and responsible for working with assigned Foundation grantees on every aspect of the grantmaking process. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of professional grantmaking in a foundation environment, experience in working with grantees, and basic financial and analytical skills to manage a grantmaking portfolio.
General Responsibilities and Work Activities
Grantee Relations and Grant Management
- Investigate potential grantees; initiate dialogue, conduct interviews and site visits, collect and organize all relevant information necessary for a thorough review and presentation of grant proposals.
- Evaluate invited grant requests including analyzing organizational goals and plans, financial data, desired outcomes, impact metrics, and other relevant information
- Conduct internal research/due diligence through early stages and throughout the grantmaking process. Provide information necessary to support the efficacy of the Foundations’ philanthropy
- Work closely with TJF Director of Impact Assessment and TJF Director of Research & Learning, along with any evaluators, consultants and program grantees, to ensure formative evaluation findings are used to guide and improve grant implementation, and to lift up broader cross-portfolio learnings and insights.
External communications
- Establish positive and proactive working relationships with relevant community stakeholders and organizations
- Represent the Foundation at convenings and conferences as assigned by the CPO and/or CEO
- Contribute to the preparation of communications materials, press releases, articles, web postings about grant announcements, grantees or key community issues
Organizational operations
- Work with the CPO and other team members to ensure sound docket preparation for grantmaking discussions for staff and trustee meetings
Professional Development
- Find and participate in professional development opportunities that match the needs of the Foundation and its vision and strategies
Professional Qualifications (knowledge, skills, abilities and other)
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in community service work, non-profit, grant administration, or Jewish communal service work
- Demonstrate high integrity, excellent interpersonal skills, good judgement and ability to work in a team environment
- Strong project management skills with proven attention to detail
- Possess an understanding of Jewish communal philanthropy, professional grantmaking in a foundation environment, experience in working with grantees, and the financial and analytical skills to manage research and community planning projects
- Possess an understanding and appreciation of Jewish culture and community
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills including planning, complex problem solving and data analysis, financial and analytical skills, decision-making, reporting, and conflict management
- Ability to collaborate with all stakeholders (Board members, grantees, staff, community members and other stakeholder partners)
- Adept at using MS Office Suite including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and other software as needed
Compensation
The base salary for the position is $75,000-$90,000 a year based on experience. The benefits include medical, dental, life and disability insurance as well as paid time off and paid holidays including specific Jewish holidays. The Foundation also sponsors a retirement plan with employer match. The Foundation has a flexible work policy which currently requires employees to be in the office three days a week with Wednesdays and Fridays flexible for in-person or remote work.
The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati is an equal opportunity employer.