Program Specialist, College Success

At San Diego Foundation (SDF), we are committed to inspiring enduring philanthropy and enabling community solutions to improve the quality of life throughout our region. The Community Impact Division leads SDF’s programmatic initiatives and strategic partnerships to build a vibrant, equitable, and resilient San Diego County. The College Success team within Education Initiatives works to mobilize philanthropy to advance educational equity across San Diego County, with a focus on improving K-16 outcomes so students are prepared for college, career, and life success. The Program Specialist, College Success supports a growing portfolio of programs that expand college access, persistence, and completion for students furthest from opportunity. This role provides programmatic, operational, and strategic support for SDF’s college success investments, including the Community Scholars Initiative (CSI), and supports the full lifecycle of grant programs, scholarship administration, partner engagement, research, data collection, evaluation, and reporting. This position works collaboratively across the College Success team and with nonprofit partners, schools, and community stakeholders to support student-centered pathways and systems that improve post-secondary outcomes across the region. The role requires strong project management, communication, relationship-building, and analytical skills, along with an understanding of the barriers facing students furthest from opportunity and the regional education landscape. This role requires frequent off-site engagement, including community meetings, partner site visits, student-facing events, and regional convenings. This is a hybrid position with weekly onsite requirements at SDF’s Liberty Station headquarters in San Diego. Essential Responsibilities CSI Program Implementation & Partner Engagement Work collaboratively with the Manager of College Success to implement and support the Community Scholars Initiative (CSI) strategy and annual workplan, including coordination of scholarship review and award processes, partner engagement activities, and initiatives that advance postsecondary access and success for students furthest from opportunity. Coordinate and support collaboration between SDF and CSI nonprofit partners by facilitating communication, convenings, stakeholder engagement activities, and technical assistance efforts that strengthen partner capacity and advance shared program goals. Conduct research, collect and analyze program and education data, and support the development of metrics, reports, and evaluation efforts that inform continuous learning, program improvement, and data-driven decision-making related to CSI and broader college success strategies. Support grants management and program operations by maintaining tracking systems, monitoring program activities and deliverables, coordinating reporting processes, and assisting with communications, content development, and storytelling efforts that highlight program impact and student success outcomes. Represent SDF at community meetings, partner site visits, student-facing events, and regional convenings to support relationship-building, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration across the education ecosystem. Program Research, Evaluation & Insights Conduct research, data collection, analysis, and evaluation activities related to higher education access, persistence, and completion to support program implementation, continuous learning, grantmaking, and strategic decision-making across SDF’s college success initiatives. Develop presentations, reports, data summaries, and other materials that communicate program goals, outcomes, and community impact to internal and external stakeholders, while supporting donor stewardship, partner engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. Support the College Success team’s program planning, grantmaking coordination, evaluation, reporting, and project management activities; contribute research and insights that help identify partnership opportunities and strengthen alignment between community-based organizations, educational institutions, and regional education initiatives. Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Support Support cross-functional collaboration with internal departments and external partners by assisting with communications, donor stewardship activities, stakeholder engagement, and coordination efforts that advance SDF’s college success and educational equity initiatives. Represent SDF at community meetings, partner site visits, and stakeholder events to support relationship-building, community engagement, and collaboration across education and nonprofit sectors. Perform additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned by the Manager, College Success. Bachelor’s degree in education, social sciences, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience. Commitment to advancing educational equity and improving postsecondary outcomes for students furthest from opportunity across San Diego County, with knowledge of the region’s education and nonprofit landscape and familiarity with the opportunities and barriers impacting historically underserved communities. Minimum of 3 years of experience in education, nonprofit, philanthropy, government, or community-based settings supporting program implementation, stakeholder engagement, grantmaking, or cross-sector initiatives. Experience supporting or coordinating college access, persistence, success, scholarship, or other educational equity-focused programs and initiatives. Experience coordinating projects and collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including schools, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, donors, and community partners to support cross-sector initiatives and partnerships. Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, track deliverables, support program operations, and contribute to reporting, evaluation, and data-informed decision-making efforts. Experience collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing information and data to support program planning, evaluation, communications, and continuous improvement activities. Strong written, verbal, facilitation, and presentation skills, with the ability to develop reports and presentations and engage effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience using databases, grants management systems, scholarship platforms, or CRM systems such as Blackbaud or Foundant preferred. Experience supporting donor stewardship, grantmaking processes, program budgets, grant tracking, financial reporting, or cross-functional engagement efforts preferred. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and culturally responsive community engagement practices. Core Competencies College Access, Persistence, and Success Knowledge Educational Equity and Scholarship Program Coordination Cross-Sector Collaboration and Partnership Support Data Collection, Analysis, and Data-Informed Decision Making Program Implementation and Project Coordination Grantmaking and Scholarship Administration Support Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management Community Engagement and Public Presentation Skills Research, Evaluation, and Continuous Learning Organizational, Operational, and Reporting Support Written and Verbal Communication Skills Collaboration and Cross-Functional Team Support Work Environment & Physical Demands Professional, hybrid work environment based in San Diego, California. Fast-paced, collaborative, and mission-driven setting. Ability to sit, stand, walk, or drive for extended periods, with or without accommodation. Ability to view and use a computer screen for up to two hours at a time. Ability to type and enter data using a computer keyboard. Ability to communicate effectively by phone, video, or in person. May require evening or weekend work for events and partner engagements. Occasional travel within or outside of San Diego County as needed. San Diego Foundation is committed to supporting the well-being, growth, and success of our employees through a comprehensive and competitive benefits package: Salaried, Exempt $71,000.00-$80,000.00 (San Diego Foundation is committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. Actual offers will be reflective of qualifications, skills, experience, internal equity, alignment with market data, among other relevant factors) Supportive, inclusive company culture; recognized as a Top Workplace by the San Diego Union-Tribune 5 years in a row Hybrid work environment with support for home office setup Option for a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance for employees 75% employer-paid premiums for eligible dependents 403(b) retirement plan with up to 4% employer match, plus annual discretionary contributions Earned Incentive Program Three weeks of paid time off annually, plus an additional organization-wide paid week off in July 13 paid holidays, plus 2 paid volunteer days each year Extended Health Care Time accrual for sick leave, family care, and parental leave Four-week paid sabbatical after every five years of service $100 monthly cell phone and internet reimbursement $75 quarterly wellness or gym reimbursement Annual $600 match to a nonprofit of your choice through a Donor Advised Fund Annual service recognition with a $100 donation to a nonprofit of your choice This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. #J-18808-Ljbffr