Program Officer, Postsecondary - North Chicago

Who We Are:

The Steans Family Foundation (SFF) concentrates its grant making and programs in North Lawndale, a community on Chicago’s west side; North Chicago, a city forty miles north of Chicago; and on aligned policy and ecosystem initiatives. By dedicating time, resources, and skills, the Foundation works in partnership with local residents and institutions to build and enhance both communities. The Foundation’s work supports the idea that effective revitalization can occur within the embedded social and economic networks that create and sustain communities. The Steans Family Foundation also supports policy efforts that bolster the work on the ground, specifically focused: on Education, Economic Opportunity, Housing, and Safety and Community Well-being. 

For more information on the Steans Family Foundation, visit http://www.steansfamilyfoundation.org.

What You'll Do:

The Program Officer, Postsecondary will lead efforts to strengthen college and workforce pathways, ensuring improved access, persistence, and completion for historically under-resourced students from North Chicago. Reporting to the Co-Managing Directors—North Chicago, the Program Officer will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy that advances equitable postsecondary opportunities and success. This role requires both strategic vision and hands-on execution. The Program Officer will partner with high schools, colleges, community-based organizations, and other funders to identify barriers, design interventions, and ensure alignment across initiatives. The Program Officer will manage a grantmaking portfolio, oversee program implementation, monitor outcomes, and use data to drive continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a collaborator who brings deep knowledge of the postsecondary landscape, experience with diverse student populations, and the ability to build strong partnerships across sectors. This person will play a key role in shaping and advancing initiatives that support students to persist and complete a degree or credential and access clear pathways from high school into college or the workforce leading to a meaningful career. 

Primary Responsibilities (the “What”)

The Program Officer,  Postsecondary  will be accountable for the following areas of responsibility: 

Strategic Leadership and Alignment

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to improve college access, persistence, and completion, along with workforce pathways, leading to successful outcomes for North Chicago youth.
• Align postsecondary initiatives with community goals and the Foundation’s mission, strategic plan and theory of change.

Manage Program and Grants Portfolio

• Manage a portfolio of grants focused on postsecondary access, college persistence, completion and workforce readiness, ensuring alignment with the Foundation’s mission, strategic priorities and North Chicago Community goals.
• Source, evaluate and recommend new funding opportunities through proposal review, due diligence and analysis.

Continuous Improvement through Data Review, Collaboration, and Evaluation

• Monitor and evaluate grantee and initiative outcomes through site visits, data reviews, and ongoing communication.
• Provide technical assistance and thought partnership to strengthen implementation and impact.
• Address data gaps in postsecondary outcomes; use evidence-based practices to refine strategies, interventions, and grantmaking priorities.

Engage Community and Partners in Support of Student Success

• Partner with colleges, North Chicago School District 187, community based organizations, peer funders, and other stakeholders to expand supports and drive shared accountability for outcomes.
• Serve as a visible leader and advocate for equitable postsecondary access and success, representing the Foundation with key stakeholders.

Reporting, Budget Management, and Sustainability

• Provide regular updates, presentations, and reports to internal leadership, funders, and community partners. 
• Manage program and grantmaking resources responsibly to maximize student outcomes.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for investment, public funding, and collaborative initiatives to sustain and scale impact.

Organizational Contribution

• Contribute to a collaborative, equity-centered culture by engaging with colleagues across programs to ensure alignment and cross-functional impact.
• Build strong internal partnerships by offering support, sharing insights, and seeking input to strengthen the North Chicago postsecondary work.
• Actively participate in North Chicago team meetings, foundation-wide meetings/trainings, board meetings, and cross-organizational initiatives and committees.  
• Model adaptability, initiative, and inclusivity in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

Other Activities In Addition to the Above Work

• Represent and steward the Steans Family Foundation and family name with integrity and alignment with its core values.
• Use Foundation resources responsibly, obtaining approval for all expenditures and submitting timely expense reports and required documentation. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies (the “How”)

The ideal Program Officer of  Postsecondary Initiatives - North Chicago candidate will demonstrate the following attributes:

Passion to Serve the Young People and Families of North Chicago

• Connects to and/or has lived experiences as a member of the Black and/or Latine communities strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated passion for creating positive social change.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and equity.

Collaborative Approach

• Fosters and promotes trust and builds successful relationships and collaborations with a variety of stakeholders.
• Willingness to embrace and incorporate direct feedback.
• Displays humility and an openness to continued learning.
• Expresses eagerness to be part of a multicultural team.
• Brings a sense of humor to the work.

Strategic Thinking, Decision Making, and Execution

• Translates concepts into action by developing long term plans and applying strategic thinking to plan, execute, and evaluate initiatives.
• Applies sharp decision-making skills grounded in the Foundation’s strategy and guiding principles to make sound recommendations and judgements.
• Ability to make sound decisions, knowing when to proceed independently, when to seek input, and when additional information is required.
• Demonstrates a proven ability to approach challenges with creativity, adaptability, and a solution-oriented mindset. 
• Displays initiative, flexibility, and persistence in pursuing opportunities and driving projects from conception to completion. 

Data Analysis and Continuous Improvement

• Interprets and applies data to assess progress, identify trends and inform strategic adjustments.
• Synthesizes complex information into clear, actionable insights for internal and external. audiences to promote continuous learning.
• Uses evidenced based approaches to strengthen programming, outcomes, and grantmaking.
• Demonstrates adaptability, professionalism and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Communication, Relationship Building, and Professional Excellence

• Communicates complex ideas with clarity and purpose through compelling written and verbal communication, effectively engaging diverse audiences and facilitating productive discussions.
• Build trusting relationships and facilitate productive work across teams and with external partners.
• Manages multiple projects and priorities with organization, attention to detail, and composure.
• Leads with a mindset of service and partnership, adapting approach as needed to advance shared goals and strengthen collaboration. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• This position is primarily remote, with regular travel required to North Chicago, Lake County, and Chicago for meetings and site visits. Some of those locations may not be accessible.
• This is a full-time position.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk, hear, and use hands to operate office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to twenty-five pounds.
• The workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment. 
• Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.  

While employed in this position, the employee may be required to perform other assignments not listed in this job description. The employee is an employee at will, meaning that either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time by written notice to the other. Nothing in this job description creates a contract of employment for a specific period.