Job Opportunities API

Reporting Structure: The Senior Program Officer reports to the Vice President of Strategy and Impact at the Women’s Foundation of Alabama. The position is based in Birmingham, AL. Position Summary: Women's Foundation of Alabama (WFA) envisions a society where power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, or place. As Alabama's only statewide public women's foundation, we move critical resources into community initiatives through a gender-equity lens, conduct and communicate gender-focused research, and shape public policy to transform the systems that impact women's lives. WFA's Strategy and Impact team is doing some of the most exciting work in the state right now. From community college campuses to a growing network of childcare providers, we are funding programs and building strategic initiatives that directly change outcomes for women and families across Alabama. WFA seeks a highly capable Senior Program Officer to help lead that work by managing a robust portfolio as the senior programmatic seat on a high-performing and fast-paced team. The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for leading programmatic efforts that align with WFA’s strategic priorities, ensuring resources are directed toward solutions that advance economic mobility, leadership, and well-being for women. This role requires an experienced professional with a deep understanding of gender and racial equity frameworks, a keen ability to navigate complex funding landscapes, and a track record of managing high-impact grant or program portfolios. Reporting to the VP of Strategy and Impact, the individual in this role will excel in relationship management, strategic thinking, and program execution, serving as a bridge between grantees, community partners, and internal leadership. This position requires a dynamic professional who can balance long-term vision with immediate priorities, ensuring seamless coordination between philanthropic investments, research insights, and policy initiatives. This is a role for an experienced social sector professional ready to make real, visible impact. We are seeking someone who can hold multiple, concurrent initiatives at once while operating with excellence and enthusiasm for advancing women’s economic opportunity. Primary Responsibilities: Grantmaking & Grant Cycle Leadership (25%) • Lead the implementation of WFA’s grantmaking strategy, partnering with the VP and Grants Committee to ensure investments align with the organization’s strategic priorities. • Manage a high-impact portfolio of grants, overseeing the full lifecycle from proposal evaluation to reporting and impact assessment. • Ensure grantees receive the capacity-building support and technical assistance needed to maximize their impact. Strategic Initiative Leadership & Execution (30%) • Co-design strategic direction with the VP of Strategy and Impact and lead execution across WFA's strategic initiative portfolio, presently the Community College Portfolio and the Child Care Accelerator. Major activity includes grantmaking, partner relationship management, initiative-specific convenings, and evaluation. • Lead or direct major strategic projects as assigned, including developing project vision, milestones, and staffing plans in collaboration with the VP. Stakeholder & Partnership Management (25%) • Cultivate and maintain relationships with grantees, community organizations, and cross-sector partners statewide, coordinating with the VP of Strategy and Impact on funder-level relationships. • Represent WFA at convenings, panels, and meetings; serve as a primary program contact for partners in the field. • Translate what's emerging in the field from grantees, partners, and community stakeholders into recommendations for the VP and executive leadership on new initiatives and strategic direction. • Participate in or lead steering committees and learning communities relevant to WFA's initiative areas. • As needed, the Senior Program Officer may engage with policymakers and advocacy coalitions on program-level issues, translating field insight into policy recommendations for the VP and executive leadership to carry forward at the enterprise level. Team Leadership & Strategic Partnership (20%) • Serve as a key thought partner to the VP of Strategy and Impact on the evolution of WFA's philanthropic strategy, and a leader on the Strategy and Impact team. • Direct the work of any part-time coordinator support and provide guidance to the Program Associate on portfolio-related work. • Write reports, grant proposals, and presentation materials for internal and external audiences. • Manage expense tracking and budget reporting for assigned initiatives through WFA's current process; contribute to departmental budget planning. • Partner internally to reconcile expenses, interpret funder reporting requirements, and track and share financial and impact documentation. Qualifications • Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Women's Foundation of Alabama. • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred. • 7+ years of experience in philanthropy, nonprofit program leadership, or a related field, including experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. • Demonstrated experience directing a grantmaking process, or equivalent, end to end. • Deep understanding of gender, racial, and economic equity frameworks. • Exceptional relationship management, facilitation, and written and verbal communication skills. • Comfort working with detailed financial and budget data. • Strong team player who contributes to a collaborative, high-performing culture. • Self-starter; takes initiative and follows through with minimal oversight. • Confident collaborator who leads without needing to control every piece of the work.