Senior Program Officer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Senior Program Officer - Health
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Salaried, full-time, exempt
Location: Chicago, hybrid 3 days/week in office

 

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1951, The Coleman Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation with an endowment of approximately $200 million. The Foundation invests about $9 million annually across three program areas—Health, Entrepreneurship, and Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities—to improve the physical health and economic and emotional well-being of people living in the greater Chicago region. Guided by a community-minded Board of Directors, the Foundation has entered a new strategic chapter marked by sharpened priorities, deeper learning and expanded engagement with community partners.

 

VALUES

• Respect for Community
• Responsiveness
• Empathy
• Responsible Stewardship

 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Coleman Foundation aspires to reduce health disparities and promote well-being in the Greater Chicago region. To achieve this vision, the Foundation invests in accessible, equitable, and preventive health initiatives. The Foundation’s Health strategy focuses on two goals; 1) Adopting and strengthening innovative care models; and 2) Reducing systemic barriers to health services.

The Senior Program Officer – Health will play a pivotal role in shaping how the Foundation invests in innovative care models, reduces systemic barriers to health, and partners meaningfully with organizations across the Chicago region. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned health equity leader to influence strategy, engage deeply with communities, and help guide a respected foundation through its next chapter of impact.

 

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Coleman Foundation seeks a Senior Program Officer – Health to lead and advance the Foundation’s Health grantmaking strategy. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a meaningful portfolio, engage deeply with community-based organizations, and help position the Foundation as a thoughtful, learning-oriented funder in the Chicago region. This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Senior Program Officer – Entrepreneurship and the Grants & Data Manager.

The successful candidate has an ability to work inclusively and build relationships with diverse stakeholders including community members representing historically marginalized populations, leaders of grassroots, community-based organizations, nonprofit institutions and philanthropic peers. The position requires humility, flexibility, and the capacity to manage and effectively prioritize multiple initiatives and grant programs. Given the small staff team at The Coleman Foundation, working collaboratively across role and function will be important.

 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Program - Strategy

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of health trends, emerging models, and best practices in health equity and philanthropy.
• Design and lead near and long-term grantmaking strategies that prioritize co-creation of goals, benchmarks, and funding priorities with internal stakeholders, subject-matter experts, and community members most impacted by health inequities.

 

Grant Program - Management

• Lead the Health grantmaking portfolio, including strategy implementation, application processes, and portfolio management. The Health portfolio may include up to 40 organizations.
• Partner with colleagues to co-lead the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and Responsive Grants portfolios.
• Work in collaboration with the Executive Director on development and implementation of future grantmaking opportunities and strategies.
• Source and advise potential applicants about grantmaking guidelines and reviews all grant applications, arranging site visits as needed. Conduct a thorough analysis of the applications, project budgets, and supporting materials and prepare written summaries and recommendations for action by the Board.
• Manage grant opportunity announcements, award and declination notices, including the preparation of grant contracts, newsletters, website information, and social media posts, in collaboration with the Foundation’s communications consultants and other staff.

 

Evaluation

• In partnership with the Grants & Data Manager, manage grant tracking, reporting, and performance assessment within the Foundation’s grants management system.

• Review grant reports, conduct regular check-ins with grantees, and support learning through feedback, modifications, and shared insights.

• Prepare reports and presentations for the Executive Director, Board, and external audiences on grantmaking outcomes and learning.

 

Community Engagement

• Conduct community outreach and cultivate relationships with diverse potential grant applicants and with current and former grantees to understand community and organizational needs aligned with The Coleman Foundation’s mission.
• Maintain deep knowledge of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, especially the health equity ecosystem and the Chicago region. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with Foundation stakeholders and peer funders, representing the Foundation at community meetings and events.
• Identify and facilitate opportunities for technical assistance for grantees to foster the most effective use of the Foundation’s resources and maximize chances of achieving shared goals.
• Demonstrate a commitment to culturally responsive health delivery practices and reductions in health disparities.

 

Learning & Development

• Assess grantee partner engagement in fulfilling health equity goals and performing strategic reviews that comply with Foundation goals.
• Lead foundation-wide and program team learning activities that improve collaboration, including compliance with organizational norms and providing support for other team members as necessary.
• Collaborate with all staff to provide insight and guidance on programmatic strategies, grantmaking and grant management.
• Lead and engage in emergent learning opportunities with the Board.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of eight years of relevant experience in grantmaking/philanthropy or a related role in a nonprofit (e.g., program development and operations, policy & advocacy, or learning and evaluation).
• Completion of an advanced degree (e.g. MSW, MPH, MPP, JD) or equivalent experience preferred. A combination of education and experience may be substituted for the education requirements.
• Proven leadership potential and recognized in the field for specific area of knowledge related to health equity, including a blend of experience in: Medicaid; mental health; data for community action; policies and practices that promote health equity.
• Experience leading learning, evaluating and monitoring processes.
• Experience working closely and effectively with Board of Directors.
• Strong financial literacy skills for evaluation of budgets, financial reports, and funding proposals.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and Zoom; ability to learn new technologies.
• Proven oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships and working directly with community partners/stakeholders/collaborators.
• Good judgment and discretion, as well as commitment to organizational reputation and confidentiality.
• Willingness to maintain flexibility in work schedule in order to meet ongoing organizational needs, including attending evening Board meetings and community events.

 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS

• Strong analytical capabilities with a proven ability to evaluate, integrate, and distill complex information into clear, actionable insights.
• Experience with or passion for our mission, vision, values, program areas, and the communities we serve.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people who hold diverse perspectives.
• Highly developed emotional intelligence, self-reflection and demonstrated ability to use interpersonal skills and political acumen in respectful and collaborative ways.
• An appropriate sense of humor.
• Flexibility and curiosity while collaborating directly with teams and managing multiple stakeholders.
• High degree of professional ethics, trustworthiness and integrity.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $140,000. Benefits include:

• SEP Retirement Plan with employer contribution

• Medical, dental, vision insurance*

• Life insurance*

• Short-and long-term disability insurance*

• Generous PTO

• Pre-tax Commuter Plan

• Onsite fitness center*

• Employee Matching Gifts

*Provided at no cost to the employee.

 

HYBRID ARRANGEMENT & LOCATION

We work in a hybrid arrangement. The Foundation provides expenses related to remote work including equipment, software and internet access. Employees are expected to work in the office Tuesday-Thursday and occasionally other weekdays as needed. Our offices are located in the Civic Opera Building (20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago) located in downtown Chicago.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

The Coleman Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All employees are responsible for maintaining a work culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with kindness and respect. We value a diverse work environment because teams are stronger with different perspectives and experiences. We encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, older members of society, and others from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to apply.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position is primarily a sedentary role. However, the person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to liaise with internal staff, access files, office machinery and a copier/scanner/printer. The Coleman Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position, experience working in philanthropy and/or health equity and how your experience directly aligns with the position.
• A resume that includes a reverse chronological description of your experience and education.

Chears & Associates (www.chearsassociates.com) has been retained for this search led by Dr. Victor E. Chears. His office will manage communication and contact through the recruitment and search process.

 

APPLICATION NOTES

• Refrain from any calls, emails and/or direct communication with Board and Staff of The Coleman Foundation.

• Candidates selected for in-person meetings will be personally responsible for any related expenses (e.g., travel, lodging, parking, etc.) relative to participation.

• The timing for application review and first interviews is anticipated to last through March 1, 2026. The Foundation may extend this deadline at its discretion. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Submit the requested materials via email to [email protected]. Please type your name (Last, First) and Senior Program Officer – Health in the subject line of your email.