Program Officer, Tulsa Grantmaking

WHO WE ARE

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies (Schusterman) strives for a future in which the United States and Israel live up to their ideals and achieve more just and inclusive societies.  We work to advance racial, gender and economic equity in the U.S., as well as to foster a more joyful and diverse Jewish community. In Israel, we work toward a secure homeland for the Jewish people, a thriving democracy and an inclusive society that cares for its most vulnerable. We aim to drive and support long-term systemic change through investments in leaders, organizations and U.S. public policy.

OUR CULTURE

Our culture is built on a foundation of principles that guide our attitudes, behaviors and interactions in the workplace. We look for people to join our team who are trustworthy, excellent, risk-takers – and who are committed to equity. Team members who are trustworthy look to build connections with others, are open to feedback and cultivate a culture of caring and respect. We strive for excellence by driving toward measurable results and consistently growing our knowledge and skills for maximum impact. We look to take risks by demonstrating curiosity and finding new, innovative ways of working. We strive to create a work environment rooted in equity where all members of our team feel a sense of belonging, are treated fairly and have the ability to have to use their voices to effectively advance our mission.

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Officer, Tulsa Grantmaking (Program Officer) is a member of the Tulsa Grantmaking team located in Schusterman’s Tulsa, OK office. The Tulsa Grantmaking team works to improve the lives of youth and families in Tulsa who experience the effects of inequality and financial instability. The Program Officer is responsible for overseeing and managing a portfolio of Tulsa-based investments following appropriate due diligence and internal approval processes. Specifically, the portfolio of grants will focus on youth development, summer and expanded learning opportunities, STEM education, K-12 education, access to post-secondary education, and scholarship programs. The Program Officer will maintain ongoing relationships with local nonprofit representatives, will provide expertise and technical assistance in areas such as strategic planning and outcomes measurement and will develop close ties with other local grantmakers and community leaders to maximize impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

This position is a vital role on the Tulsa Grantmaking team. Job responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Portfolio Management and Grantmaking (60%)

Outcome: The Program Officer will manage and execute mission-aligned grantmaking to organizations and initiatives that advance the team’s priorities. This includes working closely with prospective and current grantees during all stages of the application, grant awarding, and reporting processes.

• Work cooperatively with grant seekers in preparing, developing and/or revising grant requests to meet established standards and ensure any investment assists the grantee in delivering on its mission and meeting agreed-to milestones.
• Review, investigate and analyze grant requests from local nonprofit organizations to ensure applications are aligned with Schusterman’s grantmaking strategy and comply with Schusterman’s policies and standards.
• Conduct appropriate due diligence and proposal analysis and compose summaries related to grant requests including specific recommendations for amounts and terms for grants.
• Prepare grant terms and goals, reporting requirements, and payment schedules and contingencies.
• Oversee reporting requirements, budgets, projections, methods of evaluation, and monitoring progress on grant goals.

Grantee Communications and Relationships (30%)

Outcome: The Program Officer will communicate frequently with grantees, develop constructive relationships, and facilitate connections, collaboration, and capacity-building opportunities among grantees.

• Provide frequent and responsive communication to grantees during all stages of the application process and grant term, which may include requests for grant-related information and data and efforts to deepen understanding of the issues, root causes, and challenges that grantees are addressing.
• Support groups of grantees working on aligned issue areas by facilitating referrals and hosting meetings.
• Support grantees by offering strategic guidance, technical assistance, and connections to other resources, such as training or capacity building opportunities through access to Schusterman’s network.

 Portfolio Strategy, Planning, and Reporting (10%)

Outcome: The Program Officer will provide leadership in reviewing and reporting on progress of grants in achieving portfolio goals, developing, and refining portfolio strategies, and engaging in regular planning and budgeting.

• Working with Schusterman staff and community stakeholders, provide leadership, identify service gaps, and collaborate with partners to develop effective solutions.
• Prepare detailed and timely written updates on community engagement, emerging initiatives and community needs, and relevant information concerning current and potential grantees.
• Lead the periodic written and oral review with Schusterman leadership of portfolio and grantee performance, alignment with Schusterman’s mission and goals, and planning and monitoring of Schusterman’s Tulsa Grantmaking budget.

 COMPETENCIES NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• Partnership orientation: Demonstrating partnership, collaboration, mentorship, and leadership with and among colleagues; ability to build strong, trusting relationships with colleagues across the organization and with nonprofit representatives and community members.
• Project management and analytical skills: Adept at developing and managing a range of projects and initiatives, emphasizing optimized work processes, work tracking, information sharing and elevating insights and analysis that inform an appropriate recommendation and course of action.
• Exceptional communication skills: Demonstrated experience in building issue-area expertise; thorough and responsive approach to communications with various internal and external stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial approach: Willingness to think beyond traditional approaches to identifying needs and collaborating with partners to develop and implement effective solutions.
• Experience collaborating in diverse teams: Demonstrated commitment to valuing equity and diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Ability to hold complexity: Willingness to embrace complexity, nuance and ambiguity in shifting issue landscapes and emerging work areas; and maintaining a clear perspective between the overall picture and the details.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

The following qualifications are representative of the high level of demonstrated skills, maturity, judgment, and ability to work with a wide range of constituencies required of Schusterman employees:

• 6+ years of professional experience in Philanthropy, Education, and/or Nonprofit Leadership.
• A Bachelor’s degree, with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management, Education, Business Administration, or comparable experience.
• Leadership experience with an organization that works with young people to support their learning and development.
• Ability to develop grantmaking strategies in a team-oriented environment and experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders toward meaningful, measurable outcomes.
• Successful track record of pairing strategic thinking and agile execution, leading multiple assignments and time management.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data and metrics to evaluate needs, drive change and measure impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including adapting communication styles across multiple stakeholders and facilitating productive conversations.
• Experience and reputation for building positive relationships, being viewed as a trusted partner and collaborator, and leading through diplomatic influence rather than formal authority.
• High degree of discretion and judgment with proven success as a people leader and influencer.
• PC skills (with proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and a thorough knowledge of basic web skills required.
• Ability to travel up to two weeks domestically, on occasion, each year.

 COMPENSATION

Competitive salary band of $100,000 - $125,000 based on experience and Schusterman’s commitment to internal equity. A strong benefits package is also included. Schusterman encourages ongoing professional development and supports activities aligned with one’s individual career growth plan. Schusterman does not cover relocation expenses for this position.

Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Schusterman promotes diversity and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, disability, genetic information, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

If interested in this position, please visit https://grnh.se/5a4a9c932us to submit an Application.