Impact Officer-Workforce and Career Development

Responsibilities

• Serve as a representative of the Foundation, advancing EMKF's strategic priorities and grantmaking philosophy, goals, and opportunities.
• In collaboration with members of the Impact and Strategy team, evaluate potential grantees and proposals based on strategic fit and organizational capacity.
• Support one or more significant initiatives that address workforce and career development strategies based on research and partner engagement.
• Provide clear, concise, and insightful written analysis and recommendations for funding.
• Establish goals, metrics, and payment and reporting schedules for grants in collaboration with prospective grantees.
• Manage and oversee an assigned grant portfolio with an emphasis on workforce and career development, staying attuned to challenges in the field, grantees' needs, learnings, and opportunities for further impact through:
  • Regular conversations, meetings, and/or site visits
  • Formal reporting on metrics, spending, and learnings
  • Ongoing calibration meetings with Impact and Strategy team members and other EMKF associates
• Prepare requested data and updates for board reports.
• Upon grant closure, provide clear and insightful written analysis of strategic and operational learnings to inform future grantmaking.
• Inform and recommend grantmaking strategies and best practices in workforce development informed by research, community engagement, and emerging trends to advance the Foundation's strategic priorities.
• Build on and deepen existing subject matter expertise on topics related to workforce and career development as a key driver of economic mobility.
• Build trust and influence across internal teams and external stakeholders to advance shared goals, navigate complex challenges, and foster collaborative solutions.

Qualifications

• Highest level of motivation, capable of self-directed work, detail-oriented, and able to work collaboratively across teams and departments.
• A keen sense of responsibility and enjoyment of working with multiple demands, shifting priorities, and constant change.
• A passion for advancing equitable and transformative solutions for communities served by the Foundation.
• Deep knowledge of the challenges and opportunities associated with advancing equitable economic mobility, through professional experience, research, community engagement, or related work.
• Subject matter knowledge related to workforce and career development, and a commitment to continuous learning, using evidence and experience to inform strategic decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, including well-developed interpersonal, written, and listening skills.
• Demonstrated success building relationships with a variety of stakeholders, leveraging existing relationships to facilitate grantmaking that connects to our strategic direction.
• Understanding of organizational and leadership dynamics to identify grantee capacity for success and potential risks.
• Strong judgment, humility, and ability to build trust and navigate difficult conversations thoughtfully.
• Commitment to ongoing reflection, learning, and growing.
• Analyzes and understands financial information (e.g., budgets, forecasts, cash flow statements, and income statements).
• Prioritizes and multi-tasks effectively using excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
• Possesses a passion for "doing what is right," with unquestioned integrity, positive ethics, and values reflective of the Kauffman Foundation.
• Proficiency with collaboration, data analysis, grants management, and productivity technologies, with the ability to leverage emerging tools to improve effectiveness and decision-making.