We are seeking an exceptional candidate for Program Officer, Research & Development to work deeply with the Solutions and Transformation teams within the foundation’s Postsecondary Success strategy. The Solutions Team is responsible for developing and delivering high-impact, evidence-based solutions that can help transform postsecondary institutions so that many more low-income, students of color achieve greater momentum and success in their undergraduate education, to help achieve strategy goals. The Transformation Team is responsible for understanding how colleges and universities transform themselves to dramatically improve their performance and eliminate student success gaps and translating that understanding into useful tools, methods, and resources.
This skilled collaborator will partner with both teams to deepen understanding and knowledge of research and development methodologies and approaches to develop and scale innovative tools and institutional practices that promote greater access and success for postsecondary students. In addition, this individual will work closely with the Delivery team to understand how these tools and practices are being adopted and implemented in the field at scale. The Program Officer (PO) will report to the Deputy Director (DD) of Solutions but will work closely with Program Officers from across the Postsecondary Success strategy.
- Understand, design, and validate research and development (R&D) methodologies based on leading practice from different sectors to manage a portfolio of investments related to solutions and postsecondary institution transformation tools, methods, and resources.
- Work collaboratively with Program Officers from both Solutions and Transformation teams to apply these R&D methodologies across multiple portfolios to improve and integrate solutions and institutional transformation tools, methods, and resources at scale.
- Leverage basic, applied, qualitative, and quantitative research approaches to inform investment strategies so that solutions and institutional transformation tools, methods, and resources improve and have even greater impact and efficacy (in terms of adoption, student impact, integration, and affordability).
- Create and curate resources essential for teamwide learning and field engagement in the effective application of R&D practices and methodologies, as relevant to the PS strategy; when necessary, lead that teamwide capability development and learning on effective R&D practices and methodologies.
- In collaboration with other Program Officers, prospect, develop, and execute high impact and strategic investment opportunities that strengthen solutions or transformation tools (often complex, multi-stakeholder investments including RFPs and potential PRI investments) to further the PS team’s impact.
- Carry out research and literature reviews, landscape analyses and other analytical and technical reviews on a regular basis to track and understand how best to improve R&D approaches across various PS portfolios.
- Provide written analysis and presentations and summaries of key topics for foundational leadership and external partner audiences.
- Provide guidance, consultation, and support to grantees and external stakeholders to achieve desired impact of grants; organize and conduct site visits when appropriate, provide technical guidance, lead and convene meetings (internal and external) and apply and evaluate milestone-based performance objectives to achieve successful outcomes. Nurture and optimize lasting and high impact relationships with key partners and grantees.
- Manage internal processes and portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, grant budgeting and reporting. Improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Knowledge and first-hand experience in solution or product innovation, improvement, and integration.
- Experience with product design, development, launch, refinement – you will have played a key role in the development, launch, and improvement of multiple products (commercial, technology, or health sector preferred).
- Knowledge of both basic and applied research methodologies as they apply to education, social impact, and/or commercial innovation ecosystems.
- Disciplined, enthusiastic, and effective collaborator across organizational units; people relish an opportunity to work with you.
- Strategic thinker and doer – able to wrestle with complex and multi-dimensional problems. Excellent ability to lead complex projects, manage multiple internal and external stakeholders, and to bring complex ideas to fruitful execution and implementation.
- Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of a high performing team and contribute to the foundation’s broader collective success and improving both the PS strategy and the Solution team’s performance.
- Growth mindset and ability to adapt in a dynamic and feedback rich environment.
- Quantitative, analytical, writing, and verbal skills essential for communicating progress and stewardship with a diverse audience including internal foundation leadership as well as external market leaders such as college and university leadership, investors, solution and education entrepreneurs, learning science and evaluation researchers, philanthropic partners
- Creates energy and positivity across teams. Trustworthy and reliable partner across the PS strategy and in the field.
- Preferred: Design thinking and/or detailed product engineering or product development experience in higher education markets
- Experience working across a matrix organization structure, often as evidenced by consulting and related prior experience
- Strategic philanthropy or social impact investing experience preferred but not necessary