About the Packard Foundation

We are a family foundation, guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Lucile and David Packard, who helped found one of the world’s leading technology companies. We invest in effective organizations and leaders, collaborate with them to identify strategic solutions, and support them over time to reach common goals. We work on the issues our Founders cared about most: improving the lives of children, enabling the creative pursuit of science, advancing reproductive health, and conserving and restoring the Earth’s natural systems. We aim to create a workplace culture and pursue policies and practices that demonstrate how we value diversity, equity, and inclusion.

About Organizational Effectiveness (OE)

OE aims to increase the effectiveness of grantee leaders, organizations, and networks, enhancing their capacity to achieve their mission. One core belief has driven Organizational Effectiveness since the program began in 1983: Organizations are more effective when they are equipped with thoughtful strategy, strong leadership, and sound operations.

OE funding helps leaders, organizations, and networks strengthen their fundamentals, so they can focus on achieving their missions. OE invests in current Foundation grantees to grow in areas like strategic and business planning, financial management, board and staff leadership, communications, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. OE also makes grants to strengthen these capacities among groups of leaders and cohorts of organizations, so that nonprofit leaders can share knowledge, learn from their peers, and grow their networks. OE works in close partnership with the Packard Foundation’s program areas in Children, Families, and Communities, Population and Reproductive Health, and Conservation and Science.

This position is an opportunity to learn about how capacity strengthening in the nonprofit sector can increase impact. You will work with a team committed to supporting leaders and organizations who are working around the world to improve the lives of children, families, and communities – and to restore and protect our planet. The team works collaboratively with each other, Foundation program teams, and other partners. The Program Associate will report to the Program Operations Manager, Organizational Effectiveness.

To learn more about OE, please visit the OE webpage and the OE Knowledge Center.

Responsibilities

• Process grants from initial inquiry to award, including creating, organizing, maintaining, and updating electronic grant files
• Communicate via email, telephone, and in-person with grantees and other partners
• Update and track status of grants and assist in grant budget planning using an excel-based spreadsheet
• Run reports on grant-related data using web-based systems
• Track grantee reporting deadlines and review reports
• Anticipate and schedule meetings and ensure materials are available prior to meetings
• Suggest and implement improvements to department processes and increase efficiencies
• Represent the OE team and the Foundation in a positive way in all interactions
• Handle special projects as assigned

Skills and Requirements

• A passion for helping to support and develop outstanding nonprofit leaders, organizations, and networks
• Excellent judgment and attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Ability to manage time efficiently and meet deadlines, handle and prioritize multiple tasks, and remain calm and constructive under pressure
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate information needed as work develops
• Demonstrated ability to work with others in a professional, courteous, culturally sensitive, and tactful manner
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and the nonprofit sector
• Past experience with nonprofit organizations is a plus

Education and Experience

Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant administrative support work experience with a BA degree or a combination of postsecondary education and work experience.

Benefits and Compensation

The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with related work experience. This position is located in downtown Los Altos, CA. Commuter benefits such as a Caltrain pass are available.

Physical Requirements

Candidate must have the ability to communicate via voice telephone, read and understand written communication, and generate written communication manually and using a computer. Candidate must also be able to work at a desk for long periods of time (2-3 hours), lift and move documents and supplies (not to exceed 20 lbs.), and bend to file or retrieve documents.

To Apply

Please send an email referring to job number 18-15-3930 in the subject line with a resume and a targeted one- page cover letter explaining your interest in this position and how your skills and work experience fit the role
to [email protected].

  No phone inquiries, please.

 The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse candidate pool.

The Foundation uses an outside firm to check the accuracy of information supplied by applicants.

 Principal applicants only.