Program Officer, San José
About the role
The Program Officer (PO), San José plays a critical role in advancing Sobrato Philanthropies’ place-based economic mobility strategy, serving as a strategic anchor for education- and housing-related policy, advocacy, and systems-change efforts in San José. The PO brings deep local expertise in San José’s civic, political, and community landscape and demonstrates strong knowledge of promising strategies that advance a holistic, multi-generational approach to economic mobility.
Responsibilities
Grantmaking Support and Portfolio Management (30%) - Identifies and cultivates potential grantees and aligned initiatives across education, housing, and economic mobility systems in San José. Conducts due diligence on grant proposals, evaluates alignment with strategy, and prepares clear, compelling, Board-facing dockets and funding recommendations. Conducts site visits; provides strategic guidance, technical assistance, and thought partnership to grantees; and maintains strong, ongoing relationships grounded in trust and accountability.
Program Implementation, MEL, and Administrative Support (30%) - Monitors the San José community, policy, and program landscape, staying current on research, local and state policy developments, and trends related to education, housing, and economic mobility. Implements and adapts the foundation’s place-based, community-centered approach, grounding work in local context, lived experience, and organizational capacity building. Supports implementation of the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework, including identifying learning questions, tracking progress, and applying insights to strategy refinement.
Community Engagement, Relationship Building, and Network Cultivation (30%) - Implements and supports the program’s community engagement strategy, including site activation and place-based collaboration. Serves as a connector and trusted partner to grantees, developing a deep understanding of organizational strengths, challenges, and community priorities. Acts as an anchor for San José focused policy and advocacy efforts related to education and housing, engaging with local decision-makers, coalitions, and advocacy partners.
Other Responsibilities as Assigned (10%) - Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education / Training: Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, education, housing, public policy, or the public sector.
Experience/Technical Skills: 5+ years experience in grantmaking, strategically investing grant funds and other resources with due diligence and high accountability. Experience in program implementation in the philanthropic or nonprofit sector, with excellent project planning and management skills, ensuring deliverables are well-executed, on-time, and on budget.
Desired Experience: Demonstrated experience in public–private partnerships and/or cross-sector collaboration. Advanced written and verbal communication skills to effectively interact with diverse internal and external stakeholders. Ability to drive key deliverables effectively and efficiently. Ability to be proactive and constantly prioritize responsibilities in a fast-moving and rapidly changing environment. Works well independently and within a team, demonstrating great initiative, flexibility, and collaboration. Exercises good judgment. Facilitation skills to guide discussions, support collaborative planning, and manage complex stakeholder dynamics. Nonprofit consulting experience or providing strategic technical assistance is a plus.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and dependents on the first of the month following the hire date
Short and long-term disability and life insurance
Fertility program benefits
Comprehensive mental health benefits for employees and dependents
Retail savings account with matching contributions of up to 10%
Twenty PTO days in the first year of service in addition to paid year-end closure days between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Eleven paid holidays
Transit commuter benefits
Tuition assistance and professional development initiatives for growth
Technology allowance
Employee matching gifts program
Generous parental leave
Flexible and inclusive work environment
Catered lunches, healthy snacks and beverages