ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

The Kresge Foundation is one of the top 20 private philanthropic foundations in the United States and the only one focused exclusively on expanding opportunities for people with low-income in American cities. With an endowment of approximately $4 billion and a staff of over 100 employees, the foundation deploys grants and social investments across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development. The foundation’s state-of-the-art headquarters maintains an array of energy-efficient, water-conserving and health-promoting systems. The foundation also operates an office in Detroit’s Midtown district.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Human Services Program Officer is integral to strategy development, advancement, continuous improvement, and the effective implementation of the grant-making program and investment plan. We are seeking a candidate who operates as a learner while also drawing on practical experience, knowledge, and subject matter expertise – someone who will serve as an effective thought partner internally and externally, across sectors, with a focus on a strong social safety net to support families in building intergenerational economic success and wealth.
The ideal candidate will be skilled in analyzing data, public policy, and fiscal notes. They will operate as an adaptive leader, effectively utilizing systems thinking and navigating diverse perspectives, while adhering to the foundation’s core values and commitment to servant leadership.
This is an unprecedented time in the Human Services Sector. We are looking for a Program Officer with the courage and adaptability to help lead through transformative change.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Managing Director and Human Services team to shape and advance grantmaking strategies that align with program goals. Engage in funder and cross-sector collaboratives to drive impact.
• Apply a high level of emotional intelligence - including self-awareness, self-management, emotional regulation, relationship management, and effective conflict resolution, to internal and external interactions.
• Contribute to continuous portfolio evaluations and adapt strategies to ensure identified outcomes are met, while maintaining accountability for annual investment goals and grant targets.
• Stay informed of innovative public system changes and current thinking in the field, focusing on effective approaches that benefit families and support strategic implementation with partners.
• Monitor the public policy landscape and assess its implications for families and the field.
• Participate in national networks, affinity groups, and other external initiatives to advance the program’s strategy, demonstrate thought leadership, and partnership.
• Maintain a focus on centering families when interacting with other human services grantmakers, nonprofit leaders, community leaders, residents, and other public and private sector stakeholders to assess developments in the field and identify strategic points for philanthropic engagement.
• Work independently and collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to align efforts and represent the team in working groups and committees.
• Design and lead initiatives such as grantee cohorts, learning and action communities, demonstration projects, and competitions as required.
• Prepare strategy papers and written materials for management and the Board of Trustees individually or as part of team efforts.
• Manage grants by composing write-ups and summaries, defining outcomes and evaluation criteria, reviewing reports, interpreting results, reaching grant targets, and evaluating proposals and letters of inquiry.
• Collaborate with the Social Investment Practice team to explore alternative forms of capital support for human services organizations and contribute to the program’s embrace of social investment tools in collaboration with the Social Investment Practice team.
• Conduct site visits, place-based learning sessions, and engage with prospective and current grant partners to deepen understanding and collaboration.
• Commit to ongoing self-development and ongoing professional growth opportunities.
• Prioritize multiple tasks effectively, use project management techniques, and adhere to deadlines consistently.
• Solve problems, collaborate, and make quality and informed decisions, aligned with goals and expectations.
• Conduct effective data analysis, effectively apply systems thinking, and demonstrate adaptive leadership skills.
• Manage differing perspectives and viewpoints, fostering productive dialogue.
• Demonstrate commitment to the foundation’s core values and servant leadership philosophy.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the foundation’s mission and team tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field is required.
• Minimum of five years of experience and leadership in a combination of the public and private human services sector or a related field, and/or human services within philanthropy, with a demonstrated commitment to addressing and understanding historical and structural barriers that have impeded economic success for marginalized groups is essential.
• Experience working in public human services systems at the local, state, or federal level, including a basic understanding of the key public funding streams that support the social safety net, is preferred.
• Strong alignment to the foundation’s vision, values, and commitment to equity, with the ability to demonstrate that commitment in daily interactions.
• Proven ability to co-create initiatives with public, non-profit, and community partners, and to lead collaborative, cross-sector, and multi-level efforts.
• Awareness and/or understanding of promising practices and approaches to support family economic mobility and well-being, such as family coaching, the 2 Generation Approach, brain science-informed practices, human-centered design, and strength-based practices.
• Previous experience in grantmaking, fund deployment, or lending experience is preferred.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Experience navigating public policy development and key public sector mechanisms for systems change.
• Proficiency in financial analysis, including the ability to analyze audited financials, balance sheets, and business plans of nonprofit organizations; familiarity with complex financial instruments desirable.
• Effective time-management skills and a demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload.
• Experience in project development and management, including budgets, work plans, and contract negotiation.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; able to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as a part of a team.
• Experience working collaboratively across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors.
• Willingness and ability to travel nationally up to 30%.
• Residency in Metropolitan Detroit is required.

This position is full-time. The starting salary for this position begins at $140,545.00 per year. Individual offers will be based on the candidate’s years of experience and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation.

• Collaborate with the Managing Director and Human Services team to shape and advance grantmaking strategies that align with program goals. Engage in funder and cross-sector collaboratives to drive impact.
• Apply a high level of emotional intelligence - including self-awareness, self-management, emotional regulation, relationship management, and effective conflict resolution, to internal and external interactions.
• Contribute to continuous portfolio evaluations and adapt strategies to ensure identified outcomes are met, while maintaining accountability for annual investment goals and grant targets.
• Stay informed of innovative public system changes and current thinking in the field, focusing on effective approaches that benefit families and support strategic implementation with partners.
• Monitor the public policy landscape and assess its implications for families and the field.
• Participate in national networks, affinity groups, and other external initiatives to advance the program’s strategy, demonstrate thought leadership, and partnership.
• Maintain a focus on centering families when interacting with other human services grantmakers, nonprofit leaders, community leaders, residents, and other public and private sector stakeholders to assess developments in the field and identify strategic points for philanthropic engagement.
• Work independently and collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to align efforts and represent the team in working groups and committees.
• Design and lead initiatives such as grantee cohorts, learning and action communities, demonstration projects, and competitions as required.
• Prepare strategy papers and written materials for management and the Board of Trustees individually or as part of team efforts.
• Manage grants by composing write-ups and summaries, defining outcomes and evaluation criteria, reviewing reports, interpreting results, reaching grant targets, and evaluating proposals and letters of inquiry.
• Collaborate with the Social Investment Practice team to explore alternative forms of capital support for human services organizations and contribute to the program’s embrace of social investment tools in collaboration with the Social Investment Practice team.
• Conduct site visits, place-based learning sessions, and engage with prospective and current grant partners to deepen understanding and collaboration.
• Commit to ongoing self-development and ongoing professional growth opportunities.
• Prioritize multiple tasks effectively, use project management techniques, and adhere to deadlines consistently.
• Solve problems, collaborate, and make quality and informed decisions, aligned with goals and expectations.
• Conduct effective data analysis, effectively apply systems thinking, and demonstrate adaptive leadership skills.
• Manage differing perspectives and viewpoints, fostering productive dialogue.
• Demonstrate commitment to the foundation’s core values and servant leadership philosophy.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the foundation’s mission and team tasks