Program Officer, Economic Opportunity
About The Position
As a critical member of the Fidelity Foundations’ Economic Opportunity Team, the Program Officer will further develop and manage a grant portfolio focused on capacity building and grounded in deep local knowledge and strategic alignment with the Foundations’ goals. They will identify and assess potential investments, conduct due diligence, monitor existing investments, and represent the Foundations to grantees and community stakeholders. The role combines strategic leadership, relationship-building, and cross-portfolio collaboration to drive meaningful philanthropic impact. This Program Officer role will focus on the Foundation’s Young Adulthood strategy, investing in organizations that help young people move into good jobs through clear, employer-aligned pathways. This includes supporting models that combine skills development with opportunities to earn degrees or industry-recognized credentials. Within this strategy, the Foundation has two priorities: (1) strengthening and scaling accelerated career programs that help learners earn credentials fast, affordable training and work-based learning; and (2) improving retention and completion for first-generation and/or under-resourced students at public and private universities in Massachusetts. The Program Officer will help advance investments that expand access, strengthen quality, foster innovation, and support long-term sustainability across a portfolio of nonprofit partners.
Requirements
- A minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, public systems, or a related field, with strong content knowledge in education to career pathways and/or youth development.
- Strategic and systems-oriented thinking, including the ability to assess opportunities in context, connect individual investments to broader portfolio goals, and translate field insight into strong recommendations
- Strong judgment and analytical rigor, including experience conducting due diligence, interpreting financial and organizational information, and assessing the potential and limitations of philanthropic investments
- A learning-oriented and curious approach, with the ability to synthesize information, ask thoughtful questions, and adapt strategy as new insights emerge
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear, compelling narratives and present complex ideas effectively to varied audiences
- Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to engage grantees, community stakeholders, and colleagues with diplomacy, credibility, and respect
- Ability to work effectively across teams, contribute to shared strategy, and move work forward independently in a fast-moving, complex environment
- Strong execution and results orientation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain attention to detail, and follow through on commitments
- Exceptional judgment, integrity, humility, and respect for confidentiality
Responsibilities
- Apply deep understanding of career pathways, work-based learning, and/or higher education to develop responsive and impactful grants aligned to a defined strategy
- Participate in and contribute to strategy development and research agenda in collaboration with the Foundations’ Insights & Impact team
- Assess and advance promising proposals and organizations by conducting due diligence through site visits, in-depth material reviews, financial analysis, and other activities
- Develop and refine proposal requests, and prepare detailed written analyses and grant recommendations for senior management and Trustee approval
- Steward relationships with grantees by maintaining regular communication, offering thought partnership, and serving as a trusted resource throughout the grant cycle and beyond
- Maintain an active calendar of networking and learning sessions with sector experts, nonprofit partners and peer foundations
- Follow media and literature, stay abreast of best practices, and attend relevant conferences to broaden knowledge
- Evaluate grant and overall portfolio effectiveness against stated objectives
- Support grant administrative processes, including use of grants management system
Benefits
- annual discretionary performance bonus
- comprehensive benefits package
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
