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. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., and reducing corruption in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program, and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsible and responsive democracy, as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. Organizations supported by the Foundation work in about 50 countries. In addition to Chicago, MacArthur has offices in India and Nigeria. For more information, please visit our website at www.macfound.org.

The Foundation is beginning to explore new areas of work (the “what” of grantmaking); the New Work Exploration team is responsible for managing the process of researching, developing, and proposing potential new areas of grantmaking to Foundation leadership and the Board. It also identifies and amplifies innovative or enhanced modes of work (the “how” of grantmaking) for the Foundation.

The Program Officer, New Work Exploration, works with the team’s Managing Director and colleagues on all aspects of the strategy’s grantmaking to ensure its success. The Program Officer will apply their expertise in relevant field(s) to the development and implementation of grantmaking strategies. In this role, the Program Officer will be called upon to deliver in a dynamic and busy environment, and consistently produce high-quality work; build effective peer relationships throughout the Foundation; work with other departments proactively; anticipate potential issues and propose solutions; offer assistance and service to team members; and present ideas for improvement and be able to create a project plan to execute these improvements. The Program Officer will also maintain and deepen relationships with peer funders, monitor developments in the areas of New Work Exploration, periodically publish Perspective pieces on the Foundation’s website, speak at public events, and represent MacArthur to external audiences.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify prospective grant recipients and work with prospective grant partners to develop proposals that advance new program exploration

• Review and evaluate proposals

• Conduct background research and due diligence, prepare grant recommendations for administrative and Board consideration, and respond to unsuccessful proposals

• Monitor the performance of grants and the implementation of grant strategies

• Manage a caseload of active grants, review periodic reports and maintain accurate records and constructive contact with grantees

• Organize meetings of prospective grant partners, program advisors, and others in relevant fields

• Keep abreast of current events, developments and issues in the field to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to grantmaking

• Write extensively for internal purposes

• Conduct research projects and monitor the performance of research grants

• Build and sustain relationships with colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders, actors and organizations in relevant fields, including public and for-profit sectors

• Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as a speaker or panel participant

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve on internal Foundation committees as appropriate

• Perform other duties as assigned

• Must be willing to travel occasionally

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience working as a practitioner, researcher, or policy professional in a relevant field; previous grantmaking experience is desirable

• Consulting experience in a firm or practice a plus

• Deep knowledge of philanthropic practice, including direct experience with one or more of grantmaking, strategy, evaluation, governance, communications, or operations

• Firsthand experience working in a nonprofit organization

• Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing and public speaking

• Experience in strategic communications and project management

• Self-confident, collegial, and diplomatic, with an appreciation of the role of a grantmaking institution

• Computer literate, with a high level of comfort with new applications

• Other essential skills include: effectiveness in interpersonal relations with a proven ability to work as part of a team; the ability to organize and convey problems and issues clearly and succinctly; ease with and openness to people who hold diverse views; a talent for managing multiple tasks with significant initiative

Annual salary for this role will start at $120,700.

The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois.

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.