Program Associate, Economic Development and Arts & Culture

The Boston Foundation believes that one of the great strengths of the Greater Boston community is the rich diversity of its residents in race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age and physical abilities. The Foundation seeks to enhance and support that diversity, not only by its grant making, but also by adopting and implementing employment policies and practices designed to recognize and respond to such diversity.

The Boston Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience.

All applications should be submitted online. Go to https://www.tbf.org/who-we-are/careers and select “Program Associate, Economic Development and Arts & Culture” to complete our online application process.

Job Description

Title: Program Associate, Economic Development and Arts & Culture

Department: Program

Reports To: Assistant Director, Economic Development

FLSA Classification:   Exempt  FTE: 1

Supervises: None

Position Summary:

The Program Associate splits working with the Assistant Director of Economic Development and the Arts & Culture team to advance the Foundation’s Economic Development grant-making and change-making activities, strategies, and initiatives, as well as, provide administrative support to the Arts & Culture Impact Area. As a key partner to both impact areas, this position requires a creative, thoughtful, resourceful and entrepreneurial individual who has knowledge of and a passion for Economic Development as well as an interest in supporting a robust, arts-focused body of work. The Program Associate will support grantmaking, research, convenings, events, coordination and handle a high volume of other administrative responsibilities.

Essential Functions:

• Economic Development Impact Area
• Support Assistant Director in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and investments of the Economic Development Impact Area to ensure success and community impact;
• Develop/maintain familiarity with and stay up to date with activities in the Economic Development field;
• Assist the Assistant Director in tracking and reporting on foundation grantmaking activities, including special initiatives and funder collaborations.
• Conduct basic research for strategy papers and memos and assist Assistant Director in preparing strategy documents for board meetings and other convenings;
• Under guidance of the Assistant Director, track and maintain program area impact and goals; and
• Serve as key liaison to internal and external partners in planning and implementing events and initiatives; Coordinate, in conjunction with other colleagues, all aspects of meetings, convenings, and other events (including coordinating attendee schedules, invitations, meeting preparation, note taking, set-up and clean-up);
• Economic Development and Arts & Culture Areas
• Prepare various written materials for both Impact Areas on a timely basis, including due diligence of grant proposals, draft correspondence, meeting minutes, and strategy updates, reports and other related materials;
• Manage a high volume of contract and invoice processing for the Economic Development and Arts & Culture teams; and perform other administrative tasks as required including, but not limited to calendar management and expense reporting;
• Undertake special projects in collaboration with other departments as required, such as conference/meeting support and coordination; and
• Participate in various other Program Department activities as needed.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Individuals assigned to this position may perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Preparation, Knowledge, Previous Experience:

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience required;
• 3-5 years professional work experience in a related field preferred;
• A minimum of two years’ work experience in an administrative position post-graduation, OR 3-5 years professional administrative work experience (if no degree); and
• Professional work experience in Economic Development or a related field is strongly preferred.

Skills, Abilities, Competencies:

• Knowledge of Economic Development Program area non-profits is strongly preferred;
• Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous projects; organize and coordinate projects with multiple components;
• Coordinate teamwork and work as part of a team;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Demonstrated skills in planning, organizing and implementing complex activities;
• Computer skills utilizing Microsoft Office products. Skill with Outlook, Excel and Power Point required;
• Understanding of and commitment to the Foundation’s mission;
• A creative thinker with strong problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work under the pressure of tight deadlines; 
• A participative work style and the ability to receive feedback;
• Resourceful and able to work independently; and
• Mature interpersonal style, ability to interact well with a diverse range of people.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Ability to work at workstation for long periods of time;
• Ability to use a computer keyboard for extended periods of time; and
• Ability to work on-site and remotely, as required.

The content is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents, who are or become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act or applicable state law, must be able to perform the essential functions of the job (including those listed above) either with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation, if any, will be determined by management in consultation with the employee on a case-by-case basis.

This job description is intended to be general and may be revised from time to time. At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different or additional duties from time to time.