Senior Program Officer, System Feedback Loops

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserve the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the foundation emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the global populations it serves. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various community initiatives. The foundation is committed to fostering an environment that supports both personal and professional growth for its employees.

Job Overview:
In the role of Senior Program Officer, System Feedback Loops, you will play a pivotal role in transforming the education-to-workforce data and AI ecosystem to promote equity and opportunity for all learners. This position involves building and integrating essential public good infrastructure to facilitate the implementation of evidence-based AI-native data systems that enhance data feedback loops. This will enable district and postsecondary leaders to access timely insights and collaborate more effectively across sectors, ultimately improving long-term regional outcomes. As the strategy for USP Data & AI evolves, you will lead and coordinate ongoing and emerging investments aimed at enhancing education and workforce data integration, use, and timeliness. This includes improving practitioner-facing data platforms and tools, empowering postsecondary practitioners to utilize data effectively to enhance college enrollment and completion rates. You will manage a diverse portfolio of investments, applying strong project and grant management skills, and leveraging your expertise in building and maintaining partnerships at local and state levels to utilize data more effectively. Collaboration is essential in this role, as you will work closely with both internal and external partners to define objectives, monitor progress, and deliver results that align with the US Program Data & AI strategy, integrating data-developed public goods into their operations. You will report directly to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director, System Feedback Loops.

Duties and Responsibilities:
As a Senior Program Officer, your responsibilities will include serving as a technical resource for the division on education and workforce data partnerships, coordinating with program strategy teams within the US Program to integrate Data-funded public goods and ensure that demonstration pilots align with broader strategic impact goals. You will negotiate, execute, and manage a complex portfolio of grants or performance-based contracts aimed at refining national data platforms and tools, ensuring that high school and postsecondary practitioners have access to effective data in close collaboration with the Postsecondary Success team. Additionally, you will assess, align, and transition existing investments into new or emerging Data & AI portfolios, including key initiatives within the System Feedback Loops portfolio. Your role will also involve developing, leading, resourcing, and implementing a portfolio that aligns with the foundation's strategy and is operationally integrated with other foundation programs. You will review letters of inquiry and grant proposals, providing clear, concise, and insightful written analyses and recommendations for funding, including drafting and editing proposal summaries and progress reports for existing grants for review by foundation leadership. Consulting with grantees to achieve the desired impact of grants will be part of your duties, which may include conducting site visits, providing technical guidance, convening meetings, and applying and evaluating milestone-based performance objectives. You will contribute to the design of new strategies or refine existing ones, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact. Furthermore, you will represent the U.S. Program and the foundation through clear and consistent communication with grantees and partners related to education and workforce data, while also supporting an inclusive culture by modeling appropriate behaviors and escalating issues in a timely manner to relevant stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, you must possess an advanced degree and have proven experience or equivalent working knowledge of education-to-workforce data systems, with the ability to translate insights into actionable assets for district and higher education leaders. You should have demonstrated knowledge of U.S. education and workforce data, including experience in building, expanding, and utilizing key federal, state, and private data sources. Strong contextual translation skills are essential, as you will need to apply complex technical knowledge in education, workforce, or social impact settings and translate emerging technology approaches into educational contexts. A working understanding of generative AI technological advances and related readiness frameworks is necessary, along with the ability to implement these solutions in real-world contexts, particularly in ways that support and uplift Black, Latino, Indigenous students, and students from low-income backgrounds. Experience in successfully collaborating and using informal influence and non-positional leadership to achieve work objectives is crucial, as is the ability to build trust with education partners to develop aligned investments and lead those investments to shared outcomes. You should also have experience in facilitating, leading, and summarizing divergent viewpoints to advance group thinking and effectively synthesize and communicate key takeaways for diverse audiences. Knowledge of how different communities and partners engage with education data systems, incorporating community and partner demands into your work, is also required. Additionally, you should have confirmed knowledge of data issues, including key research, policies, and debates in the field, as well as experience in project and program management, including leading multiple complex projects, timelines, and budgets with shifting internal expectations and priorities.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree is required for this position, which may include fields such as education, public policy, data science, or a related discipline. The advanced degree should be complemented by relevant experience in the education-to-workforce data systems, ensuring that candidates have a strong foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical application in this area.

Experience:
Candidates must have proven experience working with education-to-workforce data systems, demonstrating the ability to translate insights into actionable strategies for district and higher education leaders. This experience should include a strong background in managing complex projects and grants, as well as a track record of successful collaboration with various stakeholders in the education sector. Familiarity with the nuances of U.S. education and workforce data, including federal, state, and private data sources, is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in leading initiatives that leverage data to improve educational outcomes, particularly for underrepresented populations.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external partners. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in communities served by the foundation, to enhance engagement and understanding of diverse populations.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and requires the ability to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship. The salary range for this role is between $190,100 and $294,700 USD, with higher ranges for specific locations such as Seattle and Washington D.C., where the salary range is $209,100 to $324,100 USD. The foundation strives to balance competitive pay with its mission, and new hires typically fall within the range minimum and midpoint based on their job-related skills, experience, and expertise as evaluated during the interview process. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. The organization is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates, offering accommodations for individuals with disabilities or medical conditions as needed. The foundation values diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workplace and employment practices.