Program Officer, Journalism Initiative

Strengthening the Ecosystem For the Media

This track treats journalism as the goal and the informed society as the rationale. It includes:

Advocacy for policy and approaches that lead to new and sustainable revenue models protect journalism promote press freedom. Support for nonprofit journalism outlets that hold the powerful accountable (investigative work) and lift up coverage of vulnerable populations underserved by media.

Advancing Programmatic Goals Through the Media

This track uses journalism as an instrument. Rather than funding journalism for its own sake it funds journalism as a vehicle for moving the needle on our existing issue areas. The Alabama Solution and The Marshall Project offer instructive models: investigative and solutions-oriented reporting that directly advanced public understanding of and policy response to a systemic problem we care about. Notably each of our program directors has already expressed interest in the state of media and in some cases has begun to explore it with existing program funds. There is momentum here that a specialized program officer can channel and amplify.

• Develop grantmaking plans and manage a portfolio of grants for assigned grantmaking initiatives.
• Solicit and screen proposals applying breadth of expertise and a clear understanding of the Foundations interests.
• Develop coherent accurate and complete summaries of funding and prepare to answer substantive questions about the proposals. If necessary develop a complete and coherent rejection rationale for proposals that will not be funded.
• Structure grant term payment and reporting timelines and maintain up-to-date records through grant termination.
• Partner with Legal and Grants Management to ensure compliance with Foundation policies and IRS guidelines.
• Monitor grant progress by reviewing progress reports as well as staying in contact with grantees and responding to issues as needed.
• Provide non-financial support to grantees including advice concerning capacity building fund development project activities and evaluation.
• Conduct site visits to current and potential grantees.
• Stay informed about and follow up as necessary on grant-related issues throughout the duration of a grant.
• Work with the Foundations Communications team to broaden the impact of the initiatives grantmaking.

Strategic Direction Evaluation and Reporting

• Develop and draft grantmaking strategies and implementation plans based on the approved direction and goals of the Journalism Initiative.
• Monitor progress on approved grants and strategies including the effectiveness of individual grants and lessons learned to inform refinements to strategies and grantmaking plans.
• Conduct research and analyses to inform the development or refinement of strategic goals and tactics for assigned initiatives.
• Draft memos on recommended strategies implementation plans emerging areas of interest and other developments.
• Keep the President & CEO Director of CEO and Board Initiatives and Foundation leadership informed on developments within grantmaking areas.
• Occasionally attend Board meetings to support grant recommendations and periodically review and report to executive management and the Board on the overall effectiveness of funding.

Knowledge & Partnership Development

• Stay abreast of the policy and research landscape for assigned initiatives including policy and practice issues emerging trends and key resource people and organizations.
• Proactively identify key organizations and talent build relationships and act as a connector across the broader ecosystem.
• Know the funding landscape including other funders who support similar projects and participate in joint efforts with other foundations and affinity groups of foundations.
• Develop a clear understanding of how organizations fit into the Foundations and leaderships priorities.
• Represent the Foundation and assigned grantmaking initiatives to external audiences.

CEO & Board Initiatives

• Work collaboratively as a part of the CEO & Board Initiatives team to support special projects and events such as International Human Rights Day.
• Serve as a resource to team members on grantmaking and due diligence.

Foundation-wide Responsibilities

• Contribute to a positive inclusive and dynamic organizational culture.
• Participate in Foundation-wide activities such as committees internal culture-building training and strategic planning.
• Assist with the onboarding and training of new team members.

Requirements

• 8 years of relevant experience in journalism media and strategic communications
• Understanding of the journalism sector including existing business and revenue models
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically apply a dynamic systems analysis and translate thinking into clear logical arguments and actionable recommendations
• Strong research analysis and synthesis with the ability to distill complex ideas into actionable insights and communicate them clearly both in writing and verbally
• Intellectual curiosity openness to a range of ideas and perspectives and a commitment to ongoing learning
• Flexibility humility ingenuity and a willingness to pitch in as part of a team
• Ability to work independently and proactively getting ahead of problems and taking ideas or direction and developing them into concrete outcomes
• Comfort with ambiguity managing change and dealing with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies in collaboration with others and prioritize resources to maximize impact
• Understanding of the grantmaking process and how foundations function is preferred not required
• Detail-oriented with proven organizational and project management skills
• A collegial and diplomatic demeanor excellent interpersonal skills and a sense of humor
• A facilitative style of leadership and communication
• Integrity and sound judgment
• Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications
• Occasional travel

Compensation and Benefits

The target starting salary for this Bay Area-based position is $167000 to $201000 per year depending on experience.

The Heising-Simons Foundation offers a comprehensive employee benefits package designed to support employee wellness at work and in life. Benefits include employer-paid medical dental and vision insurance for employees and addition the Foundation offers a flexible spending account (FSA) for medical and childcare expenses a 401(k) plan with an employer match of up to 16% 3 weeks of vacation per year and paid time off for sick personal reasons and holidays.

Application Process

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of applicants. Foundation policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race color religion gender sexual orientation pregnancy national origin ancestry citizenship age marital status physical disability mental disability military service legally protected medical condition reproductive health decisions or any other consideration made unlawful by federal state or local laws. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. Please advise of any special needs or accommodations at the time of application.

Our success is dependent on our ability to build teams that include people with different experiences and expertise who can challenge each others assumptions with new viewpoints and bring different perspectives to the team. We encourage women people of color formerly incarcerated individuals immigrants LGBTQ people with disabilities and others with diverse perspectives and experiences to apply.

The Heising-Simons Foundation is partnering with Megan Rossi Talent Acquisition Strategy Consultant on this search. For any referrals and inquiries please contact .