Portfolio Manager, Education

The Portfolio Manager will spearhead select grantmaking efforts in the education portfolio, refine the Foundation’s strategy and build the Foundation’s public presence. The role reports to the Vice President, Education. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Identifying and Supporting Grantee Organizations
•    Identify prospective grantee organizations that align with the Foundation’s mission and strategy through networking and research.
•    Manage all aspects of moving a potential grantee through the Foundation’s due diligence process, including: 
o    Assessing the strength of an organization’s leadership and strategic plan
o    Developing a thesis for how the Foundation may work with a potential grantee
o    Leading strategic planning sessions, focused on issues like theory of change, model codification, strategic priorities, financial modeling, and implementation planning.
o    Performing necessary analyses such as benchmarking and competitive assessment.
o    Determining, in conjunction with the Vice President, whether a grant should be pursued, and if so, how the grant should be structured, and how success should be measured.
o    Drafting a paper that makes the case for a grant to the trustees.
o    Preparing the grantee to present in front of trustees.
o    Developing and finalizing the grant agreement.
•    Demonstrate commitment to grantee implementation success by creating close, positive relationships, providing ongoing problem-solving support and eliminating barriers to their success. Conduct annual step-back processes to refine strategy in response to new information.
•    Track grantee progress through ongoing implementation support, site visits, data collection, and third-party evaluation and problem-solving session.
•    Keep the Vice President and President apprised of grantee progress and seek assistance as needed to ensure grantee success.

Supervising Associates
•    Provide direction to Portfolio Associates as they support due diligence work and ongoing strategy or implementation projects with active grantees.
•    Provide feedback and coaching to Associate so they continue to develop as professionals.

Partnering with the Applied Learning Hub (ALH) Team
•    Collaborate with the ALH team to develop new approaches to grantee implementation work with the potential to dramatically amplify student impact.
•    Support ALH to develop and deliver educator and leader programming that advances and accelerates the work of grantees.
•    Provide thought partnership and feedback to ALH on the team’s body of work to strengthen Applied Learning connections across different grantee programs.

Developing and Supporting Foundation Strategy and Approach
•    Develop and maintain a breadth of knowledge about existing research, current trends, and emerging issues in the Foundation’s areas of concentration.
•    Use research and data analysis to inform ongoing refinement of strategy for the 
Education portfolio, in collaboration with the team.
•    Develop, nurture, and access a robust network of operators, public sector leaders, academics, and philanthropists who will help inform strategy and identify high-caliber emerging organizations and approaches to K-12 sector improvement.
•    Represent the One8 Foundation at meetings, conferences, and other events.
•    Prepare communications and reports for trustees.

The Portfolio Manager will identify great leaders and develop grants and partnerships that can affect systemic change. The Portfolio Manager must embody the Foundation’s high standard for rigor, passion, and commitment, while working alongside grantees and providing support and skills to ensure their success. Qualified candidates will possess:

•    At least 5 years of relevant experience, including at least 2 from a strategic consulting environment.
•    Operating experience in a school district, nonprofit, or other mission-driven organization preferred.
•    Analytical orientation with the ability to structure investment hypotheses, conduct the associated research, assess programmatic, management, and financial information, and unearth relevant implications and opportunities.
•    Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
•    Demonstrated ability to communicate with senior organizational leaders, collaborate effectively, and interact with diverse organizations.
•    An abiding belief that education is a primary means to dramatically improve the life outcomes of children and that all children can achieve at high levels independent of their circumstances.
•    Insatiable curiosity, a love of learning, and the desire and skill to help others succeed.
•    A sense of humor, the preference to work in teams, and the ability to bring out the best in others.
•    Self-motivation and the ability to work independently, take initiative, and solve problems.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
•    Familiarity with the U.S. education landscape preferred.
•    Ability to occasionally work in office on Mondays and Fridays for relevant business needs. 
•    Bachelor’s degree (required); MBA preferred.

The One8 Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits and generous PTO package.

To fill this position, One8 is working with an outside recruiter. To apply, please click here to send cover letter, resume, and salary expectations. You can direct any questions to ellen@intogreatmanagement.com.