Program Specialist, Community Impact

At San Diego Foundation, we value our diverse and experienced staff who are committed to our mission of improving the quality of life within all of San Diego’s communities. We strive to be an employer of choice, offering a competitive compensation package, and a professional and vibrant work environment for those who have a passion for our mission that is carried out every day by providing leadership for effective philanthropy and promoting community solutions. 

San Diego Foundation is seeking an experienced, mission driven Program Specialist to join the Community Impact Team. This position will be a vital contributor to the Foundation and support programs within the Inclusive Growth portfolio including our equitable workforce and community responsive grantmaking efforts. The Specialist position is responsible for ensuring the operational and administrative work related to San Diego Foundation’s Children & Families area of grantmaking, with a primary focus on the Healthy Children & Families (HCF) and Black Maternal and Infant Health (BMIH) Initiatives, are developed, coordinated, and maintained, in addition to supporting department operations, communication and convening efforts. This is a hybrid role with weekly onsite requirements at our San Diego Headquarter Office in Liberty Station. 

Essential Responsibilities: 

Program Grantmaking Coordination:   

• Coordinate public-facing RFP grantmaking and related processes for Healthy Children & Families (HCF) and Black Maternal & Infant Health (BMIH) programs, utilizing SDF’s grant management software and other systems as necessary.     

• Support the planning and coordination of annual check-ins with grantee-partners to ensure regular conversations about programs are taking place effectively.  

• Oversee the grant administration process through the creation of grant trackers, grant agreement letters, memos, and related documentation.     

• Track and coordinate grantee check-in timelines and reporting deadlines to ensure grantee communications and data collection are taking place in a timely and well-organized manner.     

• Support grantmaking processes and related document development, application review and approval practices in alignment with Community Impact best practices.    

• Maintain and update outreach contact lists for grant-related communications.  

Data Collection and Impact Reporting   

• Coordinate grantee data collection, testimonial gathering, program-related storytelling by planning and supporting check-ins with grantees at appropriate times throughout the year.   

• Collect, aggregate, and utilize data to create and maintain program impact reporting.     

• Coordinate systems that support information aggregation, organization, and content development.     

• Act as a team expert on the current impact data and plans for future impact reporting plans.  

Team Operations 

• Support the development and maintenance of department operations guides for process documentation, including program-related documents and those that support general team efforts.     

• Plan, evaluate, and improve the efficiency of processes and operations to enhance quality and output of programs.   

• Utilize Asana, SDF’s project management software, to track and maintain project milestone status, and communicate status to the team to include feedback as appropriate and coordinate/confirm plans.    

• Collaborate with team members to coordinate and track strategic plans and annual operations goals via Gantt charts.   

• Implement and maintain departmental communication templates to ensure external messaging meets SDF communication standards.    

• Partner with Specialists to maintain departmental file organization and related systems.   

• Support with tracking updates and training on various software programs in coordination with IT and SDF’s People Team.   

Additional Items:   

• Support the team to ensure others are informed of evolving updates that impact program goals.     

• Create content, including writing, data visualization, and other documents in support of program goals.     

• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Manager, Community Impact. 

Qualifications: 

• A minimum of 3 years of operations and/or program support experience in a private or community foundation, or position in a corporate, government or nonprofit organization. Healthcare and/or public health experience preferred.  

• Passion for the work and mission of San Diego Foundation to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region. Experience with and interest in the social determinants of health, health equity, and/ or related causes preferred.  

• Demonstrated track record in developing and utilizing organizational systems with attention to detail, timeliness, a strong planning and record keeping ability.   

• Ability to work independently and successfully organize and prioritize multiple projects and meet deliverables and deadlines.   

• Professional attitude and demeanor to appropriately and professionally represent the organization with both internal and external constituents.   

• Regularly takes initiative to recognize and anticipate problems and clearly communicate potential solutions.   

• Highly dependable team player with a positive and enthusiastic attitude.   

• Knowledge of the range of regional/local issues as they relate to how they impact quality of life for San Diegans.   

• Demonstrated organization, time and project management skills. Ability to “right size” projects.   

• Knowledge of and interest in advancing the collective impact model of cross-sectoral collaboration.   

• Strong emotional intelligence with excellent interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.   

• Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment where adapting to change is necessary and the ability to multi-task successfully is critical.   

• Advanced knowledge and proficiency with computer software applications: MS Windows, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Google Docs; database/contact management software experience, data visualization software and Asana experience preferred.    

• The ability to learn and utilize new software applications.  

• Must live in San Diego County 

Language Skills: 

• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently 

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Professional, hybrid work environment in San Diego 

• Fast-paced work with multi-level distractions 

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time at meetings, desk, computer, driving 

• Ability to sit at a desk and view a computer screen for up to two hours 

• Ability to type using a computer keyboard 

• Ability to speak into and use a telephone 

• Salaried, Exempt $67,000.00 - $75,000.00 (San Diego Foundation is committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. Actual offers will be reflective of qualifications, skills and experience, internal equity, alignment with market data, among other relevant factors.)
• Supportive, inclusive company culture; awarded Top Workplace by the San Diego Union Tribune 4 years in a row   

• Flexible 9/80 Alternative workweek schedule, with every other Friday off   

• Hybrid work environment with support for at home office setup   

• 100% Employer paid medical, vision, dental, life, AD&D and long-term disability premiums: 75% Employer-paid premiums for all dependents on your benefits   

• 403B Retirement plan match up to 4% + Annual discretionary contribution   

• Earned Incentive Program   

• 3 weeks of paid time off + 1 additional week off with pay in July for all staff   

• 4-week sabbatical for every 5 years of service   

• 13 paid holidays + 2 paid volunteer days off each year   

• Extended Health Care Time accruing at 2.77 hours per pay period to a cap of 480 hours: use for sick time, family care, and parental leave baby bonding   

• $100 monthly cell and internet reimbursement   

• $75 quarterly gym reimbursement   

• Donor Advised Fund contribution with no minimum and $600 annual match from the Foundation to a nonprofit of your choice   

• Annual service award $100 donation to nonprofit of your choice  

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.