Background

The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation champions economically disadvantaged youth. We partner with other investors to expand programs with compelling evidence in order to help more vulnerable young people become successful adults. 

EMCF makes large, long-term investments in programs that have demonstrated their effectiveness and potential for growth.  We invest on the basis of sound business planning, aggregate growth capital to implement such plans, and hold grantees accountable for executing their plans by tracking their performance. Our investments help build the evidence and organizational capacity grantees need to improve, expand and sustain their operations at greater scale. 

For more than four decades, the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation has sought to uphold the values that inspired the Clark family to create it.  In our work with grantees and with each other, EMCF and its staff strive to live up to and put into action five core values:   humility, belief in people, pragmatism, trust and high standards.

Position Profile

Reporting to the Director of Portfolio Operations (“the Director”), the Portfolio Associate will support and contribute to teams that oversee investments in and manage relationships with nonprofit youth-serving organizations.  The Associate’s responsible for grantee relationship support, performance and financial analysis work with grantees, production of internal reports, and contributing to key projects relevant to the Foundation’s strategic priorities. 

Position Type

Exempt

Primary Responsibilities[1]

The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to the following:

Support Grantee Relationships (60%)

• Earn and maintain the respect of grantees such that he/she can act as a trusted point of contact with members of the grantee management team and be a supporting resource to strategy development, refinement, and implementation; performance management; and other activities as required in support of a grantee’s success.
• Serve as the main contact for grants management and monitor investment requirements and outstanding payments to ensure items are received in a timely manner.

• Conduct rigorous financial and organizational analyses, grantee performance assessments, and progress reviews that are used to assess grantee success.
• Participate in grantee business planning, and in designing and coordinating logistics of grantee meetings, strategy sessions and performance reviews.
• Analyze grantee financial and programmatic reports and prepare them for presentation to others.
• Assist with the crafting and negotiating of performance milestones with grantees;  ensure their goals are aligned with the Foundation’s investment and chart a roadmap for success.

• Prepare written materials, including co-investor, management, Foundation board reports and investment recommendations, etc.
• Perform due diligence on prospective grantees as needed, including project managing on-site interviews, compiling and analyzing data, and producing reports.
• Support the Director and other portfolio team members as needed in various grantee matters.
• Manage or support ad-hoc projects.

Portfolio Operations (30%)

• In coordination with the Director of Operations, provide process, logistical and other project support, as needed, for maintaining and executing the YDF annual operating plan’s yearly priorities and deliverables.
• Provide project support, as needed, to portfolio managers during due diligence and in helping develop investment recommendations.

• Prepare meeting materials and agendas, research and make recommendations for and execute learning activities that enhance the Portfolio team’s knowledge and as-needed support of departmental communications flow.
• Participate in and provide support for quarterly and annual grantee reporting processes and co-investor meetings. 

Other (10%)

• Perform other reasonable responsibilities and duties consistent with the achievement of Foundation goals.

Qualifications

Portfolio Associates must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to represent the Foundation externally in alignment with its core values and culture. They should be passionately driven by issues affecting young people and social justice, and have the capacity to work with diverse peers, trustees, consultants, advisers, grantees and communities.  They must also have/be:

• An Undergraduate degree with 3 to 5 years of professional experience in finance, management consulting, or a related field in the private or public sector.  Non-profit and/or youth development experience is a plus.
• Superior quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, with experience and demonstrated ability to conduct and synthesize timely, thorough and objective analyses of organizations in areas such as leadership, finances, programs, and operations. Must be comfortable with analyzing disparate and even contradictory information.
• Experience managing and organizing projects and priorities, often through time sensitive and at times short deadlines while maintaining a strong attention to detail, a positive attitude and producing effective, professional and timely results.  Result-oriented with a track record of charting a clear course of action that requires both multi-disciplinary and complex team delivery with the measurement of results against goals.
• A strategic and highly rigorous professional approach, balanced by a flexible and empathetic demeanor that is responsive to the needs of grantees, teammates and others.  Able to develop strong grantee relationships, while remaining objective and committed to meeting established goals.  Able to think independently while carefully considering and engaging others’ points of view.
• Sound judgment and the ability to use discretion, seek input and feedback, listen well and make sometimes difficult decisions independently while understanding the need for collaboration and leadership’s endorsement of final results. Able to contribute to the work as a leader or participant.
• Strong oral and written communications skills, including the ability to speak up and present in group settings that may include senior executives and grantees.
• Strong computer skills with extensive knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and the ability to master new software quickly; experience with Microsoft Dynamics CRM and SharePoint is a plus.
• A professional yet genial demeanor required.
• Able to travel approximately 15% of work time.

Salary & Benefits

Base salary is expected to fall between the low to high 60’s, comensureate with candidate experience and skill. Total compensation includes a base salary, the potential for an annual incentive award and an exceptional benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, 403b retirement plan with employer contributions and generous time off. 

Application Procedure

For consideration, applicants must include:

• resumes
• cover letters and
• salary requirements

sent to [email protected] , being sure to include “Portfolio Associate YDF” in the subject line. 

No phone calls or in-person applications, please.

The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation is an equal opportunity employer