Posted on November 15, 2011

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Program Officer, Arts Education

The Margaret A. Cargill (MAC) Philanthropies is looking for talent! MAC Philanthropies encompasses three different grantmaking organizations: Akaloa Resource Foundation, Anne Ray Charitable Trust and the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation. Collectively, these organizations are dedicated to providing meaningful assistance and support to society, the arts, the environment, and all living things. This exciting, fast-growing organization is located in Eden Prairie, MN. The Arts Education Program is one of three programs of the Arts & Cultures Program at the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation. The overarching goal of the Arts Education program is to have more educators who are confident and competent to teach the arts and to exist and remain in K-12 schools. The Foundation has chosen to focus its efforts to target a particular phase of teacher professional development in the arts during pre-service training and the first several years of entering the teaching profession. The program will pilot its grantmaking in two states, Alaska and Wisconsin.

Job Purpose:

The Program Officer is responsible for implementing and managing a new grantmaking program in Arts Education at the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, in collaboration with and under the supervision of the Program Director of Arts & Cultures.

Job Duties:

• Serve as the lead manager of the Arts Education grant-making program.
• Partner with the Program Director to implement and continually improve the program’s strategic plan and operations
• In collaboration with the Program Director and the Research and Evaluation Team, develop methods and systems for analyzing grant impact and effectiveness and determine relevance to the program’s interest area
• Organize overview visits for the Program Director and Foundation leadership
• Attend meetings and site visits in geographic regions such as, but not limited to Alaska and Wisconsin
• Manage grantee relationships and the implementation of program concepts with diplomacy and sensitivity
• Oversee active grants, review grant reports, monitor and evaluate progress of grantees, and provide clear communication and guidance to grantees, applicants, and other interested parties
• Prepare written materials for management and Board review and prepare and manage requests for proposals
• Assist with board meeting preparations, travel to and participate in board meetings as requested
• Communicate program strategies to board, staff, nonprofit organizations and other organizations as necessary
• Represent the Foundation to higher education and K-12 communities, arts education organizations, to the public, and to colleagues in the field of Arts Education
• Promote partnership and a culture of learning among grantees
• Attend and host conferences as appropriate to the goals of the program
• Assist with the hiring, training and development of program staff
• Other duties as assigned

Education and Experience:

• Graduate level academic degree in a related field or equivalent level of experience. Minimum requirement is an undergraduate degree with at least 5 years of direct experience working in a public education system in arts education either as a teacher, administrator, professor, or artist/art specialist
• Experience working with nonprofit art organizations, a background in philanthropy or relevant academic credentials
• Experience in at least one of the geographic areas of program focus, Wisconsin or Alaska, is preferred
• Background and understanding of policy issues within education, with an experienced capacity to advance program interests diplomatically in this area at college/university, public school system, and state levels
• A solid understanding of nonprofit organizational structure and decision making processes for change

Special Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience with strategy development, goal setting, evaluation and a track record of practical implementation of ideas
• A strategic thinker with an intellectual curiosity, research and networking skills and an exceptional ability to synthesize and analyze information
• Demonstration of high levels of cultural sensitivity, a polite and respectful approach, and a fit with Midwestern values and the Foundation’s organizational culture
• Strong oral and written skills
• Self-directed, organized, energetic, creative, accountable, and can handle multiple tasks
• Ability to work alone and as part of a team
• A deep belief in the importance of the arts in curriculum and in students’ lives
• A view of teachers as change agents
• A specific understanding of the relationships between college/universities and K-12 public schools and the nature and challenges of the education system as a whole
• Extensive experience and comfort working with K-12 teachers (generalists and art specialists), professors, administrators, artists, intermediaries, and technical-assistance providers.
• The desire and ability to travel extensively and work regionally and nationally
• Knowledge and familiarity with model arts education programs and the discernment to judge quality
• A commitment to the importance of metrics, measurement, monitoring to build knowledge and evaluation to initiate improvement
• Excellent people skills and a track record of shown ability to convene, facilitate, learn, listen, negotiate, and develop trusted relationships

Travel:

Up to 30%

Physical Demands:

• Required to sit for long periods of time
• Extensive computer use and use of a keyboard and mouse
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

Application Instructions

Qualified and interested parties should submit their resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to careers@macphil.org