Senior Program Manager, AIR Opportunity Fund

Working closely with portfolio managers and directors, the Senior Program Officer will lead significant components of the Fund's grantmaking and programmatic initiatives, provide strategic and analytical guidance, and cultivate relationships with grantees, community leaders, researchers, funders, and other key stakeholders. The role will focus on stewarding existing grants and partnerships, monitoring progress, and supporting implementation and learning activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned components of programmatic initiatives from planning through implementation and evaluation under the direction of portfolio managers and directors.
• Represent the Fund at conferences, community meetings, and field-based events within the assigned region, and nationally, as needed.
• Manage multiple projects and workstreams simultaneously, ensuring timely completion of deliverables.
• Conduct research, landscape analyses, and environmental scans to inform funding decisions, program priorities, and new initiatives.
• Synthesize research findings, field insights, and grantee learnings into reports, briefings, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Manage relationships with grantees, community organizations, researchers, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate meetings, convenings, site visits, and other stakeholder engagement activities.
• Contribute subject-matter knowledge in workforce and economic opportunity, health, and/or youth pathways.
• Review grant proposals, conduct due diligence, and develop funding recommendations.
• Monitor grant and program performance, track outcomes, and identify opportunities for learning and improvement.
• Collaborate with AIR researchers, subject matter experts, and operational staff.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public policy, public health, social sciences, education, nonprofit management, community development, or a related field.
• Minimum of seven years of professional experience that includes both applied research and philanthropy, grantmaking, social impact investing, or related funding experience.
• Subject matter expertise in one or more priority areas: workforce and economic opportunity, health, and/or youth pathways.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the communities, organizations, and policy or funding landscape within communities and regions served by the Fund, particularly the Deep South, Cleveland, Chicago, and/or Washington, DC region.
• Demonstrated experience using research, evaluation, or data-driven approaches to inform program design, funding decisions, strategy, or organizational learning.
• Experience managing or supporting grant portfolios, philanthropic initiatives, research projects, or community-based programs.
• Experience working with community-based organizations, research institutions, public agencies, philanthropic organizations, or cross-sector partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously while producing high-quality work.

Skills

• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills, with the ability to evaluate evidence and identify actionable insights.
• Effective communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills and the ability to translate complex information for a variety of audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships across a variety of stakeholders.
• Strong relationship-management and influencing skills, with the ability to establish credibility and build productive relationships with community leaders, grantees, researchers, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Advanced project and program management skills, including experience leading complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, priorities, and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Willingness to travel nationally, as needed.