Pacific Foundation Services, LLC (PFS) is a professional services firm that manages over 30 independent family foundations. We provide whatever a foundation needs to operate optimally, including strategic advice, board support, grantmaking programs, compliance, financial management and a physical home. With a current staff of 31, we value competence and camaraderie and work together to make the most of our collective experience. We thrive on collaboration and share our talents to provide top-level service to our clients.
PFS is looking for a highly skilled and experienced philanthropy professional to work as a team member with executive and program staff to serve multiple foundation clients. The position is exempt, part-time (approximately .60 FTE), and reports to the President of PFS.
Summary
The Senior Program Officer serves as the lead staff person for assigned client foundations, and directs the PFS client team to ensure high-quality services are provided to the client foundation. The Senior Program Officer is the primary contact for trustees on foundation boards, and represents the client foundation in local nonprofit and philanthropic communities. As a critical member of the PFS team, attendance in the PFS offices is an essential function of this job.
General:
- For each assigned client foundation, the Senior Program Officer will:
- Act as lead staff person for client foundations, including coordinating team activities (generally Program Officer, Grants Manager, Accountant) and ensuring timeliness and high quality of work throughout the grantmaking process;
- Serve as primary contact for board of trustees, including communicating board feedback to the team;
- Lead trustees and staff in foundation planning and evaluation as appropriate;
- Collaborate with board of trustees to develop and maintain all foundation policies and guidelines, as well as public-facing communications in publications or websites;
- Oversee preparation and distribution of all board and committee materials including agendas, meeting materials, board dockets and presentations;
- Serve as primary contact for foundation legal matters and external consulting contracts with support from the management team as needed;
- Provide opportunities for board involvement through site visits and other foundation activities such as, symposia, meetings, and conferences;
- Perform other duties assigned or requested by the board of trustees;
- Represent the foundation within the local nonprofit and philanthropic communities to the degree preferred by the board of trustees, and, when appropriate, provide leadership in the funding community;
- Work with VP of Program on special projects as assigned;
- Manage own calendar, correspondence, travel, and other daily administrative tasks except where specifically the responsibility of administrative staff; and
- Participate in PFS-wide activities to build collegial culture and encourage cross-organizational learning.
Grantmaking:
- Research potential grantees and projects in the foundations’ areas of interest and proactively solicit proposals, manage initiatives, and organize grantee convenings;
- Review proposals, coordinate grant assignments, and, in partnership with Program Officers, make decisions about the fit with the program area;
- Perform due diligence on organizations and grant proposals: site visits, review and analysis of financial data, assessment of capacity, and alignment with priorities;
- Prepare proposal summaries and grant recommendations consistent with each foundation’s grantmaking guidelines for board review and action;
- Provide professional service to boards of assigned foundations, including attending board meetings, presenting information on grant strategy and recommended grants, and responding to questions from the board;
- Provide support and guidance to grantseekers;
- Monitor approved grants to ensure grantees’ accountability;
- Work with finance department to ensure financial compliance with established board policies;
- Oversee preparation and presentation of an annual operating budget for review and approval by the finance committee and the board of trustees;
- Monitor foundation monthly financial reports, including distribution requirements, on an ongoing basis and confer with finance department on questions.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required;
- At least seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, preferably a combination of nonprofit and philanthropy work, with at least four years in a leadership role;
- Knowledge of the Bay Area nonprofit community;
- Demonstrated leadership and relationship management experience, including ability to lead teams and provide guidance to others;
- Familiarity with foundation compliance requirements;
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to conduct research, interpret financial statements, organize report material, and clearly translate content and data into accessible language;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to make public presentations and prepare concise and effective written content;
- Demonstrated ability to develop expertise in new program areas as needed;
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
- Ability to juggle multiple projects and work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team environment;
- Adept at working with people from diverse backgrounds, including staff of grantee organizations, client boards of directors, high net worth donors, and those with divergent political and world views;
- Empathy and respect for those who do the hard work of developing and raising money for programs and organizations;
- Welcomes feedback as a means to personal and professional growth;
- Proven experience with Microsoft Office and database programs;
- Access to a personal vehicle (car is needed for site visits);
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and discretion about confidential matters;
- Demonstrated commitment to PFS values of generosity, respect, integrity, inclusion, commitment, and humility.
Location
PFS has offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Santa Rosa. This position will be primarily based in the San Francisco office but will require regular travel to the Palo Alto office, as well.
Compensation
PFS offers a competitive salary (commensurate with experience) and a comprehensive benefits package.
To Apply
Please email a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, salary requirements, and a resume to:
Pacific Foundation Services is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment and our company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, military service, legally protected medical condition or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.
All final candidates must provide three relevant employment references and be able to verify the right to work in the United States.