The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Since 1916, the Foundation has aligned its fundraising, grant making, and civic leadership efforts to address Rhode Island’s most pressing issues and the needs of diverse communities. The Foundation is a dynamic, fast-paced workplace. Its dedicated employees are committed to creating positive change in Rhode Island.

The Foundation is currently seeking a full-time strategic initiative officer (SIO) to support the health sector. The SIO is responsible for developing and maintaining a portfolio of grant investments that reflects the goals and focus areas articulated in the Foundation’s strategic plan. This includes determining the allocation of funds among identified approaches and strategies within the portfolio most likely to produce intended results and suggesting modifications as appropriate. Primary responsibilities include:

• Serve as liaison to the health sector. Within the context of the strategic plan, identify key stakeholders and significant strengths, challenges, and opportunities that may be of interest to the Foundation. Surface new opportunities and help assess whether the Foundation can/should intervene.
• Maintain a high level of visibility and leadership in the sector, and develop subject matter expertise to assess priorities, opportunities and threats. Collaborate with, connect, and convene key community stakeholders on key efforts relative to the sector.
• Serve as relationship manager with grantees, applicants, and community partners. Identify and help match grant funding and technical assistance opportunities for community organizations, both through the Foundation and other sources. Review and evaluate grant applications as assigned, and formulate funding recommendations for senior leadership and board of directors.
• Identify community investment opportunities on a proactive basis, and bring such opportunities to Foundation colleagues for consideration. These may include grants, impact investments, technical assistance, convenings, or other services.
• Represent the strategy and sector to leadership, donors, colleagues, and the community. Represent the Rhode Island Foundation at community events.
• Work with the Director of Evaluation and Learning to articulate the alignment of Foundation grant investments in the sector with goals, priorities, and benchmarks. Serve as evaluator by understanding sector metrics and monitoring results and lessons learned. Assess and reflect to adjust approach as needed.
• In close partnership with Communications, advance the Foundation’s brand broadly, as well as specific strategic messages.
• Partner with Development staff to develop and/or deepen the Foundation’s relationships with donors and prospects and identify co funding opportunities.
• Manage special grant programs and processes outside of sector work as assigned

Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred. Experience in managing a nonprofit organization or other related nonprofit experience may be substituted for advanced degree.

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in nonprofit sector, preferably with relevant grant making experience. Requires substantive knowledge of the health sector, knowledge of the management of nonprofit organizations, experience with evaluation techniques, and some experience working with donors.

The ideal candidate must be able to build and steward relationships and have exceptionally strong verbal and written communication skills, superb attention to detail, and strong professional judgement and decision-making skills. He/she must be organized and adept at managing multiple priorities at one time with excellent time management skills, flexible and adaptable, able to accommodate change, and conscious of quality, relationships, and results. We are looking for a team player who provides high quality customer service both inside and outside of the Foundation, values diversity and input, and is a humble and eager learner.

The Rhode Island Foundation encourages a diverse work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We offer excellent benefits and a competitive salary.

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to Frank Cerilli, Vice President of Human Resources, at fcerilli@rifoundation.org.