YCCF Senior Program Officer
Apply NowCompany: YELLOWSTONE CLUB
Location: Big Sky, MT 59716
Description:
The Yellowstone Club Community Foundation (YCCF), established in 2010, serves as the philanthropic arm of the Yellowstone Club, fostering connections between its members and local nonprofit organizations. Our mission is to cultivate philanthropy, volunteerism, and capacity building for local organizations addressing the greatest needs in livability, health & wellness, environment, arts & culture, and education. Our vision is to nurture thriving communities in the greater Big Sky region in Southwest Montana.
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, just west of the famed Gallatin River, near the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone Club is a private club spanning 15,200 rolling acres surrounded by 10,000-foot peaks, world-class skiing, and blue-ribbon trout streams. With over 900 members and their families, the Foundation has played a pivotal role in supporting local communities, investing over $31.5M since inception.
The Foundation currently invests approximately $4M-$5M annually in the surrounding communities through grants, scholarships, sponsorships, and programming. It also operates Big Sky Thrift, a community thrift store, and The Social Impact Hub, a non-profit co-working space in Big Sky. Located in the heart of the Big Sky community, the Foundation team balances their time raising critical funds from the membership and serving the nonprofit sector through their many programs and collective impact work.
At a pivotal moment of growth and change, the Foundation is currently building a endowment that will increase our community investment portfolio by 150% to ensure the growing resort community of Big Sky, MT, of which the Yellowstone Club is a part, evolves into a thriving year-round community. This long-term support will foster a livable community for individuals and families who work here, promote the health and wellness of locals and visitors, and uphold stewardship of our natural environment.
To learn more about the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, visit their website here.
The Opportunity/Purpose
The Senior Program Officer will report to the VP of Philanthropy and serve on the leadership team at the Foundation as a key contributor to expanding its impact throughout the greater Big Sky region through community investments, programs, and strong community relationships.
The Senior Program Officer will be directly responsible for leading the community investment arm of the Foundation which includes the grantmaking program, Social Impact Hub programming, and any future program development that strengthens the vitality of our community partners. This includes supervising all staff within these programs, designing and implementing efficient systems to collect, analyze, and report on the Foundation's programs, and managing their own grantmaking portfolio that includes all of the grantees in Big Sky, MT. He/she/they will also forge and steward relationships with current and prospective nonprofit grantees throughout the Big Sky community to increase YCCF's visibility and champion the region's most critical causes.
The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of collective impact principles, strong project management skills, excellent communication and facilitation skills, leadership skills, and a track record of successful collaboration across diverse groups of stakeholders. They will also hold a love for the region and the people that live within our communities, spearheading our work in ways that bring together people, ideas, and charitable capital support that result in thriving communities.
Major Responsibilities
Program Design & Implementation- 40%
Collaborate and work with other departments within the Foundation to ensure that activities are aligned with the mission and goals, and well-coordinated to meet shared objectives.
Serve as a thought leader and expert on programmatic best practices, trends, and innovation.
Lead and implement programmatic strategy for the grantmaking and social impact hub programming, including evaluating workflows, defining the processes and tools required, and ensuring systems and technology support scale and growth across programmatic areas.
Support the VP of Philanthropy in advancing innovative community leadership goals through stewarding collective impact funds, co-creating strategies for YCCF to respond to community needs, and developing partnerships to drive investment.
Provide oversight and strategy for the Foundation's grant programs including: oversight of annual spendable amounts, establishing funding priorities in line with Board intent, developing eligibility criteria, overseeing/leading grant review meetings and all content supporting these meetings.
Manage the Big Sky grantee portfolio with annual site visits and regular communication providing technical assistance and consultation services to
current and potential grantees in the areas of planning, program design, impact measurement, policy issues and the grant application process.
Leadership & Management- 25%
Staff Supervision
Recruit, hire, and supervise program staff for the Foundation.
Provide one-on-one coaching and support to program officers to guide programming work and daily operations.
Identify opportunities for professional development of the program team.
Coordinate annual goal setting and strategic planning for program staff, review their work plans, and provide recommendations.
