The Organization
The Nathan Cummings Foundation seeks applications for the position of Program Associate (PA) to join our Voice, Creativity and Culture program team. This is a full-time position available immediately and is a great opportunity to a mission-driven candidate interested in a job in the philanthropic sector that provides stimulating challenges as well as developmental opportunities.
The Foundation is a multi-generational family foundation, rooted in the Jewish tradition of social justice and committed to creating a more just, vibrant, sustainable and democratic society. As a family foundation, the Board of Trustees is actively engaged in the affairs of the Foundation. Located in New York City the Foundation’s grantmaking, concentrated in the U.S. with a history of support in Israel, is focused on four key areas: an inclusive, clean economy; racial and economic justice, voice, creativity and culture, and corporate and political accountability and has expanded its approaches beyond grantmaking through a strong fellowship program and impact investing. The Foundation encourages creative thinking and individual growth in a work environment where all employees, no matter their gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, education, disability or backgrounds are valued and respected. Visit us at www.nathancummings.org.
Position Overview
Working Relationships and Role
The Program Associate (PA) for the Voice, Creativity and Culture (VCC) focus area reports to VCC’s two Program Directors, with access to the Vice President of Programs who leads the program team. The PA works as part of a team implementing program goals and strategies to amplify the voices of storytellers, faith leaders, journalists and activists and will be a key member of the team in providing assistance to the Directors through a variety of responsibilities related to the operational and administrative support, research, analysis, and coordination of programmatic activities. The PA will also have interactions with other departments in support of the Foundation’s grantmaking and programming.
The successful candidate will be a trusted partner capable of dealing with a variety of responsibilities in maintaining effective relationships with people at all levels on behalf of the program team. She/he/they will be thoughtful, highly motivated, energetic, collaborative, and congenial, with well-developed communication and organizational skills. The work is detail-oriented and requires flexibility, patience, good humor, and discretion. Perhaps most importantly, the PA must maintain a positive “can do” attitude to deal with the norm as well as the unexpected. The ideal candidate will feel challenged and excited to take on small and large tasks essential to the Foundation’s success and she/he/they individual growth.
Principal Responsibilities Include:
General Administrative
· Serve as point of contact for calls, emails, visitors and general information resource for the team
· Provide daily operational, administrative support to include expense reports, travel, drafting, proofreading, and editing correspondence and coordinating administrative functions with peer associates to ensure sufficient coverage of program team tasks and assignments
· Manage workflow and logistics for VCC team meetings and retreats, event planning and coordinating essentials, develop agendas, create meeting materials, document learning from internal and external meetings, and manage details to ensure projects are completed on time.
· Perform other duties or special projects such as those that may cut across other Foundation departments including set up and cleanup of Foundation-wide events and meetings.
Program and Conferences
· Participate in the development of Voice, Creativity and Culture’s strategy
· Evaluate prospective grantees through Letters of Inquiry and exploratory meetings; site visits, special convening opportunities communication about proposals and grantmaking process/decisions
· Assist Directors and Communication Associate in drafting, monitoring and tracking grantee news and announcements to identify content that can be shared with internal and external audiences
· Help VCC Directors the Grants Management team develop annual plans, track VCC program schedules so that internal deadlines are met; track the grantmaking budget, reconcile and keep up-to-date, and prepare budget reports.
· Support program integration through grant monitoring and reporting Carefully review grant reports and requests for modifications, extensions, and transfers, correspond with grantees about deficiencies, and perform a preliminary analysis of proposals, including but not limited to financial statements – take necessary actions and keep all appropriate staff informed
· Ensure grant files are complete; enter all related information, attach documents and update records as necessary; review and proofread dockets, reports, and other program materials, write summary papers and reports; prepare (generate) docket materials, and assist program team with the preparation of relevant materials for presentations, reports, reviews, and evaluations
· Generate grantee notifications, letters of agreement, payment letters, modification letters and generate reports, and maintain database.
· Undertake independent research projects in program area(s), coordinate, convene, and/or attend meetings related to program interests, participate in professional conferences and meetings on behalf of the VCC Program Team and the broader Program Team, and maintain communications with nonprofit partners and key stakeholders.
Board
· Work with VCC team, program team and others to organize and draft Board meeting materials and presentations; generate and edit board book documents
· Participate in organizing and planning Board Education Days; schedule conference call meetings for Board Committees
· Respond to general inquiries from Board members
Qualifications
· BA degree in a relevant field and at least 3 years of administrative and/or program support experience
· Superior written communication skills; excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills
· Team player with effective interpersonal and collaboration skills; proficient at managing competing priorities;
· Strong administration and project management skills with attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
· Diplomacy in handling sensitive information; willingness to learn and work across diverse program areas
· Proficient and comfortable in the use of IT applications and ability to apply these efficiently
· Dedicated to issues central to the Foundation’s mission and values
Compensation and Benefits: Salary $70,000.00 -$75,000.00 annually, plus generous benefits including retirement plan, foundation-paid medical, vision and dental insurance coverage, TransitChek, long-term disability and life insurance, vacation & holidays, professional development and tuition reimbursement funds.
How To Apply
To apply – In One PDF file, please send a cover letter explaining why this position would be great for you and vice-versa; a current resume, two 5-8 page relevant writing samples, three references (at least two professional); and any other information that might be useful in evaluating your candidacy for this position. Please submit applications to recruit@nathancummings.org. The application review process will begin on September 16, 2019, and will continue until the position is filled. No telephone calls, please.
Hiring policy The Nathan Cummings Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that participates in fair-chance hiring practices, and candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. As an organization deeply committed to diversity of experience, NCF values and welcomes candidates from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds, including community-based organizations, policy organizations, government, national nonprofits or the private sector.
This is an exempt position