Program Officer

About the Organization

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is a family foundation guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Lucile and David Packard, who helped found one of the world’s leading technology companies. We continue to work on the issues our founders cared about most: improving the lives of children; enabling the creative pursuit of science; advancing reproductive health and rights; conserving and restoring the earth’s natural systems; and supporting and strengthening our local communities.

The Packard Foundation is committed to the integration of justice and equity in our work. Please see our statement of vision, mission, and values for more information. 

About the Department

Since the 1980s, the Organizational Effectiveness (OE) program at the Packard Foundation has invested in the core strengths of the leaders and organizations at the heart of our issue areas. We believe that to succeed in their missions, organizations and leaders around the world need flexible, customized, and sustained investments in their core strengths that enable them to meet challenges, learn and adapt, and embrace opportunities with agility and resilience. OE provides a spectrum of support to Foundation partners to support strong leaders; strategic, impactful organizations; effective networks; and the infrastructure that civil society needs to be strong. Combined in place, our investments enable a strong NGO sector capable of achieving and sustaining impact. The OE program works across the goals and geographies of the Foundation. 

About the Role

This Program Officer position will lead the OE program’s partnership with the Conservation and Science (C&S) program, which works on climate, ocean, land, and science goals across the US, Asia, and Latin America. The Program Officer will coordinate and manage a complex and growing body of work that includes support to organizations to carry out organizational development and leadership projects, complex cohort projects that bring together groups of leaders and organizations, and capacity resource hubs that provide ongoing, easy-to-access organizational and leadership support for Packard Foundation partners.

This position will collaborate with OE and C&S team members on developing and implementing strategies to strengthen leadership and capacity across the geographies and issues where the Foundation works.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Grantmaking 

• Lead all aspects of annual grantmaking for the OE C&S portfolio. This is a portfolio of between 50-60 grants annually, including grants to individual organizations, complex cohort programs, and ongoing partnerships with resource providers. 
• Coordinate and oversee the work of six OE team members who contribute to this portfolio, managing workflow and budgets over the course of the year. This includes management of contractors and regional advisors supporting the work. 
• Apply background and skills in organizational development and leadership to inform grants to current Foundation partners. 
• Clearly and consistently communicate with grant recipients, staff, and other partners in a transparent, timely, and respectful manner
• Partner with a Program Associate, other program staff, consultants and grantees to ensure effective grantmaking and operations of the OE/C&S strategy and that deadlines and budgets are met or readjusted as needed
• Manage the grant proposal process and contribute to the shaping of proposals as needed
• Review and resolve legal, financial and technical issues raised by specific grants and grant reports
• Contribute to high quality and timely quarterly Board docket materials, including strategy documents, data analysis, etc.

Strategy, Learning, and Partnerships

• Lead strategic partnerships with the 10+ Conservation and Science strategies at the Foundation, developing tailored approaches for applying OE tools to support leaders and organizations to achieve impact 
• In partnership with colleagues, develop and oversee complex leadership and organizational development cohort grants, including design/assessment, implementation, and evaluation of these programs, along with frequent collaboration with additional funders  
• Help shape the OE program’s strategy and identify and cultivate new opportunities and approaches for our shared work 
• Identify and pursue opportunities for research to further OE’s work and the broader field of organizational development and leadership.
• Maintain a dynamic learning environment for grantees and staff to systematically learn from work and apply that learning to inform strategy; synthesize and share lessons
• Collaborate with senior leadership, program staff, nonprofit representatives, and other key internal and external stakeholders to provide strategic leadership, identify gaps, and develop effective solutions
• Develop reviews and summaries for Foundation leadership and Board members that address key activities, progress, and issues
• Engage in cross-cutting Foundation-wide learning and strategy projects to inform the Foundation’s overall work. 
• Within the OE team, support and manage learning and strategy workstreams to further the goals of the program. 
• Represent the Foundation externally when meeting with current and potential grantees, presenting at and attending public forums and conferences on topics of relevance
• Stay on top of current issues and trends within the capacity and leadership field

Qualifications

Experience

The successful candidate will have the following minimum qualifications:

• Minimum 10 years of progressing work experience related to nonprofit organizational development, capacity building, or leadership work. Consulting experience preferred. Advanced degree in a related or complementary field preferred.
• Demonstrated depth of experience supporting conservation, climate, and/or ocean organizations, including small, new, and community-based organizations. 
• Demonstrated experience working across international geographies. Experience in Asia and/or Latin America preferred. 
• Experience developing, launching, and implementing complex projects that require engagement and support from multiple stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong diagnostic and planning skills, including experience in assessing organizational strengths and challenges. Coaching skills a plus.
• Track record of success as a results-oriented senior thought leader and program manager within a philanthropic, nonprofit, management consulting, academic, or government context
• Deep cultural sensitivity and ability to communicate across cultures, while staying true to Foundation goals, values, and strategies
• Strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving ability
• Highly organized, flexible, with proven ability to manage multiple projects to successful completion
• A commitment to the values and mission of the Packard Foundation
• Innovative, strategic, and analytical thinker skilled in understanding and meeting ever-evolving challenges 
• Highly skilled and persuasive communicator with exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Proven ability to build effective partnerships and networks and sustain collaborative relationships at multiple levels, both internally and externally
• Self-directed and decisive, combined with a flexibility and capacity to give and receive feedback graciously
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a team-based and collegial workplace
• Committed to inclusion and creating a workplace that thrives on difference; experience with diverse teams and success at navigating cross-cultural communication 
• Devoted to growing own cultural competence and willing to actively participate in the Foundation's efforts to integrate justice and equity in all facets of our work
• Administratively self sufficient

COVID-19

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation requires that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except as required by law. Any employment offer will be contingent upon satisfactory proof that you are fully vaccinated from COVID-19, subject to reasonable accommodations for medical or religious reasons, and/or as otherwise required by applicable law. 

Location and Travel

With new Covid safety guidance from the state and county, the Foundation is returning to the office in April 2022. The initial policy requires a return to the office 2 days per week for all employees. Given this policy, all employees must have California residency. This role will include around 15% domestic and international travel.

To Apply

CEA Recruiting is assisting The David and Lucile Packard Foundation with this search. To be considered for this position, interested candidates must click "Apply on Company Website" below and follow the link below to submit a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements through CEA’s job portal.

Please direct all inquiries to CEA Recruiting (info@cearecruiting.com). This position will remain open until filled.

The David and Lucile Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. CEA Recruiting works with leading environmental nonprofits, foundations, and businesses to recruit top talent and design effective organizational staffing strategies. For more information, visit www.cearecruiting.com.