PROGRAM & STRATEGY OFFICER

This role combines rigorous analysis, strategic grantmaking, and responsive relationship management to strengthen the capacity, sustainability, and effectiveness of aligned organizations. Officers steward a portfolio that may include general operating support, project grants, initiative-driven grants, capacity-building investments, impact investments, and/ or other tools. They contribute to cross-cutting strategies across Dogwood’s core priorities, housing, education, economic opportunity, and health & wellness, and ensure Dogwood’s resources are deployed in ways that promote dignity, opportunity, and thriving for all.

*Note: This position description reflects core responsibilities but is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may shift based on organizational priorities and evolving needs. Additionally, while individuals in the Program and Strategy Officer role share a common title, specific areas of focus may vary and are subject to change over time. Assignments may differ based on strategic priorities, portfolio needs, and team capacity; not all staff will perform identical functions at all times.

• Bachelor’s degree in fields of study connected to social determinants of health (e.g., social work, public administration, nonprofit management, public health, education, etc.).

• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic, mission-aligned grantmaking or program management.
• Experience with program and relationship management.
• Proven track record of coalition building with diverse community stakeholders.
• Evidence of embracing various tasks, individuals, and resources with flexibility and adaptability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Experience with, or ability to quickly learn, a grant management and client relationship system.
• Experience leading work in program development, community engagement, community partnerships, community organizing, and/or advocacy.
• Worked in various sectors and organizations spanning private, nonprofit, and philanthropy.

• Equity-Driven: Demonstrates a commitment to equity as a value, guiding principle and goal—actively working to eliminate barriers and ensure opportunity, dignity, and well-being for all.
• Relationship-Oriented: Seeks to understand before acting, listens deeply, and practices empathy and hope in support of team members, partners, and communities we serve.
• Integrity & Accountability: Acts with transparency, trust, and ethical responsibility; welcomes feedback and takes initiative to continuously grow and improve.
• Comfortable with Ambiguity: Navigates uncertain or evolving contexts with resilience and flexibility; maintains focus while seeking clarity and adapting as new information emerges.
• Collaborative & Curious: Builds positive relationships across teams; contributes to a learning culture through humility, curiosity, and a desire to share and grow together.
• Courageous & Clarifying: Embraces change, takes smart risks, and pursues bold solutions with both urgency and patience in the face of complex challenges. Seeks clarity to move forward with focus, alignment, and improvement.
• Collaborative & Curious: Builds positive relationships across teams; contributes to a learning culture through humility, curiosity, and a desire to share and grow together.
• Courageous & Clarifying: Embraces change, takes smart risks, and pursues bold solutions with both urgency and patience in the face of complex challenges. Seeks clarity to move forward with focus, alignment, and improvement.
• Respectful & Thoughtful: Engages with respect and purpose; listens actively, communicates thoughtfully, adapts and remains curious when encountering differences, assumes best intent, and thereby contributes to a culture of openness and shared understanding.
• Demonstrated knowledge and extensive understanding of grantmaking and portfolio management.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to develop rapport and engender trust.
• Exceptional people skills, a focused listener, with discerning engagement.
• Strong analytical skills layered with healthy curiosity and inquiry.
• Ability to be diplomatic, resourceful, and persuasive.
• Ability to build coalitions to drive strategic initiatives, impactful programs, and community engagement.
• Strong project management skills, showed through previous projects managing multiple internal and external stakeholders (e.g., working across organizations)
• Anticipates challenges and effectively resolves the conflict by identifying opportunities for problem-sharing and resolution.
• Ability to show a high degree of personal initiative.
• Skilled in time and project management; ability to balance multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain highly confidential information.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills paired with knowledge and use of databases, spreadsheets, graphics, and other reporting tools necessary for adequate documentation.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and evolve a body of concepts and learnings to inform and reflect the thinking and knowledge of the team and organization.
• Adept at figuring out the processes necessary to get things done; knows how to organize people and activities; understands how to separate and combine tasks into efficient workflow; knows what to measure and how to measure it.
• Responsive to individual differences in personal backgrounds; recognizes own cultural identity and areas for growth in understanding of and relating to other cultures and identities; shows respect and open-mindedness to other people’s views and experiences; actively seeks to engage and involve diverse groups.

• Work in an office environment requires operating standard office equipment. Workspaces are designed to be accessible and inclusive, accommodating various physical needs and promoting a healthy work environment.
• Dogwood utilizes a hybrid work schedule requiring staff to be in the office twice or more each week. While there is some flexibility for hybrid work, this is not a remote position, and candidates should expect to work regularly from the office in Asheville, NC, or from home located in the region we serve.
• Actively engaged with assigned regions and/or grantees, which requires travel throughout Western North Carolina and occasional out-of-state travel for conferences, convenings, or learning opportunities as appropriate.
• This position is a full-time, salaried, exempt role.