Senior Program Officer

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation•Princeton, NJ

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. At RWJF, we work toward three Generational Goals to transform health in our lifetime: Economic Inclusion for Family Wellbeing, Equitable and Accountable Public Health and Healthcare Systems, and Healthy and Equitable Community Conditions. We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion, and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference. ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY As RWJF tackles structural racism as a barrier to health, the New Jersey d epartment ’s role has evolved from a traditional funder to a strategic grantmaker , thought partner, impact investor, convenor, and anchor. The New Jersey d epartment closely aligns with and brings to bear RWJF’s voice, resources, and institutional assets to improve health and wellbeing in the state. This approach — informed by grantees, intermediaries, partners, and community members — has redefined RWJF’s role as a philanthropic anchor institution that is responsive, accountable, and is in a durable relationship with New Jersey communities with the great est barriers to health equity. The New Jersey d epartment advances : b uilding and bridging power with and across communities s hifting narratives about health and wellbeing a dvancing policies, practices, and systems change that promote health equity statewide We pursue this work in two ways: developing and implementing New Jersey- focused strategies in close collaboration with community members and strategic partners, while also leveraging learning, tools, and best practices from across RWJF’s national portfolio and other departments to strengthen outcomes in N ew J ersey. O ur investments focus on intermediaries, community-based partners, non profits, grassroots groups, and other organizations driving policy and systems change and movement - building throughout Ne w Jersey using place-based grants, infrastructure support, co-funding, leadership development, impact investments, convening, narrative and communication support , collaboration, and sustained partnerships. We prioritize investments in historically marginalized communities that have faced persistent barriers to achieving health and wellbeing . Reporting directly to the a ssociate v ice p resident for the New Jersey d epartment, the s enior p rogram o fficer (SPO) serves as a senior strategic leader with responsibility for advancing and implementing the New Jersey d epartment’s priorities through strategy , relationship development and grantmaking aligned with the Foundation’s broader strategic framework. The SPO is expected to exercise significant judgment and leadership in shaping programmatic direction, stewarding key partnerships, and making day ‑ to ‑ day decisions related to strategy implementation, grantmaking, and field engagement, while partnering closely with the a ssociate v ice p resident and departmental leadership on overall strategic direction. We are seeking a candidate with direct experience working to advance advocacy, policy or practice change, and other system change strategies that impact health equity. Candidates will have strong networks across New Jersey, a commitment to and expertise in integrating methodologies that interrogate and address equity, structural racism, and intersectional forms of oppression at all levels of their role. They will also bring an unwavering commitment to marrying science, advocacy, and the lived experience of communities that have been historically marginalized in New Jersey to the role. As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the senior program officer is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles .

Requirements

Deep social justice values and commitment to the practice of racial justice , health equity , and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles .
Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, including fluency with related concepts of structural racism, intersectionality , and other systemic biases and their impact on health .
Successful experience fostering an inclusive environment working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team with people from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
Education and experience equivalent to an advanced degree and extensive experience and proven leadership in the field for specific content knowledge related to equity and antiracism in healthcare.
Written, verbal, and analytical skills; demonstrated persuasive and respectful presentation skills for communications to be used with internal leadership, external partners, and communities we are working to reach on a range of complex issues.
Ability to strategically manage and disperse large sums of grants through budgeting and strategic financial projections .
Comfort with using social media tools to further RWJF’s work.
Familiarity with, but not necessarily a professional background in philanthropy and philanthropic processes.
Ability to travel, including site visits and representing RWJF at outside meetings.
Ability to provide mentorship/guidance to encourage the development of staff.
Minimum of seven (7) years' experience related to the required qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Nine (9) years of demonstrated experience working in New Jersey to advance justice, equity ‑ centered policy, advocacy, and systems change —such as through state or local policy engagement, advocacy coalitions, intermediary organizations, healthcare or public health systems, or community ‑ rooted initiatives—with established relationships and credibility across New Jersey’s non profit, civic, policy, and community landscapes and familiarity with organizing strategies, coalition dynamics, and advocacy pathways (local/state).
Twelve (12) years of demonstrated experience working in New Jersey to advance justice, equity ‑ centered policy, advocacy, and systems change —such as through state or local policy engagement, advocacy coalitions, intermediary organizations, healthcare or public health systems, or community ‑ rooted initiatives—with established relationships and credibility across New Jersey’s non-profit, civic, policy, and community landscapes and familiarity with organizing strategies, coalition dynamics, and advocacy pathways (local/state).

Responsibilities

Manage a robust grantmaking portfolio and budget .
C enter equity, structural racism, and intersectional forms of oppression in learning, program development, program management, and strategy development, including adoption/adaptation of equitable grantmaking processes.
Design and implement new initiatives and bodies of work that advance the New Jersey d epartment and organizational goals and objectives .
Serve as a strategic thought partner with the a ssociate v ice p resident and other staff in identifying strategic objectives and direction.
Evaluate new proposals for alignment with strategic objectives .
Practice trust-based philanthropy behaviors (clarity, responsiveness, feedback, transparency, reducing burdens) and c ultivate, nurture, and sustain trusting relationships with grantees, community partners, and field leaders to inform program development, implementation, and management of programs.
Partner with grantees on capacity - strengthening (strategy, partnerships, sustainability, leadership transitions, governance, learning).
Play a lead role in shaping, stewarding, and learning from intermediary partnerships that are central to the New Jersey d epartment’s strategy, ensuring alignment with equity goals, community accountability, and systems ‑ change outcomes.
Leverage deep knowledge of New Jersey’s policy, advocacy, healthcare, and community ‑ based ecosystems to identify opportunities for systems change and to inform investment, partnership, and engagement strategies across the state.
Track progress of programs and grants toward department goals and objectives , synthesizing an d integrating the learnings to inform and evolve strategic directions.
Actively learn about field advancements and the external environment and apply those learnings to program and strategy development.
Document and disseminate learning from program investments and activities.
Contribute to influencing change through sharing knowledge and connecting leaders and organizations, applying expertise and strategic advice.
Connect grantees to technical assistance , peer learning, convenings , and other RWJF resources ( e.g., comm unication s, research/evaluation, policy ).
Work with departments across the Foundation to share learnings widely and shape conversations and actions through websites, social media, and more .
Partner/collaborate with associate vice president and team to provide insight and guidance on strategic direction, programmatic strategies, grantmaking, grant management, and community partnerships.
Provide coaching/mentorship to team members and in the development of team members; may oversee the work of program associates and interns as assigned.
Collaborate in a highly matrixed environment by highlighting the connections across work/teams and connecting people internally and externally.
Model and cultivate team norms, with particular focus on equity and racial sensitivity.
Represent the Foundation publicly regarding strategy, program direction, program funding, and grantmaking results.
Convene and facilitate grantee and other partner meetings for shared learning and networking.
Respond to public inquiries about the application processes.
Provide external thought leadership in support of RWJF’s Generational Goals and the New Jersey d epartment’s strategies.
Lead, c ontribute to and participate on committees, workgroups , and internal Foundation groups and teams and carry out other responsibilities assigned.
Contribute to Foundation-wide projects related to strategy and operation initiatives.
Perform other projects and responsibilities, as assigned.

Benefits

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more.
A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job .

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