The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation's largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. We work on a few big bets that strive toward transformative change in areas of profound concern, including the existential threats of climate change, the challenges of criminal justice reform, revitalizing local news in the U.S., and corruption in Nigeria.

In addition, we maintain enduring commitments in our hometown Chicago, where we invest in people, places, and partnerships to build a more inclusive Chicago and in journalism and media, where we invest in more just and inclusive news and narratives.

We also make awards to extraordinarily creative individuals through the MacArthur Fellows program and for solutions to critical problems of our time through 100&Change.
For more information, please visit our website at www.macfound.org.

The New Work Exploration team is responsible for researching, developing, and proposing new areas of grantmaking and ways of working for the Foundation. With direction from the Board and Foundation leadership, we source ideas internally and externally; explore them through research, convening, consultation, and grantmaking; develop initial strategic frameworks; and propose forms these ideas could take, whether short-term initiatives or longer-term programs. We collaborate with teams across the Foundation in pursuit of these goals.

The Program Development Officer is a strategic and visionary team player, responsible for identifying, exploring, and shaping emerging ideas into coherent, impactful program areas and initiatives aligned with the Foundation’s mission and values. In addition to grantmaking, this role involves deep research, stakeholder engagement, field scanning, and creative ideation to build the groundwork for future investments and initiatives – both what we focus on and how we contribute and engage to do so. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial thinker with a strong grasp of complex social issues, systems change, and program design, and an ability to translate strategy into action both in the field and inside philanthropy.

The ideal candidate combines deep professional experience with strong project management skills and a passion for equity-centered social impact.

This role is time-limited for an initial period of 5 years with the possibility of extension.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with thought leaders, community organizations, funders, researchers, and practitioners
• Facilitate convenings or collaborative workshops to surface diverse perspectives and co-create ideas
• Represent the Foundation at sector conferences, convenings, and donor meetings, speaking about the Foundation’s emerging priorities with the appropriate degree of circumspection and diplomacy

Strategic Alignment

• Ensure new program ideas align with organizational mission, values, strengths, opportunities, and strategic priorities

• Work cross-functionally with a range of Programmatic colleagues, Grants Management, Legal, Evaluation and Learning, and Communications to shape feasible and impactful initiatives

Grantmaking

• Identify prospective grant recipients and work with them to develop proposals that advance grantmaking strategies
• Review and evaluate grant proposals, conduct background research and due diligence, and prepare grant recommendations

Research and Exploration

• With guidance and partnership with the New Work Exploration Managing Director, Director, Associates and Coordinator, design and drive research and engagement on emerging trends, unmet needs, and innovative approaches to identifying new areas of work
• Analyze data, evaluate models, and synthesize insights to inform case-making and decision-making

Program Development and Launch Preparation

• Develop concept notes, strategy memos, and preliminary program frameworks for potential new areas of philanthropic investment
• Partner with the New Work Exploration Director and Associates, and Foundation colleagues across functions and programs, to design early-stage pilot programs, research, engagement, and grantmaking approaches to support the stand-up of promising new programs or initiatives

Internal Communication and Reporting

• Present findings and recommendations to the Board, senior leadership, as well as groups of internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to internal learning and knowledge sharing about new Foundation directions

The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois.

Annual salary for this role will start at $120,700. We offer a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and a comprehensive benefits package to support your life, health, and well-being.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; advanced degree (MPA, MPH, MA, PhD, etc.) or equivalent experience
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in philanthropy, nonprofit strategy, policy, or program development
• Proven ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into actionable strategies
• Proven ability to frame ideas, design and stage collaborative interactions, and manage projects from concept to action
• Demonstrated knowledge of philanthropic practices, systems thinking, and community-centered design
• Experience in designing and launching new grantmaking programs or community programs with strategic alignment to governance, positioning and operations
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and on multi-disciplinary teams to both lead and support projects with diplomacy, effectiveness and joy
• Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and driving short-term initiatives in a foundation, large nonprofit or government setting
• Deep understanding of equity-focused or justice-oriented philanthropic approaches
• Network of contacts across issue areas relevant to the Foundation’s mission
• Experience in consulting, client-serving business, nonprofits, philanthropy, or public administration