Workforce Program Officer

Organizational Overview

The Greater New Orleans Foundation has been a trusted philanthropic leader in the 13-parish Greater New Orleans region for 100 years. Our vision is to create a vibrant, sustainable, and just region for all, and our mission is to drive positive impact through philanthropy, leadership, and action. As a community foundation, our resources are comprised of more than 1,000 charitable funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations with a passion for charitable giving and a deep commitment to the Greater New Orleans region. As a civic leader, we bring together passionate people from nonprofits, business, government, and philanthropy to address our region’s greatest challenges.

The Foundation is an inspiring, engaging, challenging, thought-provoking, diverse, and dynamic place to work and advance your career. We pride ourselves on investing in high-quality staff members and encouraging success by allowing individuals the opportunity to both contribute and enhance their skills and talents as well as to share their unique perspectives as we address community challenges. Our workplace environment nurtures a diverse team and results in a broad base of staff knowledge and talent.

To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.gnof.org.

Position Overview

The Workforce Program Officer is essential in sustaining Workforce programming by supporting relationship-building with stakeholders, content development, convening planning and delivery, fundraising, and grantmaking support. The Workforce Program Officer reports to the Director of Workforce Programs and interacts with all levels of staff to perform program responsibilities and build relationships with donors, grantees, nonprofits, and community stakeholders as a representative and ambassador of the Foundation.

Principal Duties

Relationship Management and Communication

Supports the development of trusting relationships with various stakeholders, including the convening of businesses partners and community-based organizations through sector partnerships and communities of practice.
Coordinates consistent outreach with community members to strengthen relationships and inform constituents of upcoming initiatives.
Conducts meetings with constituents, both individually leading and supporting the Director of Workforce Programs and other Foundation staff with more prominent or high-profile convenings.
Coordinates with consultants to support Workforce projects and activities and manages related administration, including reviewing proposals, preparing contracts, and processing invoices.
Manages content development for convening communications, social media posts, web copy, blogs, newsletters, e-blasts, Foundation collateral, and meeting materials in coordination with the Director of Workforce Programs and the Foundation Communications team.

External and Internal Convening Support

Supports convening agenda development process, proposing content and activities to guide participants toward desired outcomes, ensures stakeholder alignment with the convening approach, and acts as a thought partner with the Director of Workforce Programs to design convenings.
Facilitates convenings within the Workforce priority areas, leading discussions, answering questions, and guiding participants.

Grant writing and Grantmaking Support

Conducts research, drafts proposals, and tracks data to contribute to the grant writing process in support of the Director of Workforce Programs and Strategic Partnerships Officer.
Tracks and reports data for grant reporting.
Drafts grant write-ups, agreements, and memorandums.
With the support of the Grantmaking team, improves grant guidelines, applications, rubrics, and reporting templates for Workforce grants.
Conducts due diligence including reviewing proposals and financials for eligibility, accuracy, and viability.
Develops content expertise on community needs and opportunities in workforce grantmaking through research and other sources.
Stays abreast of trends and promising practices in the field of workforce and equitable grantmaking.
Shares relevant content with the Director of Workforce Programs, reviewing and summarizing relevant pieces related to Foundation workforce initiatives.

Project Management

Ensures coordination and organization of the Foundation’s various workforce projects.
Collects and analyzes data and presents results to the Director of Workforce Programs.
Manages the convening calendar in partnership with the Director of Workforce Programs.
Works with the Program Assistant to help schedule convenings and manage workshop and convening logistics, including arrangements for food/drink and room set-up.
Captures notes and next steps, summarizing and developing an understanding of how specific meetings fit within the context of the overall work.
Manages budgets for the workforce project grants and communicates updates with the Director of Workforce Programs.
Manages CRM data updates, including adding contacts and ensuring adequate follow-up.
Manages convening RSVPs and reminders, coordinating with the Communications team to develop emails and convening materials.

Cross-Program and Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Supports additional programmatic efforts as funding dictates.
Seeks opportunities for creating synergies and collaborations between areas, avoiding the isolation of working in a silo.
As a Foundation’s Programs Department member, provides occasional support for special projects and initiatives in other program areas or departments.

Remain Flexible about Work Assignments

Because of the fluid and evolving nature of work at the Foundation, the Workforce Program Officer may occasionally be asked to take on other assignments not covered in this position description. The Workforce Program Officer is expected to demonstrate openness and flexibility when asked to take on these new assignments.

Required Qualifications

Has a deep understanding of workforce policy and the workforce ecosystem’s challenges, including employer concerns.
The ability to coordinate and execute effective and engaging convenings.
The ability to facilitate at least small groups (e.g., 5-6 people), conduct one-on-one meetings with stakeholders to align on convening strategy, and adapt to dynamic shifts during the facilitation.
Expertise in managing and analyzing budgets.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including simplifying and effectively communicating complex topics.
Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including vendors, nonprofits, board members, and foundation partners.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage time and resources to complete daily tasks and projects and make clear and timely decisions.
Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office, experience with data management, and the ability to quickly learn and utilize new technology.
A preference for a quick pace of work while maintaining high levels of detail orientation and accuracy.
Receptiveness to feedback and course correction and willingness to learn.

Experience & Education

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience).
3-5 years of grantmaking, nonprofit management, workforce development, and/or education/training experience preferred.
Experience in program evaluation, including tracking and reporting data.
Experience and strength managing partnerships and coordinating across initiatives.
Familiarity with project management best practices.
Salary commensurate with experience.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range is $65,000-$85,000; starting salary will be commensurate with experience. This position is exempt, and the employee will be eligible for the Foundation’s competitive health and benefits plan including paid leave and employer-paid retirement. The Workforce Program Officer must be located in, or willing to relocate to the Greater New Orleans region.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@gnof.org with the subject line, “Workforce Program Officer Search.” Only complete applications will be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Greater New Orleans Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.