Job Description

 

About the Foundation

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, private charitable foundation that advances ideas and supports institutions to promote a better world. For more than 50 years, it has supported efforts to advance education for all, preserve the environment, foster gender equity and responsive governance around the world, support vibrant performing arts, serve Bay Area communities, and make the philanthropy sector more effective. In addition, we also make grants for special projects and to address other timely problems, such as challenges related to cybersecurity. Our newest program focuses on strengthening U.S. democracy. In 2020, the foundation announced a new grantmaking commitment focused on racial justice.

The Hewlett Foundation’s assets are approximately $12.8 billion with annual awards of grants totaling more than $550 million. More information about the Hewlett Foundation is available at: www.hewlett.org

About the Environment Program

The foundation’s Environment Program focuses on conservation of the North American West and addressing climate change. We are committed to clearly identifying our goals and measuring progress toward them. Our team is made up of 11 program staff, plus additional staff support from the communications, grants management, and legal departments. Additional information about the program is available here.

About the Position

The Program Associate will support and report to the Western Conservation Program Officer. The Program Associate manages a heavy load of grantmaking in Salesforce; processes contracts; communicates with grantees regarding proposals, budgets, and grant reports; manages the Western Conservation program budget and engages in other activities toward advancing the foundation’s Western Conservation grantmaking strategy and Environment team objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Program Associate’s duties will include but not be limited to:

Grants Administration and Contracts (60 percent)

• Relationship-building and coordination:
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with grantees, funders, and other potential partners to advance the Foundation’s mission in priority areas.
  • Respond to grantee and contractor questions about the grants or contracts process or materials.
  • Liaise with Grants Management, Legal, Finance and Accounting, and obtain legal and Foundation-required documents when advancing contractors and grants.
  • Track, prepare and submit consultant invoices and reimbursements in a timely manner.
• Process a very high volume of grants for the Western Conservation portfolio:
  • Track deadlines and proactively work with grantees to ensure timely document submissions, proposal reviews, legal compliance, and other internal reviews.
  • Enter proposal data in Salesforce and program budget planner. Complete grant coding, including adding/updating grant contacts, scheduling payments or program contingencies, and reconfirming and entering wire transfer information.
  • Ensure timely review and processing of grantee proposals and reports, keeping tracking information current and ensuring appropriate flow of grants against board timelines.
  • Stay up to date on legal compliance issues that the grant portfolios present and develop expertise in managing complex compliance issues.

Administrative Support (35 percent)

• Provide scheduling support for Program Officer as needed, including planning, and hosting, large virtual meetings, and webinars. For example, in 2024, the Program Associate and Program Officer will be working together to roll out an updated grantmaking strategy, which will require a substantive number of briefings for grantees and partners.
• Understand and apply internal policies and systems.
• Work with Program Officer to effectively prioritize workload, triaging deliverables to meet deadlines.
• Liaise with President’s Office and manage the process for Environment program-wide grant reporting in quarterly Board books.
• Liaise with Environment Program Manager and staff of the internal Effective Philanthropy Group and manage the allocation and tracking of Environment program-wide Organizational Effectiveness grants.

Environment Team Engagement (5 percent)

• Contribute to projects that improve skills, culture, and workflow of the Western Conservation strategy and broader Environment Program, as needed.
• Prepare for and participate in Western Conservation program presentations and briefings for staff, grantees, and funding partners.
• As interested, there are opportunities for the Program Associate to participate in and lead individual projects that advance the Foundation’s Western Conservation strategy.

 

Qualifications

• Excellent administrative and project management skills and experience, including the ability to plan and manage projects both independently and with colleagues.
• Experience in budget management is helpful.
• Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail and the ability to multitask.
• Ability to meet tight, sometimes simultaneous, deadlines with a keen ability to prioritize and partner with others to meet common goals.
• Proven ability to work as a strong, contributing member of a team.
• Advanced experience in MS Office, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; experience with Salesforce and Zoom a plus.
• Experience in web-based document management tools and practices. Willingness to learn new software tools and use them for program support.
• Proficiency with problem solving, analysis, and applying appropriate level of judgment.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Positive attitude, sense of humor, and a commitment to being part of a team-oriented, inclusive work environment.
• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree (or a combination of equivalent work experience and education) desired.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The position is based in Menlo Park, California. Staff are working in a hybrid environment and currently expected to work from the Hewlett Foundation office at least 2-3 times per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays are required in-office days). While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to spend extended periods of time at a computer. The Foundation requires all staff, vendors, and visitors accessing the office to be fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Compensation and Benefits

The Hewlett Foundation is committed to providing compensation that is competitive within the philanthropic sector. We offer a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits. The salary range for this role starts at $94,000-$105,000. Offers are based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of maintaining salary equity within the foundation.

To Apply

Please apply online and submit a resume and cover letter explaining how your skills fit this position.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation embraces the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, both internally in our hiring process and organizational culture, and externally, in our grantmaking and related practices. We are an equal opportunity employer, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

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