About GEO

The GEO community makes the difference between grantmaking as usual and transformational change. We’re more than 6,600 grantmakers working together to turn a hunger for more effective philanthropy into clear pathways for achieving it. We’re cutting through the noise to lift up the practices that matter most to nonprofits.

The GEO community gives grantmakers the opportunity to work with others navigating the same journey to improve. With conferences focused on solving of-the-moment challenges, regular opportunities for peer learning, and publications that lift up best practice and examples from peers, GEO speeds grantmakers’ progress on the road to effectiveness. Four out of five GEO members outpace the field in adopting smarter grantmaking practices. To learn more about how GEO is making faster progress possible, visit www.geofunders.org.

Position Description

The Program Specialist works as part of the program team to develop and deliver impactful GEO conferences, peer learning and other programming. The program specialist is a strong project manager who has a knack for keeping track of details and loose ends, can toggle easily back and forth between multiple projects involving multiple people, likes to keep up with what is happening in the nonprofit/philanthropic field, draws inspiration from connecting with people and is always on the lookout for opportunities to make connections to GEO’s work. They are committed to providing excellent customer service, both to external stakeholders as well as other GEO staff. The Program Specialist reports to the Director of Programs and is part of both the conference and peer learning subteams. This position involves about 10% travel.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply on our jobs page at https://www.geofunders.org/about-us/jobs, a resume and cover letter must be included with your application. We will not consider applications without a cover letter. In your cover letter, please address the following:

• Why are you a good fit for this position?
• Tell us about your project management experience, especially as it relates to developing inclusive processes and shaping content and/or programming.
• What appeals to you about working at GEO?

We will accept applications until the position is filled.

Note:  Our team has gone full-time remote in light of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. For the time being, we will be conducting the hiring process virtually.

If you were working with us, here are some of the things you would have done last week:

• Held a call with conference session designers to answer questions about feedback given by a member planning committee
• Facilitated a planning call with speakers for an upcoming plenary conference session
• Created content for upcoming virtual peer learning webinar.
• Developed an outline for a programming experiment at an upcoming conference to discuss with director of programs
• Updated contact information in Salesforce for members who attended last week’s webinar in the 2020 virtual conference series
• Attended meeting with one of GEO’s Peer Cohort group to develop and implement work plans
• Reviewed content for a capacity building webinar to plan to deliver a similar webinar to members at a peer organization
• Contributed to work and/or working groups that are helping to advance GEO’s organizational culture and work on racial equity
• Researched potential professional development opportunities for yourself in preparation for a goals conversation with your supervisor

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience

• Proven project management experience, including attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and on deadline
• Demonstrated experience developing programs
• Skilled facilitator who brings their creativity, personal energy and enthusiasm into coordinating work with others to create shared ownership and progress
• Experience centering racial equity in projects and processes
• Able to work collaboratively on a team
• Knowledge of philanthropy and nonprofits
• Commitment to and experience working in the nonprofit sector

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in philanthropy or the nonprofit sector
• Demonstrated understanding of program development and session design
• Experience working with organizational members or stakeholders to develop content and programming
• Experience creating programs with a racial equity lens, focused on diversity, equity and inclusion

Salary and Benefits

GEO offers a competitive salary (50k to 60k’s) and a generous benefits package, including 100 percent employer paid health insurance, three weeks of vacation, twelve sick days, a 7 percent employer retirement contribution, a commitment to professional development and growth, along with a Metro accessible location in downtown D.C.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations is an equal opportunity employer. GEO is committed to equal employment opportunities in recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, compensation and disciplinary action with regard to the terms and conditions of employment. GEO does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, age, sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation or any other legally protected characteristic.