Position Description: Senior Program Officer
Type: Exempt, Full-time
Supervisor: Chief Program Officer
Posted: July 20, 2023
Closing Date: When filled

Are you a passionate change-maker who cares deeply about improving health? Do you want to make a tangible difference in the lives of people? Do you want to join a diverse, fun, collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team? Are you ready to tackle the biggest health challenges of our time together with the community? If this sounds like you, please read on and apply for this position.

At the Horizon Foundation, we are leading community change to ensure that all are free from systemic inequities and can live abundant and healthy lives. As the largest independent health foundation in Maryland, we work side-by-side with community to build power, advocate for policy change, and dismantle structural racism to achieve better health for everyone in Howard County and greater Maryland. We do this through innovative initiatives, collaborative partnerships, strategic grantmaking and thoughtful advocacy.

You will be joining an accomplished team with a track-record of success. Together with partners, we’ve made tons of progress. See https://www.thehorizonfoundation.org/catalysts-for-change/. The Foundation is currently in a strategic planning year and we are excited about the new opportunities it will present. Join us and help shape the future.

This position reports to the Chief Program Officer and works closely with other Foundation staff, as well as many other internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to faith communities, youth groups, community-based organizations, and health care providers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead key initiatives of the Foundation including helping to develop strategic direction of work moving forward, engaging communities of color to help them build power, interacting with other foundations/peers in the region/nation doing similar work, overseeing and recruiting consultants, managing related grantmaking, attending community awareness events, conducting training programs and facilitating inclusive community processes.
• Provide creative, innovative and thoughtful leadership in program development, program funding and program execution. Contribute to the design and implementation of existing and new team initiatives. Working closely with the CPO and other program staff, help design the Foundation’s approach to achieving assigned strategic goals and take the lead in implementing program plans to include: (a) recruiting community partners and potential grantees; (b) contracting with vendors; (c) producing work plans, timelines and monitoring budgets; (d) analyzing public policy changes; and (e) developing accountability measures.
• Offer technical assistance to grantees via grantee meetings, site visits and one-on-one consultation.
• Represent the Foundation at local meetings, committees, task forces and events. Mobilize and partner with local organizations critical to solving community health problems, including community health organizations, faith organizations, health care providers, social service agencies, businesses, and other organizations.
• Complete special projects as assigned by the President and CEO or Chief Program Officer.

Our ideal candidate is:

• passionate about the Foundation’s mission of improving community health and wellness with an emphasis on making a difference for people facing the greatest health challenges;
• committed to health equity and centering the work and leadership of communities of color who suffer adverse health outcomes due to racism;
• a strong project manager who can effectively manage time, meet multiple competing deadlines, quickly develop written materials, maintain a positive attitude under pressure and manage budgets;
• willing to experiment, innovate, fail, and learn;
• able to use their facilitation expertise to navigate difficult conversations and promote inclusive methods;
• skilled at analyzing and synthesizing information from many sources;
• strongly interested in public policy, systems change, advocacy and working in a mission-driven environment;
• a people person who is able to develop, maintain and continually expand a network of relationships in the county, particularly among residents of color and lower-income residents;
• someone who cares about the Howard County and broader Maryland community;
• an expert communicator with exceptional writing and oral presentation skills;
• accustomed to working with a broad array of community organizations, particularly organizations representing lower-income residents and communities of color;
• an initiative-taker who knows how to work independently and efficiently;
• a creative and proactive problem solver who can tackle challenges with a positive, can-do attitude;
• comfortable presenting Foundation positions to people who may (not) agree with them;
• willing to work non-traditional hours on occasion (nights and/or weekends); and
• a seasoned professional with 5+ years of relevant public health/social determinants of health experience with at least a bachelor’s degree looking to advance his/her/their career and make a difference. A master’s degree in public health, social work, and experience working in a philanthropic setting a plus.

We would be thrilled if you also have:

• a good sense of humor (i.e., we like to laugh) and a generally positive outlook;
• strong interpersonal skills;
• the ability to work independently and as a team member in a small group, collegial environment where differing viewpoints and give-and-take are expected and encouraged;
• high energy, emotional maturity and creativity; and
• tolerance for occasional ambiguity and unplanned changes in the environment that may shift day-to-day task priorities.

If you have the above skills but bring additional years of experience, we would consider hiring you at the Program Director level. To be considered at this level, you must have:

• at least 10 years of related work experience;
• an employment history reflective of a mid-to-upper level career professional;
• demonstrated content expertise and passion for at least one of the Foundation’s strategic plan priorities; and
• the skills needed to be the Foundation’s team lead on multiple, concurrent strategic priority areas.

Sound like you? Please apply to join our team. Please send a resume and cover letter to apply@thehorizonfoundation.org. No phone calls please.

Compensation and Benefits:
A Senior Program Officer at the Foundation can expect to earn at least $84,000. A program director can expect to earn at least $100,000. Excellent benefits include paid time off (increasing after three years); paid holidays; generous medical insurance including dental and vision insurance and a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA); life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance; and generous 401(k) package. This is a position that is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Hybrid Work Environment: Candidates must be comfortable with a hybrid work environment (i.e., mix of remote work with scheduled in-person office days and in-person community meetings, as needed). Currently, staff are in the Columbia, MD physical office three days a week (Tuesday-Thursday) with two days of remote teleworking. Free parking is provided.

Deadline/Start Date:
The position will remain open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

The Horizon Foundation is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, religion, sexual preference, or national origin. People of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.