Program Officer – Performing Arts

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Program Officer for the Performing Arts at the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation (PMAFF) will play a critical role in managing and evaluating grants within the Foundation's Performing Arts portfolio, with a specific focus on music applicants in Chicago, the Greater Midwest, and the Mid-Atlantic region. Based in Chicago, this position is part of a team of three Performing Arts program staff and works closely with the Director of Performing Arts. Key responsibilities include managing a portfolio of grants, conducting site visits, and building authentic relationships with key stakeholders in the sector.

The role involves communicating with grantee partners to support their goals, researching funding trends, and participating in both internal and external partnerships and collaboratives. As part of the Performing Arts Team, the Program Officer will collaborate in shaping the portfolio's strategic direction, including expanding its music grantmaking to other genres. This is a dynamic and relational position that requires a passion for the arts, strategic thinking, and a commitment to fostering equitable, human-centered, impactful grantmaking practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants Management

• Manage a portfolio of grants.
• Evaluate applications for funding.
• Conduct site visits; meet with current and prospective applicants.
• Provide the board with thoughtful, well-reasoned funding recommendations and compelling, well-written documents.
• Communicate with and provide support to grantee partners to meet their goals and objectives.
• Research key issue areas; review the grant making strategies of other funders.

Relationship Building and External Relations

• Respond promptly and respectfully to inquiries from grantee partners and applicants.
• Learn from and develop relationships with leaders in the sector, grantee partners, and other grantmakers.
• Represent the Foundation in funder collaboratives and at conferences, seminars, and official forums
• Convene meetings with grantee partners.
• Participate in educational opportunities, professional networks, and conferences.

Equity, Inclusion, and Strategy

• Ensure equity and inclusion principles are embedded in external and internal work and interactions
• Partner with the Director of Performing Arts and staff to develop the strategic direction and growth of the Performing Arts portfolio.
• Participate in the change management of the organization.
• Participate in cross-functional working groups, learning and development goals, including those related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and advancing an anti-racist organizational culture and practices.

Program Administration

• Work with the Grants Manager to ensure that grants data is accurate, complete, and meets compliance standards
• Assist with database management, where appropriate.
• Evaluate and report on the impact of funding to inform future strategies.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different than what is outlined in this opportunity profile, but if you share the Foundation’s values and bring unique skills, we encourage you to apply!

• BA in Music, Music Education, or relevant experience
• Five years’ involvement in music or performing arts in any capacity
• Seven years of experience working in nonprofit or social sector; experience with foundations not required but a plus
• Excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills required
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office platforms (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); familiarity with or willingness to learn grantmaking software is required.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Expertise in the performing arts and music specifically
• Operates with a deep understanding of equity and values diversity in all aspects of the work.
• Skilled in building and maintaining authentic relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Skilled at self-organizing and working independently in an active, energetic, and growing program
• while also working comfortably with a small team of dedicated staff.
• Demonstrates the values of the Foundation, including Excellence, Respect, Humility, Authenticity, and Collaboration
• Capable of processing complex information and making sound decisions.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and manage change effectively.
• Detail-oriented, with a strong focus on meeting timelines and deadlines.
• Maintains confidentiality in all matters related to the foundation and its stakeholders.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The position is a salaried, exempt, full-time position with a salary range of $100,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on professional and lived experience.

Additionally, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation offers a highly competitive comprehensive benefits package including:

• Healthcare: 100% paid Platinum PPO health insurance premium for employees/80% for dependents or family.
• Dental and Vision: 100% paid premium for employees, dependents, and family.
• 403b retirement savings plan employer contributions match: After three months of employment, the Foundation will contribute up to 9% of the employee’s salary—5% will be an outright contribution, and the Foundation will match up to 4% of the employee’s contribution to the plan.
• In addition to vacation, holidays, wellness, and sick days, the PMAFF offices are closed from December 26th through New Year’s Day annually and employees’ salaries are paid during this closure.
• Twelve weeks of paid parental leave for a birth parent, non-birth parent, or adoption.
• We are committed to supporting your growth through professional development funds tailored to your role and learning needs. We provide opportunities for collaboration, skill-building, and the time and space to grow in your career.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Currently we are a hybrid work environment, including three on-site workdays and the ability to work remotely.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required to attend grantee events and performances and for nonprofit and philanthropic meetings.
• Occasional out-of-town travel is required.
• Must have reliable transportation for work-related duties.
• The Foundation maintains a smoke-free and drug-free work environment in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• While employed in this position, the employee may be required to perform other assignments not listed in this job description.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and use hands to operate equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets. Reasonable accommodation will enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.
• This position is at-will, meaning either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time with written notice. Nothing in this job description is to be construed as creating a contract for employment for a specific duration.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply for the Program Officer – Performing Arts position at the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation (PMAFF), please submit your application via JazzHR: https://paulmangellfamilyfoundation.applytojob.com/apply/l8u7psTEYR/Program-Officer-Performing-Arts

include:

• Resume
• Cover Letter: Highlight your experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities and competencies outlined in the job description.

ABOUT THE PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM

This is an exciting time for the PMAFF’s Performing Arts Program. It currently supports vibrant organizations and programs, new work that expands the canon, organizations rooted in underinvested communities, and arts education, all with a focus on theater and classical music. In 2024, 189 grants were approved providing funding of 16.4 million dollars. The program provides grants to performers, presenters, and educators in its geographic focus areas of metro Chicago, Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, and the Mid- Atlantic region (from Washington, DC to Philadelphia, PA). This year, the Performing Arts Team is engaging in a research and planning process to inform a focused strategy and an expansion of its giving. The new program officer will be part of the team as it envisions the future of this vibrant program and how it can best serve its grantee partners, artists and their communities, and the arts sector while upholding PMAFF’s mission, values, and commitment to equity.

THE ORGANIZATION

The mission of the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation (PMAFF) is to work towards a world of thriving and equitable communities in which the promise and power of the arts flourish and where healthy oceans sustainably support the human and other animal species that depend on them. The Foundation was created in 2011 to honor Paul M. Angell and strives to embody the legacy of his compassion, ingenuity, and industriousness. The foundation currently employs 15 staff members and plans to expand to 25 by the end of 2025. In 2024, we awarded over 350 grants, totaling $54 million. We prioritize growth that is not only sustainable but also centered on fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where all individuals have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

OUR DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY CORE VALUE

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and to compliance with applicable local, state, and federal antidiscrimination laws which prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employees or applicants for employment based on their actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, work authorization status, pregnancy and the potential or intention to become pregnant, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition, status as a victim of domestic, sexual, gender or criminal violence, certain arrest or criminal history records, lack of a permanent mailing address or a mailing address that is a shelter or social services provider, and use of lawful products outside of work during non-working hours. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon these characteristics or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.