Senior Program Officer, Restorative Economies Fund

The Opportunity The Senior Program Officer (SPO) of the Restorative Economies Fund (REF) is a key programmatic leader and thoughtful and engaged contributor to the Kataly team, focused on the Foundation’s mission to promote social justice and racial equity in communities most impacted by injustice. The SPO is responsible for leading the team in the refined design and implementation of REF’s integrated capital approach with specific expertise in grantmaking, serving as the lead contact for the REF grant program and managing the Program Officer, REF (PO) and any consultants or advisors. The SPO oversees all aspects of the REF grantmaking program in consultation with the REF team, specifically the Program Officer. Responsibilities include procedures, methods, workflow, assessing potential partners, engaging in issue exploration, participating in community events, fostering community and grantee relations, and supporting Kataly’s capacity‑building efforts in partnership with the Capacity Building team. The SPO also contributes to communication strategies under the direction of the CEO, Managing Director of Programs (MDP), and Director of Communications. The SPO deeply understands and is committed to Kataly’s values and mission, and reports directly to the MDP. The Foundation constantly searches for innovative, progressive, and improved operating methods to adapt to the evolving needs of staff, grantees, and community partners. Every employee must adapt quickly to pivots and be open and flexible about taking on and learning new and different duties. Key Responsibilities In partnership with the CEO, MDP, REF staff, advisors, and consultants, co‑lead and create program development and strategic planning for REF. With the support of the PO, research, assess, and recommend grantees for approval with funding three times a year in accordance with grant periods established by Grants Management. Manage the development of the agenda and clarify processes for REF team meetings alongside the REF Integrated Capital Officer and Program Officer. Implement strategies for sharing knowledge internally and externally. Plan, budget, and strategize grantmaking in collaboration with the Program Officer, REF. Manage REF consulting contracts and relationships. Create, manage, and facilitate procedures, methods, and workflow processes within the REF team. Make recommendations to the REF team on responding to materially changing conditions at the grassroots level in accordance with urgent grantee needs. Maintain strong, mutually respectful relationships with grantee partners through every point of contact, including responding to inquiries, conducting site visits, evaluating and recommending grants, processing awards and payments, managing payment schedules, and closing out grants. Conduct research and analysis related to the Restorative Economics Framework, provide regular updates on grantees’ work and field developments, and lead organizational learning around key questions grantees are addressing. Manage grantmaking planning, budgeting, and strategy for the REF team and approve individual grants in alignment with the REF framework and budget allocations. Conduct research, analysis, writing, and other documentation to support REF and Kataly’s program needs. Serve as a connector for grantee partners, connecting them with opportunities to amplify their work with potential funders and donors and increase access to philanthropic spaces. Support the PO in gathering, analyzing, and monitoring data points that will inform impacts, gaps, and challenges in the program’s strategy. Provide supervision, mentorship, guidance, and direction to the PO and leadership to the REF team for ongoing growth and development. Serve as the lead point of contact for the REF Grants Program to promote maximum impact and ensure grants meet strategy goals. Provide support in the use of the Foundation’s voice, actions, or policies that align with the foundation’s philanthropic approach. Engage in ongoing communications with the MDP, keeping them informed about program needs, challenges, successes, strategic development, shared learning opportunities, grants, and grantee accomplishments. Collaborate with Kataly’s Director of Communications to produce qualitative and quantitative narrative reports on REF grantmaking and strategy, and contribute to Kataly’s communications efforts as requested. Collaborate with the Director of Communications to develop a process for capturing and documenting grantee stories as narrative data for various communication channels. Collaborate with Kataly’s Capacity Building Team to identify, prioritize, and address key capacity‑building needs of grantee partners and across the ecosystem. Work with the Director of Capacity Building and the Grants Management team to create strategies for shared learning between grantees. Provide guidance, education, and resources for capacity building for community‑based organizations with limited infrastructure. Work closely with the REF team to identify strategies to engage other funders across issue areas, support peer funder efforts, and increase resourcing power building, collective healing, and the solidarity economy ecosystem. Co‑design the annual evaluation of REF’s grantmaking and spend‑out planning, and lead organizational learning around key questions grantees are addressing. Help refine the REF grantmaking strategy, priorities, and decision‑making using the REF Logic Model, grantmaking analysis, data, and field data. Research, prioritize, and follow up on issues and concerns, demonstrating leadership and initiative to maintain credibility, trust, and sustainable relationships. Represent the foundation to key program‑related external constituencies and forums. Participate in meetings on grantmaking, planning, and strategy across the Foundation; attend