Job Description

• Date Posted April 7, 2023
• Department Programs
• Location Flint, Michigan

Executive summary

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation seeks a collaborative, creative and dedicated associate program officer to help shape and advance its Education program, which aims to expand opportunities for children and youth to succeed in school, work and \xe2\x80\x94 ultimately \xe2\x80\x94 life. To do this, the program supports organizations that develop, promote and advance innovative ideas, practices and tools, as well as those that help to inform the public policy debate on relevant education issues. As a vital member of the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s Education team, the APO will work closely with a dedicated and dynamic team of colleagues to manage the program\xe2\x80\x99s grantmaking activities based on the priorities and outcomes approved by the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s board of trustees. This position will report to the program director and closely partner with the senior program officer and the entire Education program team. This position offers an opportunity to support the team\xe2\x80\x99s Advancing Afterschool program area and additional Education initiatives.

Education program overview

Education has been a consistent and significant theme of the Mott Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s work. Education as a pathway out of poverty and into self-sufficiency has been a bedrock value of the Foundation since its founding nearly 100 years ago. From its earliest years as a grantmaking institution, the Mott Foundation has explored and funded programs that support, enrich and expand learning opportunities for young people, with a special emphasis on helping students from low-income families and communities. The current Education program plan continues the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s long-standing commitment to education and poverty alleviation. It builds on the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s strong track record of expanding access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning opportunities. Our work is organized around four trustee-approved program areas:

• Advancing Afterschool, through which we work to expand access to afterschool and summer learning opportunities for all children, especially those living in underserved communities.
• Graduating High School College & Career Ready, through which we promote efforts to increase high school graduation rates and encourage more young people to pursue postsecondary education pathways.
• Youth Engagement, through which we provide meaningful opportunities to encourage young people to become involved with their schools, communities and the economy through entrepreneurship and service.
• Special Initiatives, through which we seek to respond to new strategies, unique opportunities, and changing social, economic and political contexts.

In 2021, the Education Program awarded grants totaling $25.5 million across these four program areas, including $15.9 million to expand afterschool and summer learning opportunities for school-age youth nationally. Under the Advancing Afterschool program area, grantmaking expands afterschool and summer learning opportunities for young people and families. The Mott Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s interest in afterschool and summer learning programs spans 80 years of support, from the early development of community schools through collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education\xe2\x80\x99s 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Today, the Mott-supported afterschool ecosystem supports over 8 million young people participating in afterschool and summer learning nationwide.

Opportunities and expectations of the associate program officer

Working closely with a dedicated and dynamic team of colleagues on the Education team and across the Foundation, the APO will share responsibility for developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating grantmaking in the Advancing Afterschool program area. Specifically, the APO will:

• Investigate grant requests and develop grant recommendations.
• Manage, monitor and evaluate individual grants, specific program objectives and the overall grantmaking portfolio.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with current and prospective grantees.
• Develop broad and deep knowledge of education issues, specifically emphasizing afterschool programming.

The APO also will share key learnings and lessons within the Foundation, with grantee partners and with the broader public, and will contribute to the ongoing development and evolution of the Advancing Afterschool program area and overall Education program. Like all program staff, the APO will be expected to represent the Mott Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s interests externally as an advocate for the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s priorities when working with grantees, field leaders and other grantmakers active on issues of mutual interest.

Professional development and advancement

With support and oversight from senior leadership, the APO will be expected to strengthen skills in grantmaking, strategic planning and relationship-building while demonstrating strong collaboration with internal teams. These factors will result in opportunities for continued professional development and advancement within the Foundation.

Qualifications and characteristics of the ideal candidate

The Foundation seeks a candidate who will bring curiosity, creative thinking, and a deep commitment to improving education outcomes and afterschool learning opportunities for young people. While no one person will embody all the qualities listed below, the most competitive candidate will possess several of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes and experiences.

Key qualifications include:

• A bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree is required. A master\xe2\x80\x99s degree is preferred.
• At least five to seven years of experience working on afterschool and/or summer learning, K-12 education, youth development, and/or child- and youth-related issues.
• A commitment to advancing afterschool and summer learning programs as part of a comprehensive education and enrichment strategy for children, youth, families and communities.
• The desire and ability to develop strong relationships and networks with established and emerging nonprofit leaders, funders and leaders at all levels of government.
• A demonstrated commitment to working with diverse communities with shared interests in positive educational outcomes for young people.
• Prior experience creatively and strategically directing limited resources to leverage change and positive outcomes for young people.
• The desire and ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with established and emerging nonprofit leaders and other partners.

Key characteristics include:

• Strong analytical, writing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project-, time- and budget-management skills.
• Willingness to travel in moderation (approximately 30 days per year).
• A good sense of humor.
• Flexibility and the ability to work well as a team member and with other teams/departments throughout the Foundation.

Knowledge of a youth-related area \xe2\x80\x94 such as education, afterschool or youth development \xe2\x80\x94 is desirable, as well as experience strengthening education systems through policy and/or research. Previous grantmaking experience or experience with foundations is desired but not required.

Compensation, benefits and work location

Salary and benefits: This position is full-time, exempt and reports to the Education program director. The salary for this role is commensurate with experience, and the Foundation provides a comprehensive benefits package. Work location: The person filling this position will work out of the Foundation\xe2\x80\x99s headquarters in Flint, Michigan. Flint is located in southeastern Michigan, within commuting distance of Ann Arbor, Lansing and metropolitan Detroit.

To apply

More information about the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation may be found at: www.mott.org. This search is being led by Julian Jackson and Alejandra Villa of NPAG. Candidates should submit a cover letter that speaks to the ideal qualities and skills outlined in this position description, a resume and a current writing sample via NPAG\xe2\x80\x99s website. The application deadline is April 28, 2023. We encourage applicants to submit materials as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

About the Mott Foundation

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, established in 1926 in Flint, Michigan, is a private foundation providing grant support for programs throughout the U.S. and internationally. The Foundation focuses on four programs: Environment, Civil Society, Education and the Flint Area. The Foundation awarded 385 grants totaling approximately $187 million in 2022. In addition to Flint, offices are in metropolitan Detroit, Johannesburg and London. The Mott Foundation is committed to equal opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability or veteran status. The Mott Foundation encourages diversity of thinking, background and perspective among its staff. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.