Senior Program Manager, AIR Opportunity Fund

The AIR Opportunity Fund is seeking a Senior Program Officer to support and advance the Fund’s grantmaking, research, and partnership activities focused on expanding opportunity and improving outcomes for communities across the United States. As the AIR Opportunity Fund builds depth in workforce and economic opportunity, health, and youth pathways, we are seeking candidates who can strengthen our presence in the Midwest, the Washington, DC, area, or the Deep South. The Senior Program Officer will bring subject-matter knowledge in one or more of these areas, familiarity with the communities and regions we serve, and the initiative to move work forward with direction from senior staff. 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 ideal candidate will bring substantial experience spanning applied research and philanthropy, demonstrated leadership of complex initiatives and partnerships, and the ability to use evidence and field knowledge to inform strategy, funding decisions, and continuous learning. The Fund's strategic priorities and major grantmaking commitments are largely established, and this role will focus on stewarding existing grants and partnerships, monitoring progress, and supporting implementation and learning activities, rather than sourcing, developing, or approving new grants at this time. The selected candidate will work remotely but must be based in or near one of the Fund's priority regions: the Midwest (Chicago or Cleveland preferred), the greater Washington, DC, area, or the Delta Region (Arkansas, Alabama, or Mississippi preferred). Travel to AIR Opportunity Fund events is expected up to 30%. This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. 

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

The responsibilities for the position include:

• 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, 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. 

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• 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.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locs, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.