relevant trainings and conferences. Exercise sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information on behalf of Kataly. Engage in effective, timely communications with management, team members, grantees, community partners, vendors, and consultants. Create an effective, safe home workspace; maintain a regular, dependable schedule per Kataly’s expectations. Develop and grow in your role, recommend and participate in ongoing professional development. Constantly assess areas for improvement and implement processes to enhance operational efficiencies. Maintain strong relationships encouraging mutually beneficial partnerships. Escalate employment or HR issues regarding team members to the CEO or CFOO. Participate fully in performance management with your manager: engage in ongoing communications about your performance, develop annual Work Plans, and demonstrate commitment to growth. Prepare accurate expense reports within policy guidelines and submit to accounting on time. Perform additional functions and duties as requested; travel and work extended hours as needed. Candidate Profile Solidarity Economy and Program Expertise in a Philanthropic Context Experienced in Solidarity Economy. Comprehensive understanding of restorative economics, just transition and the solidarity economy movement. Holds awareness of the history and current state of the field, the gaps and needs, and the role philanthropy should play. Understands the solidarity economy as an intersectional approach to systems transformation toward justice and collective liberation. Program Awareness Comprehensive knowledge of relevant issues, historical context, current landscape, key challenges and strategies for change in the program area. Includes deep understanding of partners, funding modes, technical challenges and politics. Possesses a long‑term view toward social and civic change work. Movement‑Centered Justice Expert Strong racial, economic and social justice assessment through race, class, gender and power analysis. Holds expertise in movement and power building strategy and a solid conception of the organizing landscape. Demonstrates personal experience or genuine empathy with the issues confronting the communities Kataly serves. Grantee‑Centered Approach to Philanthropy Experienced grantmaker with significant leadership‑level grant‑making experience and success creating and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, grantees, and partners. Builds coalitions and establishes cross‑sectoral linkages, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with diverse people. Understanding of Social Change Nonprofit and Philanthropic Landscape Familiar with nonprofit sector and philanthropic practices, including grantmaking processes, nonprofit governance, financial management, policy development, advocacy strategies, and the role of philanthropy in influencing public policy for systems change. Strategic Leadership & Team Management Planning: Proven strategic thinker with experience developing evidence‑based tactical or operational plans, shaping and managing sustainable and scalable ventures. Effective Manager: Proven experience leading teams to shared goals, partnering with staff to encourage growth and development. Additional Qualifications Bachelor’s degree; 10+ years of leadership experience in grant‑making or grantmaking program management for a foundation or nonprofit, or equivalent. Proven leadership and track record in building and nurturing alliances with community partners. Location and Employment Even though this is a remote position, the successful candidate must live in the San Francisco Bay Area. The remote nature may change at any time, requiring attendance at a Kataly‑sponsored location one or more days per week. The position is not eligible for employer visa sponsorship, and all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future. Compensation and Benefits Salary for the role is anticipated to range from $165,000 to $175,000, commensurate with experience. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including fully paid group health, dental, vision, long‑term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, employer 401k contribution of 15% of salary, generous PTO, paid sick time, at least 11 paid holidays, a two‑week operations shut‑down, days off to vote or work at the polls, floating holidays, reflection week, paid leaves of absence, an employee discretionary grants program, a professional development budget, a home workspace budget, a work‑from‑home monthly allowance, and a cell phone stipend. Contact Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our All inquiries are strictly confidential. Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you need assistance expressing interest online, please email View email address on click.appcast.io. If selected for an interview, additional information on accommodations will be provided. All job applicants and employees must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis without need for visa sponsorship. Positions at Kataly are not eligible for employer visa sponsorship, and Kataly will not sponsor employees for work‑related visa status. Equal Opportunity Employer Statement Kataly Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, income class, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or marital status, as well as applicants who have been previously incarcerated. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the organization and strongly encourage those from historically under‑served, underrepresented or marginalized communities to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. About Koya Partners Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission‑driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission‑driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world. #J-18808-Ljbffr