Program Officer Program

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is seeking a program officer to oversee a grantmaking portfolio of our Flint Area Program. This position manages a portfolio of grants and plays a key role in shaping the Foundation’s work within an assigned program initiative. The program officer is responsible for the full grantmaking process — from program research, planning and development, and proposal evaluation through grant administration, monitoring and post-grant evaluation.

This is an opportunity for a thoughtful, collaborative and experienced professional to contribute to the Foundation’s philanthropic strategy while building meaningful relationships with nonprofit organizations and other partners. The program officer will stay informed about emerging issues and trends, assess opportunities for future grantmaking, and provide recommendations and written materials for Foundation management and trustees. The person also will represent the Foundation externally through meetings, site visits, conferences and other activities that support learning, relationship-building and the Foundation’s mission.

The Child Poverty Solutions grantmaking initiative is part of the Foundation’s new 10-year strategic program plan. The goals and objectives within the initiative are new to the Foundation and will be guided by internal staff recommendations, evaluation data and field-level developments. Grantmaking will include local, state and, potentially, national grantees that move this work forward. Permanent policy solutions that increase assets for families with children living in poverty are key to the success of this initiative.

Candidates who have knowledge of poverty-reduction policies and experience with policy advocacy are preferred.

The program officer will monitor developments, trends and emerging issues within assigned program initiative and assess their continued relevance to the Foundation’s program objectives. The person will recommend opportunities for future grantmaking and prepare written materials for management and trustee review.

The program officer also will contribute to the development and implementation of new programs when appropriate and keep the program director and vice president of Programs informed of significant developments within assigned areas.

The program officer will manage all aspects of an assigned grant portfolio, including researching, administering and monitoring grants in accordance with Foundation policies and procedures. The person will evaluate proposals, monitor grantee progress, and ensure that grantmaking and program activities align with established objectives.

Serving as a primary liaison to grantees, the program officer will provide expertise and technical assistance as appropriate and serve as a resource to the public and nonprofit sectors consistent with Foundation policies and procedures.

The position will conduct site visits with current and prospective grantees to support due diligence, assess opportunities for new grants, and deepen understanding of grantee work and emerging needs.

The program officer will develop a broad awareness of the Foundation’s programs and work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization. The person will work closely with Grants Administration in reviewing grantee budgets, proposals and reports and will collaborate with the Communications department to develop strategies for advancing program work and sharing grantmaking and program activities when appropriate.

The program officer may supervise, train and mentor associate program officers, program assistants, administrative support staff and other staff as appropriate. The person…