Program Assistant

The New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) seeks a program assistant to directly support our Primary Care and Veterans’ Health program teams. In this role, the candidate will join a dedicated staff in a collegial atmosphere and work with grantees and partners to advance and strengthen New York State’s health systems.

NYHealth Background:

NYHealth is a private and independent foundation dedicated to improving the health of all New Yorkers, especially people of color and others who have been historically marginalized. NYHealth began operations in 2006, and today the organization has more than $400 million in assets and a $17 million annual grants and operating budget.

NYHealth is committed to making a meaningful difference that extends beyond grantmaking by informing health care policy and practice, promoting the adoption of effective programs to improve the health care system, convening health leaders across New York State, and providing technical assistance to grantees and partners. Today, the Foundation concentrates its initiatives in four areas: Primary Care; Healthy Food, Healthy Lives; Veterans’ Health, and responsive grantmaking through a Special Projects Fund.

NYHealth’s Primary Care priority area has three core strategies: (1) expanding primary care access, (2) advancing racial health equity through primary care, and (3) strengthening the community health worker and medical assistant workforces.

NYHealth’s Veterans’ Health priority area works to ensure that the health challenges facing veterans and their families—including mental health needs and suicide risk—are recognized and addressed as public and community health priorities focusing on: expanding access to high-quality, culturally competent services; preventing veteran suicide; and strengthening community-based supports for veterans and their families. We advance these goals through grantmaking, research, advocacy, and collaboration, with particular attention to the needs of post-9/11 and minority veterans.

Position Overview:

The program assistant provides administrative and operational support to the Foundation’s Primary Care and Veterans’ Health initiatives. As an integral member of both teams, the program assistant divides their time between these two areas, working closely with three program officers and the vice president of programs. The role also serves as a key liaison to colleagues across the organization, including staff in communications, policy and research, and grants management.

The position offers an excellent opportunity to learn about New York’s health care and public health systems and about the role philanthropy plays across sectors. As part of the Foundation’s activist philanthropy model, the program assistant will have the opportunity to help organize and facilitate convenings and contribute to external publications. NYHealth is committed to mentoring and providing learning opportunities for staff.

Reports to: Senior Program Officer, Primary Care

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with program officers to implement all stages of funding opportunities, including development, application review, recommendations, response to inquiries, and communication with applicants.
• Support project management for grants in the two portfolios, including preparing program officers for and participating in regular meetings with grantees, processing administrative changes, connecting grantees with internal and external support, communicating with grantees about general questions and updates, and reviewing grantee reports.
• Perform administrative duties, such as scheduling and planning internal and external meetings, preparing meeting materials, and handling grant inquiries.
• Maintain organized program files and tracking systems, shared files, and grantee materials.
• Coordinate with the Grants Management team to develop and coordinate funding opportunity work plans, maintain up-to-date grantee records, and facilitate related communication with grantees.
• Work with the Communications team to draft NYHealth website content and other public-facing material including grant summaries and outcome reports to highlight and amplify grantee projects and activities.
• Assist with literature reviews, landscape scans, and background research on priority policy and public health topics.
• Support the preparation of stakeholder convenings, oral presentations, policy reports, and other publications.
• Contribute to NYHealth’s strategic planning and advocacy activities.
• Attend local, regional, or national conferences and other relevant events to document key takeaways and support follow-up activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including periodic special projects for the vice president of programs and other program team members.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree and 1–2 years of work experience at a nonprofit or health and human services organization is preferred. Candidates with equivalent experience will be considered. Academic and/or work experience should demonstrate program/project coordination skills. Coursework in public health, health policy, public policy, public affairs, public administration, or social work is a plus.

Other qualifications include:

• Excellent project management, time management, and organizational skills.
• Proactive problem-solving ability with strong attention to detail and follow-through;
• Strong writing and communication skills;
• Strong analytical skills, including clear judgment and creative thinking;
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills: collegial, energetic, adaptable, motivated, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, grantees, consultants, and other stakeholders;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, with a demonstrated capacity to engage effectively across diverse cultures; and
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook) and the ability to learn new software tools.

Application Process:

Send résumé and cover letter to HR@nyhealthfoundation.org and include “Program Assistant” in the subject line. The cover letter should describe your skill set and experience relevant to the above qualifications.

NYHealth offers a generous package of benefits, including employer-paid health insurance; dental, vision, and life insurance; employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement account; professional development and tuition assistance; flexible spending account (FSA); and wellness and commuting benefits, among others.

The salary range for this position is $55,000–$65,000 depending on experience and qualifications. This position is hybrid remote/in-person at the Foundation’s New York City office, currently with two days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) expected in the office. The deadline for applications is November 10, 2026.

The New York Health Foundation welcomes applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, and values having a diverse staff. Individuals from historically marginalized populations are encouraged to apply. Employment opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

NYHealth offers a generous package of benefits, including employer-paid health insurance; dental, vision, and life insurance; employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement account; professional development and tuition assistance; flexible spending account (FSA); and wellness and commuting benefits, among others.