Facilitate overall positive staff experience.
Foundation Communications
Collaborate with Foundation staff on written and visual assets for YCCF communications including annual reports, press releases, newsletters, and website updates, as needed.
Address requests from the nonprofit community for information and resources through thoughtful and clear communications.
Organizational Life
Participate in the Foundation's organizational life, including department management, team building, and events as required.
Positively demonstrate the values and contribute to the culture of the Foundation.
Demonstrate a commitment to community and the well-being of the greater Big Sky region.
Interact professionally with other employees and external stakeholders across the Yellowstone Club.
Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments across the organization.
Follow all company policies and procedures, as well as all local, state, and federal laws concerning employment.
Contribute to a safe and productive environment.
Uphold the highest ethical standards at all times.
Other duties as assigned
Community & Partner Engagement- 20%
Foster a culture of collaboration and trust to maintain strong relationships with community partners, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, other funders, businesses, and other key stakeholders.
Effectively engage with grantees, volunteers, and other stakeholders in program visioning, strategy, and impact to ensure that programs center their needs.
Represent the organization at external events, conferences, in community networking, and with other funders to build partnerships to further the reach and impact of programs.
Serve as liaison between the Foundation team and Big Sky community partners, ensuring everyone is up to date on recent happenings.
Participate in cross-sector (nonprofit, government, business, grantmaking) collaboratives that advance the Foundation's mission and goals and ensure the program team has widespread representation across the communities we serve.
Leverage collaborative alliance to seek local, regional, and national grants to grow grantee programs sustainability.
Impact Assessment- 15%
Assess and evaluate impact across program areas to ensure goals are met and learnings are shared in support of the growth and direction of the organization.
Define and coordinate the team's approach to collecting and evaluating grantee data.
Advise the program team on the development and upkeep of databases and dashboards to track the outcomes of grants, programs, and initiatives.
Create and disseminate programmatic updates, reports, and presentations on the outcomes and impacts of the Foundation's investments and strategic impact.
Participate in information sharing and education with community and peer foundations.
Identify best practices and gaps within Foundation's focus areas to share with VP of Philanthropy and Board of Directors so they can make informed decisions on investment strategy.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate should:
Bring a history of successful leadership in the nonprofit sector, ideally with 5-10 years of foundation experience, to enrich the Foundation's practices.
Demonstrate proficiency as a strategic planner, adept at collaborating with teams, alongside possessing strong analytical, communication, and program/project management skills.
Operate as an authentic leader who thrives on serving others in a constructive and inclusive manner, fostering sustainable collaborative relationships.
Possess the experience and reputation as a proven community leader, enthusiastic about leveraging the region's resources to address significant challenges.
Bring a community perspective and knowledge of the nonprofit ecosystem, informed by both lived experience and professional engagement. If lacking direct experience in the greater Big Sky area, the candidate's ability to embrace and be embraced by our region must be unequivocal.
Ability to translate innovative ideas into actionable strategies, demonstrating a practical visionary approach with a focus on measurable impact, while maintaining respect for process, data and execution.
Hold a professional acumen to effectively interact with staff, Board members, philanthropists, and media representatives is essential, along with a natural ability to connect comfortably with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Have exceptional communication and influencing skills, including the ability to convey complex information in accessible ways.
Be creative in identifying untapped opportunities for partnership, collaboration, or investment, coupled with resourcefulness to capitalize on such opportunities, is valued.
Education:
A master's degree in a related field, such as public administration, sociology, or nonprofit management, is valued but not required. Completion of coursework in areas such as strategic planning, program evaluation, program management, and program design is a plus.
Qualifications:
Strong facilitation, communication, and negotiation skills, with experience in bringing together diverse stakeholders and managing group dynamics.
Excellent writing and grammar skills, along with general communication abilities, both written and verbal, are required.
Experience leading staff with a high level of emotional intelligence.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
A proactive and solution-oriented mindset, coupled with creativity and resourcefulness in seeking or developing solutions.
Proficiency in strong project and time management skills is necessary, demonstrating the ability to manage multiple workstreams with ease and effectiveness.
