Program Officer, President’s Office

About the role

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 invests in solving some of the world's most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions , promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news , expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence , and strengthening the well-being of Native communities . 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 responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago . The Foundation also has offices in Nigeria and India . The Office of the President at the MacArthur Foundation is responsible for ensuring the Foundation delivers on its philanthropic mission of helping to build a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, by enabling the President to perform at a high level internally and externally and ensuring efficient and effective operations related to the Board of Directors, grant-making, budgeting, and internal leadership and organization. The President's Office also implements strategic grant-making and special initiatives that are in alignment with the Foundation's mission and the President's vision. The Program Officer, President's Office, works with the team's Director and colleagues to ensure the strategic, effective and efficient implementation of grantmaking and special initiatives sponsored by the office. The Program Officer will be called upon to produce, sometimes under pressure, and consistently deliver high-quality work. They must have the gravitas to represent the President well and the ability to build effective relationships internally and externally. This person must be able to move grants and initiatives from concept through implementation, taking initiative, displaying leadership, collaborating with others, anticipating potential issues, and proposing creative solutions. The Program Officer is expected to be highly skilled in strategy and program development, planning, organization, and project management. All President's Office team members serve as extensions of the President, holding the highest standards and executing with rigor and intention. This role is term-limited for an initial period of 5 years, with the possibility of an extension. Essential Duties and Responsibilities : Participate in the design, implementation, refinement and adaptation of grant-making strategies Support the Director, President's Office, in managing the grant-making budget Identify prospective grant recipients and work with prospective grantees to develop proposals that meet internal standards and align with institutional goals and values Conduct background research and due diligence, prepare grant recommendations for the President's consideration, review and evaluate proposals, and respond graciously to unsuccessful proposals Monitor the performance of grants and the implementation of grant strategies Build and maintain relationships with grantees in the portfolio while managing the administrative cycle of a grant, including reviewing reports and maintaining records. Organize meetings and convenings of prospective grantees, program advisors, and others in relevant fields Write extensively for internal purposes Build and sustain relationships with colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders, actors and organizations in relevant fields, including the public and private sectors Assist in the design and implementation of special initiatives 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