Program Officer, Workforce Investments

The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ) is a nonprofit community development financing entity with over $80 million in assets. We provide flexible capital to strengthen under-resourced communities in Upper Manhattan, and beyond, facilitating increased job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance. Through the facilitation of economic development, we have invested more than $250 million in real estate projects, leveraging over $1.5 billion in private capital invested into the neighborhoods that we serve. This commitment has created nearly 12,000 direct jobs thus far.

Our strategic grantmaking is embedded in our broader economic community development and has resulted in far-reaching impacts in the neighborhoods of Central, East, West Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood. The recent adoption of our new strategic plan guided by our values, and the alignment of our grantmaking with our community lending practices and long-term goals, strengthened our dedication to responding to the critical needs of our Upper Manhattan community.

To this end, core to UMEZ’s mission are our fundamental investments in two strategic program areas, workforce development and arts & culture. Our workforce opportunity investments play a catalytic role in strengthening the workforce development ecosystem in Upper Manhattan, while facilitating economic mobility strategies designed to support residents’ access to training and employment pathways. Through our cultural investments, we support cultural organizations and artist-driven projects to help grow the local economy and foster the unique identities of communities across Upper Manhattan.

Across all our grantmaking, we design and fund hyperlocal initiatives and engagements that are focused on strengthening the capacity and stability of nonprofit organizations that contribute to the economic vitality of our community and align with our programs.

Job Title: Program Officer, Workforce Opportunity Investments

Reports to: Senior Vice President & Chief Program Officer

Summary: To enhance measurable community impact and fortify our commitment to designing effective programs to strengthen the local workforce system, UMEZ seeks a collaborative, strategic, and team-oriented Program Officer to join our Program and Grantmaking Investments team. Supporting the SVP & Chief Program Officer, the Program Officer will work as part of a team to manage current programs and develop a grant portfolio of workforce opportunity investments that are aligned with UMEZ’s goals and strategic priorities. The incumbent will engage in grantmaking that will focus primarily on advancing UMEZ’s portfolio of workforce opportunity investments, while also being involved in other program-related grants and activities.

The Program Officer will contribute to the design and implementation of locally tailored place-based interventions within UMEZ’s portfolio of workforce opportunity investments, working with community partners, training providers, business leaders, industry stakeholders, among others, to strengthen systems and increase workforce opportunities for local residents through three strategic funding pillars: Sector-based Strategies, Capacity-building, and Economic Development and Workforce Development Alignment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Include the following and other duties as may be assigned

ESSENTIAL

FUNCTIONS

• Collaborate with SVP & CPO and program staff to contribute to the design and implementation of annual departmental program goals and strategies that align with UMEZ’s strategic priorities
• Support the SVP & CPO with the development of strategic grantmaking opportunities within high-priority workforce development funding pillars
• Assist with the management of a portfolio of workforce development initiatives from initial inquiry to conclusion of the grant
• Serve as liaison with grantees to help strategize, maximize impact, and serve as a resource and thought partner
• Examine proposals to ensure alignment with UMEZ’s core funding objectives
• Conduct research and keep informed about relevant community and policy positions impacting workforce development to cultivate and inform program development and grantmaking
• Perform labor market research and incorporate findings in workforce development strategic plans
• Conduct due diligence review and assess prospective grantees’ capacity for and commitment to develop and implement sector employment programs
• Prepare investment memoranda, presentation decks, financial presentations, meeting agendas, and other related documents in preparation for Committee and Board meetings
• Prepare written assessments, develop and implement project plans, performance assessment of grants, and impact measurement evaluation criteria
• Develop grant scope, project milestones, performance measures, and KPI’s
• Assist in developing reporting criteria, report templates, policies, and protocols for grantees to ensure transparency in the achievement of workforce development goals
• Assist in the development of recruitment and fulfillment strategies for UMEZ business clients/anchor projects that are responsive to employer needs
• Assist with the coordination of recruitment events for UMEZ business clients/anchor projects by leveraging community resources
• Plan and work cooperatively with partners engaged in workforce development
• Collaborate with program staff and across the organization to streamline grantmaking processes

BACKGROUND

AND EXPERIENCE

• Five years prior experience in workforce development required. Brings experience in economic/community development or workforce development policy
• Experience managing grants and/or foundation and grantmaking experience in the field of workforce development, or related experience is highly desirable
• Strong data collection and analytical skills to improve practice and results to drive impact
• Strong knowledge of labor market information and local workforce and economic development resources
• Demonstrated experience designing, managing, or implementing a workforce development initiative
• Strong understanding of sectoral approaches
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies governing workforce development and the local workforce development system
• Significant experience working with industry and employers
• Strong knowledge of workforce development trends and economic mobility strategies
• Demonstrated program development and analytical skills
• Strong research and analytical skills, and experience analyzing financial statements
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills(oral and written)
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 (MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and familiarity with grant management systems
• Community residence and/or familiarity with Upper Manhattan community desired

PERSONAL

CHARACTERISTICS

• An energetic, innovative, and resourceful person with a strong interest in social and economic issues impacting communities;
• A self-starter; a team player; a strategic thinker; a creative problem solver with the willingness to collaborate and work across programs.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• English; Spanish language would be an advantage but is not a requirement

EDUCATION

• Undergraduate degree required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

SALARY

• $103,000 Annually with medical, dental, vision benefits