Program Officer

Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

284d • $105,300 - $144,000

About The Position

Independence Public Media Foundation (IPMF) is a private foundation focused on moving resources within the Philadelphia region toward community-owned media and internet, and catalyzing movements for justice through narratives that educate, inspire, and encourage action toward a more liberatory future. We are driven by a set of core values—Courage, Equity, Justice, Belonging, and Joy—that shape how we approach our work, how we partner with others, and how we contribute to the world around us. The Program Officer is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the foundation's grantmaking, and collaborating with other program team members around evaluation and capacity building, in support of the foundation's program strategies for achieving its mission and vision. Application deadline is Friday, April 4, 2025.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in philanthropy, media, or media-adjacent work such as communications or the arts.
• Strong understanding of media-making and media impact as it relates to social and economic power.
• Complex problem-solving skills and ability to analyze various information sources and make strategic, high-stakes decisions.
• Demonstrated collaboration and relationship-building skills with community partners and the ability to effectively and positively engage with multi-racial communities.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write essays and memos, and to prepare and deliver presentations to large and small audiences.
• Able to review and understand grantees' and applicants' nonprofit financials, ask relevant questions regarding budgetary decisions, and gather necessary information to support and strengthen financial viability.
• Advanced organization, prioritization, judgment, and time management skills. Highly detail-oriented.
• Dependable across varying workloads with the ability to remain consistent in applying ethical and compliance standards across the board.
• Ability to travel locally, primarily within the greater Philadelphia area.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, databases, and general computer applications.
• Committed to the foundation's values of courage, equity, justice, belonging and joy.

Nice To Haves

• Strong preference for someone who is fluent in conversational Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Leads the interpretation and implementation of the foundation's program strategies consistent with vision and goals of foundation, in partnership with other program team members and president.
• Makes recommendations for updates or adjustments to the foundation's program strategies based on in-the-field experience and feedback.
• Continually maps funding landscape to inform strategies that move money.
• Remains current on national and regional issues/trends and best practices serving as a resource to the president, board, and fellow staff.
• Elevates the foundation's program work through regular public communications and attending networking events, panels, conferences, and other convenings that drive the foundation's work forward.
• Contributes to the foundation's profile and influence by sharing essays, making presentations, and participating in conversations focused on community-centered philanthropy.
• Supports the foundation's Learning Team, a group of board and staff members, whose role is to steward the organization's learning agenda and track progress toward the foundation's vision and mission.
• Oversees a portfolio of grantees and programs.
• Co-leads the implementation of the foundation's three grantmaking cycles each year and discretionary program funds in collaboration with IPMF's other Program Officer.
• Co-manages an annual, multi-million dollar grantmaking budget.
• Builds trusting relationships and actively works with communities to identify and support strategic media organizations and infrastructure, and media making projects and initiatives, while also identifying gaps in the landscape that need to be addressed.
• Communicates the foundation strategies and application processes to applicants and current grantees.
• Coordinates and leads check-in meetings with grantees throughout the year.
• Stays connected to the progress of grantees and is proactive in supporting the success of organizations and ecosystems.
• Collaborates with other program team members to ensure complete and accurate grantee information for compliance and documentation purposes and as an important practice in reflection, learning, and knowledge transfer.
• Prepares memos to share program-related information and recommendations to board and staff.
• Contributes to building the foundation's capacity building opportunities and convenings of grantees for professional development and/or networking purposes.
• Provides input and guidance on community-centered philanthropy practices related to programmatic work.
• Regularly shares and celebrates compelling grantee stories, ideas, and accomplishments.
• Consistently interacts with and seeks to build networks among community members, grant recipients, prospective grantees, and individuals in the media sector, as well as other funders, key policymakers, and those whose work influence and affect media policy and social change, builds coalitions where appropriate.
• Collaborates with colleagues across the organization to maintain transparency, align on priorities, and advance work toward organizational goals.

Benefits

• This is a full-time, exempt position requiring 40 hours of work per week.
• This is a manager level position, with an annual salary range of $105,300 - $144,000 based on qualifications, experience, and references.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations