Program Officer (Local Jewish Community)

Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia is a grantmaking public charity that delivers over $60 million of annual philanthropic impact. Grantmaking activities are directed by the Strategy & Impact Department. The Program Officer is responsible for managing core components of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s local grantmaking portfolios in Jewish education, engagement, and social services across Greater Philadelphia. Reporting to the Local Director of Strategy & Impact, this position supports the implementation of departmental strategy by overseeing assigned grants and relationships, monitoring program performance, and contributing to impact assessment and learning. The Program Officer exercises independent professional judgment within established grantmaking frameworks, works collaboratively across departments, and serves as a key liaison between funded organizations and senior Strategy & Impact leadership to ensure effective stewardship of philanthropic investments.

Requirements

Strong analytical, organizational, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable insights.
Proven ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders and navigate complex organizational environments.
Demonstrated ability to manage projects and priorities with limited supervision and sound professional judgment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with grant management systems preferred.
Familiarity with Philadelphia Jewish communal organizations, values, and the nonprofit ecosystem strongly preferred.
Knowledge of Jewish customs and traditions required.
Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, relevant experience required; advanced coursework or a Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, nonprofit program management, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

advanced coursework or a Master’s degree in a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage assigned grants throughout the full lifecycle, including pre-award review support, post-award monitoring, compliance tracking, and documentation.
Coordinate with the Project Manager to ensure grant records, timelines, and requirements are accurate and current in the grant management system.
Identify emerging risks, opportunities, or strategic considerations within assigned portfolios and escalate budgetary, strategic, or compliance issues to the Director as appropriate.
Serve as a primary day-to-day point of contact for assigned funded organizations, fostering strong working relationships and supporting effective communication.
Coordinate and conduct site visits and meetings across the five-county Greater Philadelphia area to support program monitoring, learning, and relationship building.
Prepare briefing materials and summaries from site visits and partner meetings for Strategy & Impact leadership and internal stakeholders.
Conduct literature reviews and peer-foundation research to identify best practices in grantmaking, program design, and impact measurement.
Review data and narrative reports submitted by funded organizations and synthesize findings into clear summaries and draft reports for internal and external use.
Contribute to departmental learning by tracking trends, outcomes, and lessons emerging from funded initiatives.
Liaise with internal Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia departments to share relevant information about funded organizations, initiatives, and community needs.
Regularly brief Strategy & Impact team members on developments within assigned portfolios and document updates in internal systems.
Support preparation of materials for committees, leadership briefings, and cross-departmental coordination as needed.