Program Officer: Organizational Effectiveness The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Search conducted by: Location: Los Altos, CA waldronhr.com
The Organization The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (the Foundation) is 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. Their approach to business and community participation has guided the Foundation s philanthropy for more than 50 years. Today, their children and grandchildren continue to help guide the work of the Foundation with David and Lucile Packard s enduring core values: integrity, respect for all people, belief in individual leadership, commitment to effectiveness, and the capacity to think big. The Foundation makes grants at the local, state, national, and international level, supporting innovative nonprofits to create meaningful impact across the globe. It continues to work on the issues its founders cared about most: Improving the lives of children Enabling the creative pursuit of science Advancing reproductive health Conserving and restoring the earth s natural systems Supporting and strengthening an array of local nonprofit organizations For 2016, the Foundation expects to make grantmaking awards of approximately $300M. A staff of 120 conducts the Foundation s day-to-day operations and a Board of Trustees oversees its work. For more information about the Foundation, go to www.packard.org.
The Opportunity The Packard Foundation s Organizational Effectiveness team seeks an experienced Program Officer to make grants, further strategy, advance the field of nonprofit leadership, and bring organizational and network effectiveness. The Program Officer will also support the Packard Foundation s Board-directed Special Opportunities Fund, making grants in a wide variety of subject areas and geographies. Organizational Effectiveness David Packard founded the Management Assistance program in 1983, recognizing that organizations are more effective in achieving their missions when they are equipped with thoughtful strategy, strong leadership, and sound operations. The Organizational Effectiveness (OE) grantmaking team carries on this work by making investments in Packard Foundation grantees to help build their core strengths and maximize their impact. The goal the Foundation seeks is healthier and better connected leaders, organizations, networks, and systems ready to bring about greater change on the issues the Foundation cares most about. The OE team has two primary strategies: Make grants to key grantees of the Foundation to build their core strengths in areas such as strategic and business planning, financial management and resilience, board and executive leadership, and communications capacity. Make grants to build capacities among groups of leaders and cohorts of grantees so that nonprofit leaders can share knowledge, learn from their peers, and grow their networks. In addition, the OE team also: Provides training and mentorship to Packard Foundation staff on organizational effectiveness and capacity building at the leader, organization, network, and system levels. Works to grow the Foundation s role as a leader among capacity-building funders to increase investment in the field. The Organizational Effectiveness team works with current grantees across all of the Foundation s major program areas, making approximately 100 grants per year and investing a total of $4M annually. Special Opportunities Fund Established as the Chairman s Fund during David Packard s lifetime, the Special Opportunities Fund traditionally supported projects and activities he found to be of special interest and merit. Today, the Special Opportunities Fund (approximately $7.5M per year) continues to enable the Foundation s Trustees to identify and act on opportunities of special interest that are not within the Foundation s current guidelines and giving areas.
The Program Officer Role & Key Responsibilities The Foundation seeks a Program Officer who cares deeply about supporting the organizational effectiveness of nonprofits so they can deliver on their missions. The Foundation seeks candidates with an unwavering commitment to the Foundation s values of integrity; respect for all people, belief in individual leadership, commitment to effectiveness, and the capacity to think big. Candidates need to bring a strong desire to work with, support, and serve program staff and grantees on the full range of issues that the Packard Foundation supports. The Foundation seeks candidates who will stretch the organization s thinking about the impact on nonprofits that trends in organizational design and structure, networks, information sharing, and the blending of sectors will bring. Experience will highlight: A demonstrated understanding of leaders, organizations, and networks (both in theory and practice) A strong track record of success consulting with philanthropic entities or nonprofits about leadership development, organizational development, and capacity building A broad and diverse network of colleagues, particularly among organizational development consultants An understanding of field-wide trends in the growing racial and ethnic diversity of nonprofit organizations, as well as the importance of technology related to organizational development that will impact the nonprofit sector in the coming years Skills required for success include: Analytical strength and creative problem-solving ability Exceptional cultural competence and sensitivity; ability to communicate across cultures Effective and active listener Superb written communications Proven interpersonal and communication effectiveness; a strong presenter Well developed diagnostic and planning ability, including experience assessing organizational strengths and challenges Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects to completion Highly organized and administratively self-sufficient
The Program Officer Role & Key Responsibilities (continued) Personal attributes that will set candidates apart include: Broad intellectual interests and curiosity Thoughtful approach to work and people Flexibility Humility and lack of ego Confident yet non-directive style Self awareness not self importance High emotional intelligence Sound judgment Service mentality Optimistic nature A coach and collaborator The Program Officer will be able to develop positive, effective relationships and credibility within the program teams, becoming a trusted, knowledgeable thought partner on issues of organizational effectiveness and capacity building. Excellent organizational skills are a must in order to juggle the high volume of grants from both assigned program areas. S/he must be entrepreneurial by nature in order to bring creative approaches to the work environment. The PO must feel comfortable working closely with the Trustees and guiding them through the grantmaking process with exceptional quality as well as being flexible to their needs. The ideal candidate must thrive with a close knit team and bring positive energy and their best effort, with no personal agenda, to work every day. Exceptionally strong communications skills are critical. Ideal candidates gain energy and a sense of accomplishment working behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight.
Minimum Qualifications Candidates must have a minimum of ten years experience in the nonprofit organizational development field, as a service provider, a philanthropic advisor or practitioner, and/or as a local nonprofit leader who has managed foundation grants. They should demonstrate deep experience working within or consulting to nonprofits in the local area. While the role is programmatically agnostic, experience in the focus areas of early education, health policy, childhood nutrition, the arts, food and shelter, environmental education, or reproductive health is an asset. Preferred candidates have advanced degree in organizational development, social sciences, or a related field, along with fluency in Spanish. Familiarity with the Bay Area nonprofit landscape is also a plus. To Be Considered The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please visit candidateportal.waldronhr.com to submit your resume and a cover letter expressing your passion for the mission and fit for the role. A team from Waldron is assisting the search for a Program Officer for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation: Melissa Merritt Vice President, Executive Search 206.792.4300 direct melissa@waldronhr.com Mary Pelleriti Engagement Manager 415.529.2057 direct mary@waldronhr.com Heather Mohler Senior Associate 206.792.4311 direct heatherm@waldronhr.com
Waldron is honored to work with the David and Lucile Packard Foundation in the search for a Program Officer: Organizational Effectiveness. We believe in and support the work of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and we are doing our best to recruit a talented team leader who will accelerate this mission. As the consulting partner strategic leaders choose to help attract, engage, and inspire effective leaders, Waldron provides a unique combination of executive search, leadership development, and career transition services across sectors and industries. Our passion is helping people and organizations realize their full potential and increase their impact. Seattle Portland San Francisco waldronhr.com