Senior Program Officer, Conservation

Senior Program Officer, Conservation
Fidelity Foundations
Boston, MA

About Fidelity Foundations

The Fidelity Foundations are a group of private foundations that fund a diverse set of programs on a national scale. In addition, the Foundations fund non-profit organizations that strengthen the communities in which Fidelity Investments employees live and work. Our values of integrity, compassion, innovation, and expertise guide our investments in conservation, education, arts and culture, health, and economic opportunity.

 

Today, the Foundations are at an important and exciting stage in our organizational history having grown and evolved in recent years under new leadership. As our strategies and organization continue to develop, we are seeking individuals with skills and expertise that support the advancement and execution of a long-term portfolio of significant and strategic philanthropic investments.

 

As a capacity-building funder, the Foundations seek to make catalytic, impactful, and lasting investments in non-profits at strategic inflection points and support projects that substantially enhance their impact and sustainability. Many projects involve planning, infrastructure (e.g., capital and technology), training, and other improvements to increase effectiveness. Grantmaking is executed through quiet giving and most grants are awarded anonymously.

 

Specifically, the Foundations’ Conservation Program seeks to:

 

• Protect and revitalize urban land that has the potential to provide enhanced access to open space and benefits for neighborhoods and communities
• Protect the ecological integrity of our land and waters for the benefit of both people and natural communities
• Support effective and sustainable management of land and water resources
• Conserve land both at the landscape and community scale to ensure the long-term health of the environment and to provide recreation and cultural enrichment opportunities

 

The Conservation Program focuses its efforts on New England. Learn more about one of our Foundations at: www.fidelityfoundation.org.

 

 

 

The Opportunity

 

The Senior Program Officer will partner closely with the Senior Advisor and conservation team members, with primary responsibility for refining and executing the Foundation’s strategy related to urban conservation within the city of Boston. This work includes increasing equitable public access to green space and local waterways, investing in the stewardship of the city’s parks and open spaces, and supporting climate resiliency with a focus in underserved communities.

 

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

 

• Lead and guide the Foundation’s conservation work within Boston, with responsibility for a specific payout target related to these investments
• Envision and cultivate potential grant opportunities aligned with the Foundations’ conservation strategy in Boston, particularly in the areas of urban land use, climate resiliency, and conservation
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with practitioners, city and state officials, and other partners in this work to understand opportunities, challenges, and develop projects of interest to the Trustees
• Work to advance promising proposals and organizations by conducting due diligence through site visits, in-depth materials reviews, financial analysis, and other activities
• Develop and refine proposals and write crisp, detailed internal summaries, documents, analyses, and grant recommendations for senior management
• Guide and contribute to the Foundations’ research agenda and strategy development in collaboration with Research, Learning, and Evaluation team
• Monitor and evaluate grant effectiveness against stated objectives and overall portfolio effectiveness
• Support grant administrative processes, including tracking relevant and timely information in the grants management system
• Provide expertise in support of other program areas and projects as required
• Follow media and literature to stay abreast of nonprofit trends and best practices, and attend relevant conferences to broaden knowledge

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate for the Senior Program Office role will exhibit many, but likely not all, of the following experiences and competencies:

 

• A minimum of 12 years of related work experience, particularly in the areas of urban planning, land use, and complex urban conservation projects and deals; experience as a nonprofit practitioner in this work is ideal
• Exceptional relationship-building and management skills who can create meaningful long-term relationships to support the Foundations’ conservation efforts; existing networks within related agencies and departments in Boston city government would be ideal
• Natural curiosity and ability to envision possibilities, with an eye towards aligning opportunities with the priorities of the Foundations
• A highly collaborative and collegial team member who understands the dynamics of a family foundation and embraces the opportunities associated with this structure
• The ability to translate complex and voluminous information into clear, concise written project previews, descriptions, and recommendations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, suitable for internal and external audiences
• A proven track record of delivering against goals
• Analytical skills and experience, particularly in conducting due diligence for organizations and projects; ability to assess information to draw sound conclusions
• Ability to multi-task and work flexibly and creatively within a fast-moving, changing, and complex environment
• Ability to move work forward independently and think big picture while applying a keen eye to detail; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in projects and systems
• Experience with strategic planning and execution strongly preferred
• Sound judgment, integrity, humility, and respect for confidentiality
• Strong service orientation
• Experience in philanthropy is preferred but not required

 

This position reports to the Senior Advisor and will be based in Boston, MA. The successful candidate will need to undergo a comprehensive background check.

Compensation & Benefits

The Fidelity Foundations offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, an annual performance-based bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Contact

The Fidelity Foundations have partnered with Cassie Scarano and Ariella Pasackow of Koya Partners for this search. To express your interest in this role please your resume and a thoughtful cover letter at this link. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

 

The Fidelity Foundations are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive professional environment. We encourage applications from candidates with a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

About Koya Partners

Koya Partners, a part of the Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

 

For more information about Koya Partners, visit www.koyapartners.com.