Carnegie Corporation of New York is seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial K – 16 education systems expert to serve as Program Officer for the New Designs for Classrooms, Schools and Systems portfolio within the Education Program.  

The Program Officer must possess a deep understanding of K-16 education systems (particularly middle and high school) and the policy conditions and practices required to support sustained innovation at scale. The ideal candidate is an individual with deep experience in at least one of the following areas: developing and supporting schools, transforming school systems and/or developing network, district, state or federal policy in support of innovation in school and governance design.  Experience in education evaluation and relevant research, and the ability to translate evidence into actionable strategy is highly desirable. Sound knowledge of the education technology landscape (supply and demand side) is preferable. Exceptional skills in working and communicating effectively with others are essential.  

As part of the New Designs team, the new Program Officer will work collaboratively with a small group of highly experienced education leaders to refine and implement the program strategy.  Specific responsibilities include supporting and developing the New Designs portfolio with the goal of creating innovative classroom, school and system governance models that deploy people, time, money and technology differently to raise the achievement bar for all students while closing the achievement gap between subgroups of students.  

The Program Officer will report to Leah Hamilton, Program Director, Urban Education.  The position is based at Carnegie’s New York City office. 

About the Foundation
Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to "promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding." Carnegie Corporation is one of the oldest, largest and most influential of American grantmaking foundations. Mr. Carnegie dedicated his foundation to the goal of doing “real and permanent good in this world” and deemed that its efforts should create “ladders on which the aspiring can rise.” In Carnegie’s current-day grantmaking the Corporation continues to carry out this mission through programs and initiatives that address today’s problems by drawing on the best ideas and cutting-edge strategies that draw strength from deep knowledge and scholarship.  For more information, visit www.carnegie.org.   

About the Education Program
The Education Program's goals are centered on creating pathways to educational and economic opportunity by generating systemic change across a K-16 continuum, with particular emphasis on secondary and higher education.  The Program works to enable many more students, including historically underserved populations, to achieve academic success. The Program’s grantees help all students perform with the high levels of creative, scientific, and technical knowledge and skill needed to compete in a global economy and exercise leadership.  

The Education Grantmaking Program grants are focused in three main areas:

1. By supporting a push for common core standards and next generation assessments the program counters low expectations for schools and students.

2. By supporting innovation in human capital preparation and management the program addresses the development of talent.

3. By supporting new designs for innovation in classrooms, schools, colleges and systems in K-16 the program seeks to strengthen student engagement, motivation, effort, and persistence through.  

In addition, the Program integrates these three areas by supporting efforts to improve policy, and thus create stronger conditions and platforms for accountability, innovation, and systemic reform. 

Key Responsibilities 

Key responsibilities include the following:  

Planning and Strategy

• Maintain a wide breadth and depth of knowledge about the current trends, professional practices and developing policy issues pertinent to the program.

• Collaborate with the Program Director and fellow Program Officers in planning grantmaking strategies that will have strong impact in areas important to the Corporation.

• Invite, review, and respond to inquiries and proposals in the Program area. Offer professional advice and field expertise to applicants and grantees.

• Work with grantees to develop and modify strategies to effectively use available resources while fulfilling Program goals.

• Develop briefing papers and Program-related reports that broadly contribute to the Foundation's understanding of new approaches, best practices, and issues in education reform.

• Organize advisory committees or ad hoc structures created to advance the Program's goals. 

Grantmaking

• Review, assess and act on new proposals, actively assisting in improving their quality.

• Review proposed budgets, staffing, work plans and anticipated project outcomes as related to proposal goals and institutional capability.

• Present quality proposals for funding by providing excellent critiques and external expert commentary to clearly identify proposal strengths, weaknesses and risks.

• Manage active grants, assess their progress, and respond to financial and programmatic reports.

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with current and prospective grantees.

• Ensure that sound financial controls are in place for each grant and that funds are spent wisely and according to grant agreements.

• Manage evaluation of grants and participate in assessments of Program strategy. Develop guidelines for measuring the success of programs and grants. 

Carnegie Corporation Support
• Provide leadership, e.g., public speaking, written publications, moderating panel discussions, in the program officer's professional field.

• Organize and coordinate Corporation-sponsored meetings of grantees and key field experts.

• Otherwise represent the Corporation externally. 

Qualifications
The Program Officer must possess a sophisticated understanding of K – 16 education systems (particularly middle and high school) and the policy conditions and practices required to support sustained innovation at scale.  The ideal candidate is a dynamic and entrepreneurial education expert with a strong background in developing and supporting schools and transforming school systems, a passion for innovation in school design and educational assessment, an understanding of the mechanisms of replication and scale, and the ability to put these attributes to practical use in grantmaking.  Key qualifications include the following: 

• Master's degree in a related field is required.

• Demonstrated success working with education organizations (in particular, innovative schools or school operators) and other relevant nonprofit enterprises and policy leaders.

• Prior foundation grantmaking experience, in a relevant field or other position that required development and implementation of an investment strategy (preferred).

• Familiarity with research and trends in education assessment and technology.

• Deep knowledge of evidence-based education research and evaluation methodology, as well as the principles of innovation in educational or other fields.

• Proven ability to define Program objectives, evaluate progress, and independently manage projects through a complete lifecycle.

• Demonstrated exceptional qualitative and quantitative analytical skills necessary for evaluating grants and proposals.

• A strong desire to help the Corporation improve the impact of its grantmaking through varied quantitative and qualitative means. 

• Excellent writing and presentation skills.

• Clear strategic thinking skills.

• Independent initiative and a collegial spirit in sharing ideas and receiving feedback.

• Adaptable, flexible nature.

• Interest in and willingness to travel frequently (25%-40%). 

Compensation
Carnegie Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. In additional to a base salary, employees of Carnegie Corporation are offered an excellent benefit program, including five weeks of vacation, comprehensive, low cost medical and dental insurance, 15% of total salary in retirement annuity and generous tuition reimbursement and other perks. 

Application Process 
Interested applicants should send cover letter, resume and salary information by email to:  

Martha Montag Brown & Associates, LLC
www.marthamontagbrown.com
Email: Martha(at)marthamontagbrown.com
Phone:  818.790.8873