Program Officer, Postsecondary - North Chicago, Steans Family Foundation

Program Officer, Postsecondary – North Chicago, Steans Family Foundation

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.

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 grant‑making portfolio, oversee program implementation, monitor outcomes, and use data to drive continuous improvement.

Primary Responsibilities:

• 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; 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; address data gaps and use evidence‑based practices to refine strategies.
• 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.
• Reporting, Budget Management, and Sustainability: Provide regular updates, presentations, and reports; manage program and grantmaking resources responsibly; identify and pursue opportunities for investment, public funding, and collaborative initiatives.
• Organizational Contribution: Contribute to a collaborative, equity‑centered culture; build strong internal partnerships; participate in team meetings, foundation‑wide meetings/trainings, board meetings, and cross‑organizational initiatives.
• Other Activities: Represent and steward the Steans Family Foundation and family name with integrity; use Foundation resources responsibly; other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies (the “How”):

• Passion to Serve the Young People and Families of North Chicago: Connects to lived experiences as a member of the Black and/or Latine communities; demonstrated passion for creating positive social change; commitment to diversity and equity; fosters trust; willingness to incorporate feedback; humility; eagerness to be part of a multicultural team; sense of humor.
• Strategic Thinking, Decision Making, and Execution: Translates concepts into action; applies strategic thinking; sharp decision‑making skills; independent judgment; creativity; initiative and persistence.
• Data Analysis and Continuous Improvement: Interprets data; synthesizes information into actionable insights; uses evidence‑based approaches; professional commitment to continuous learning.
• Communication, Relationship Building, and Professional Excellence: Communicates complex ideas clearly; builds trusting relationships; manages multiple projects; leads with service and partnership.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in education or related field strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in postsecondary access, student success initiatives, college persistence, or related education reform work.
• Experience working with historically under‑resourced and diverse student populations, including students of color and first‑generation college goers required.
• Experience developing and implementing strategies that improve college enrollment, persistence, and completion outcomes.
• Familiarity with evidence‑based practices and interventions.
• Strong understanding of educational systems and the barriers that impact equitable postsecondary access and success.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with databases and data visualization tools.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred; experience working with Latine communities a plus.

The annual salary for this position is $120,000–$135,000 and commensurate with prior experience. A comprehensive benefits package is also included.

Work Environment:

• Primarily remote; regular travel to North Chicago, Lake County, and Chicago for meetings and site visits; some locations may not be accessible.
• Full‑time position.
• Uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets; may need to lift up to twenty‑five pounds.
• Smoke‑free and drug‑free workplace.