Experience in philanthropy is required, and additional experience in nonprofits is valued.
Salary & Location:
This position requires individuals to live and work in Big Sky, MT. Housing may be secured by the employer if desired.
The annual salary ranges from $125k to $175k, with generous benefit package.
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, just west of the famed Gallatin River, near the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone Club is a private club spanning 15,200 rolling acres surrounded by 10,000-foot peaks, world-class skiing, and blue-ribbon trout streams. With over 900 members and their families, the Foundation has played a pivotal role in supporting local communities, investing over $31.5M since inception.
The Foundation currently invests approximately $4M-$5M annually in the surrounding communities through grants, scholarships, sponsorships, and programming. It also operates Big Sky Thrift, a community thrift store, and The Social Impact Hub, a non-profit co-working space in Big Sky. Located in the heart of the Big Sky community, the Foundation team balances their time raising critical funds from the membership and serving the nonprofit sector through their many programs and collective impact work.
At a pivotal moment of growth and change, the Foundation is currently building a endowment that will increase our community investment portfolio by 150% to ensure the growing resort community of Big Sky, MT, of which the Yellowstone Club is a part, evolves into a thriving year-round community. This long-term support will foster a livable community for individuals and families who work here, promote the health and wellness of locals and visitors, and uphold stewardship of our natural environment.
To learn more about the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, visit their website here.
The Opportunity/Purpose
The Senior Program Officer will report to the VP of Philanthropy and serve on the leadership team at the Foundation as a key contributor to expanding its impact throughout the greater Big Sky region through community investments, programs, and strong community relationships.
The Senior Program Officer will be directly responsible for leading the community investment arm of the Foundation which includes the grantmaking program, Social Impact Hub programming, and any future program development that strengthens the vitality of our community partners. This includes supervising all staff within these programs, designing and implementing efficient systems to collect, analyze, and report on the Foundation's programs, and managing their own grantmaking portfolio that includes all of the grantees in Big Sky, MT. He/she/they will also forge and steward relationships with current and prospective nonprofit grantees throughout the Big Sky community to increase YCCF's visibility and champion the region's most critical causes.
The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of collective impact principles, strong project management skills, excellent communication and facilitation skills, leadership skills, and a track record of successful collaboration across diverse groups of stakeholders. They will also hold a love for the region and the people that live within our communities, spearheading our work in ways that bring together people, ideas, and charitable capital support that result in thriving communities.
Major Responsibilities
Program Design & Implementation- 40%
Collaborate and work with other departments within the Foundation to ensure that activities are aligned with the mission and goals, and well-coordinated to meet shared objectives.
Serve as a thought leader and expert on programmatic best practices, trends, and innovation.
Lead and implement programmatic strategy for the grantmaking and social impact hub programming, including evaluating workflows, defining the processes and tools required, and ensuring systems and technology support scale and growth across programmatic areas.
Support the VP of Philanthropy in advancing innovative community leadership goals through stewarding collective impact funds, co-creating strategies for YCCF to respond to community needs, and developing partnerships to drive investment.
Provide oversight and strategy for the Foundation's grant programs including: oversight of annual spendable amounts, establishing funding priorities in line with Board intent, developing eligibility criteria, overseeing/leading grant review meetings and all content supporting these meetings.
Manage the Big Sky grantee portfolio with annual site visits and regular communication providing technical assistance and consultation services to
current and potential grantees in the areas of planning, program design, impact measurement, policy issues and the grant application process.
Leadership & Management- 25%
Staff Supervision
Recruit, hire, and supervise program staff for the Foundation.
Provide one-on-one coaching and support to program officers to guide programming work and daily operations.
Identify opportunities for professional development of the program team.
Coordinate annual goal setting and strategic planning for program staff, review their work plans, and provide recommendations.
Facilitate overall positive staff experience.
Foundation Communications
Collaborate with Foundation staff on written and visual assets for YCCF communications including annual reports, press releases, newsletters, and website updates, as needed.
Address requests from the nonprofit community for information and resources through thoughtful and clear communications.
