At the Horizon Foundation, we are leading community change so that everyone in Howard County can live a longer, better life. As the largest independent health philanthropy in Maryland, we run innovative initiatives, collaborative partnerships, strategic grantmaking and thoughtful advocacy campaigns – all geared toward improving health and wellness in our community.
When you join the Horizon Foundation, you are joining a team that is committed to addressing serious health challenges in Howard County. Since 1998, the Foundation has invested more than $55 million in 300 community programs. Our track record shows we are making progress. For example, we successfully piloted fresh fruit and salad bars and new school lunch menus, leading to the school system’s expansion of the changes to all 41 elementary schools. We launched a racial equity learning collaborative with five grantee organizations and hosted a racial equity summit with 600 community members attending. And we led a community-wide initiative to change the norms around sugary drinks that resulted in a 20 percent drop in soda sales.
We are seeking a Senior Program Officer to lead innovative areas of work particularly in the areas of racial equity and grants management. This position is integral to helping the Foundation achieve its impact goals.
This position will report to the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and work closely with the program staff in addition to other internal stakeholders and the broader community. Certain applicants may possess the additional experience, skills, and abilities, to be considered for a higher level, Program Director, position.
Primary Responsibilities
Lead all equity-related initiatives of the Foundation including helping to develop strategic direction of work moving forward, engaging communities of color to help them build power, interacting with other foundations/peers in the region/nation doing similar equity work, overseeing and recruiting equity consultants, managing related grantmaking, community awareness events, and training programs and facilitating a grantee collaborative exploring equity-related policy campaigns. To learn more about the Foundation’s current equity work, see http://www.thehorizonfoundation.org
Administer the Foundation’s grantmaking process. Serve as the Foundation's principal contact with potential grant applicants and as the administrative contact for all awarded grantees. Along with the CPO and other program staff, analyze and evaluate external grant requests related to assigned priority areas including the strength of the proposed grant activity, outcome measures to be achieved and the organization's health and stability. Contribute to the development and monitoring of quality and performance indicators. Lend staff support to the Foundation’s Grant Committee.
Provide creative, innovative and thoughtful leadership in program development, program funding and program execution. Contribute to the design and implementation of existing and new team initiatives. Working closely with the CPO and other program staff, help design the Foundation’s approach to achieving assigned strategic goals and take the lead in implementing program plans to include: (a) recruiting community partners and potential grantees; (b) contracting with vendors; (c) producing work plans, timelines and monitoring budgets; (d) analyzing public policy changes; and (e) developing accountability measures.
Offer technical assistance to grantees via grantee meetings, site visits and one-on-one consultation.
Lead the Howard County Health Assessment Survey process, Grantee Satisfaction Survey process and other data collection efforts of the Foundation, as assigned. Annually, the Foundation surveys its grantees to better understand how to improve its grantmaking and technical assistance function. Periodically, the Foundation and its partners also field a comprehensive health survey of county residents that helps drive joint strategic planning and program development.
Represent the Foundation at local meetings, committees, task forces and events. Mobilize and partner with local organizations critical to solving community health problems, including community health organizations, faith organizations, health care providers, social service and aging agencies and organizations supporting minority health.
Complete special projects as assigned by the President and CEO or Chief Program Officer.
Our ideal candidate is:
- a seasoned professional with 5 to 7 years of relevant experience looking to advance his/her career and make a difference. Experience working in a philanthropic setting a plus;
- a person with equity-related content expertise and experience conducting and/or leading equity programming and/or initiatives;
- an individual with a master’s degree;
- passionate about social change, with an emphasis on making a difference for people facing the greatest health challenges;
- strongly interested in public policy, systems change, advocacy and working in a mission-driven environment;
- someone who cares about the Howard County and broader Maryland community;
- a strong project manager who can effectively manage time, meet multiple competing deadlines, quickly develop written materials, maintain a positive attitude under pressure and manage budgets;
- an expert communicator with exceptional writing and oral presentation skills;
- accustomed to working with a broad array of community organizations, particularly organizations representing lower-income residents and communities of color;
- an initiative-taker who knows how to work independently and efficiently;
- a creative and proactive problem solver who can tackle challenges with a positive, can-do attitude;
- comfortable presenting Foundation positions to people who may (not) agree with them; and
- willing to work non-traditional hours on occasion (nights and/or weekends).
We would be so excited if you also have:
- a good sense of humor (i.e., we like to laugh) and a generally positive outlook;
- strong interpersonal skills;
- the ability to work independently and as a team member in a small group, collegial environment where differing viewpoints and give-and-take are expected and encouraged;
- high energy, maturity and creativity; and
- tolerance for occasional ambiguity and unplanned changes in the environment that may shift day-to-day task priorities.
- Candidates who wish to considered at the Program Director level must also possess:
- at least 10 years of related work experience;
- an employment history reflective of a mid-to-upper level career professional;
- prior experience working in a philanthropic institution with both grantmaking and grant monitoring responsibilities;
- demonstrated equity-related content expertise and additional experience leading equity programming and/or initiatives; and
- the skills needed to be the Foundation’s team lead on multiple, concurrent strategic priority areas.
Salary is commensurate with experience and the overall compensation package includes a comprehensive set of benefits. A Senior Program Officer at the Foundation can expect to earn at least $80,000. Please send resumes or inquires to apply@thehorizonfoundation.org. No phone calls, please. The Horizon Foundation is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff and is an equal opportunity employer.
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