Organizational Life
Participate in the Foundation's organizational life, including department management, team building, and events as required.
Positively demonstrate the values and contribute to the culture of the Foundation.
Demonstrate a commitment to community and the well-being of the greater Big Sky region.
Interact professionally with other employees and external stakeholders across the Yellowstone Club.
Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments across the organization.
Follow all company policies and procedures, as well as all local, state, and federal laws concerning employment.
Contribute to a safe and productive environment.
Uphold the highest ethical standards at all times.
Other duties as assigned
Community & Partner Engagement- 20%
Foster a culture of collaboration and trust to maintain strong relationships with community partners, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, other funders, businesses, and other key stakeholders.
Effectively engage with grantees, volunteers, and other stakeholders in program visioning, strategy, and impact to ensure that programs center their needs.
Represent the organization at external events, conferences, in community networking, and with other funders to build partnerships to further the reach and impact of programs.
Serve as liaison between the Foundation team and Big Sky community partners, ensuring everyone is up to date on recent happenings.
Participate in cross-sector (nonprofit, government, business, grantmaking) collaboratives that advance the Foundation's mission and goals and ensure the program team has widespread representation across the communities we serve.
Leverage collaborative alliance to seek local, regional, and national grants to grow grantee programs sustainability.
Impact Assessment- 15%
Assess and evaluate impact across program areas to ensure goals are met and learnings are shared in support of the growth and direction of the organization.
Define and coordinate the team's approach to collecting and evaluating grantee data.
Advise the program team on the development and upkeep of databases and dashboards to track the outcomes of grants, programs, and initiatives.
Create and disseminate programmatic updates, reports, and presentations on the outcomes and impacts of the Foundation's investments and strategic impact.
Participate in information sharing and education with community and peer foundations.
Identify best practices and gaps within Foundation's focus areas to share with VP of Philanthropy and Board of Directors so they can make informed decisions on investment strategy.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate should:
Bring a history of successful leadership in the nonprofit sector, ideally with 5-10 years of foundation experience, to enrich the Foundation's practices.
Demonstrate proficiency as a strategic planner, adept at collaborating with teams, alongside possessing strong analytical, communication, and program/project management skills.
Operate as an authentic leader who thrives on serving others in a constructive and inclusive manner, fostering sustainable collaborative relationships.
Possess the experience and reputation as a proven community leader, enthusiastic about leveraging the region's resources to address significant challenges.
Bring a community perspective and knowledge of the nonprofit ecosystem, informed by both lived experience and professional engagement. If lacking direct experience in the greater Big Sky area, the candidate's ability to embrace and be embraced by our region must be unequivocal.
Ability to translate innovative ideas into actionable strategies, demonstrating a practical visionary approach with a focus on measurable impact, while maintaining respect for process, data and execution.
Hold a professional acumen to effectively interact with staff, Board members, philanthropists, and media representatives is essential, along with a natural ability to connect comfortably with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Have exceptional communication and influencing skills, including the ability to convey complex information in accessible ways.
Be creative in identifying untapped opportunities for partnership, collaboration, or investment, coupled with resourcefulness to capitalize on such opportunities, is valued.
Education:
A master's degree in a related field, such as public administration, sociology, or nonprofit management, is valued but not required. Completion of coursework in areas such as strategic planning, program evaluation, program management, and program design is a plus.
Qualifications:
Strong facilitation, communication, and negotiation skills, with experience in bringing together diverse stakeholders and managing group dynamics.
Excellent writing and grammar skills, along with general communication abilities, both written and verbal, are required.
Experience leading staff with a high level of emotional intelligence.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
A proactive and solution-oriented mindset, coupled with creativity and resourcefulness in seeking or developing solutions.
Proficiency in strong project and time management skills is necessary, demonstrating the ability to manage multiple workstreams with ease and effectiveness.
Experience in philanthropy is required, and additional experience in nonprofits is valued.
Salary & Location:
This position requires individuals to live and work in Big Sky, MT. Housing may be secured by the employer if desired.
The annual salary ranges from $125k to $175k, with generous benefit package.