Senior Program Officer, School-Age Children

About Robin Hood Founded in 1988, Robin Hood finds, fuels, and creates impactful solutions lifting families out of poverty in New York City. As the city's largest poverty-fighting organization, Robin Hood partners with top nonprofits and invests in legal services, housing, meals, workforce development, education, and other vital services. Because its Board of Directors covers 100% of all administrative, fundraising, and evaluation costs, every dollar donated goes directly to helping New Yorkers in need.

Robin Hood's pioneering, metrics-based approach has become a national gold standard. Building on 30+ years of experience, we are focused on lifting families sustainably out of poverty by supporting the most effective community partners, influencing public policy, and building strategic collaborations. We partner closely with NYC and NYS government to fund program and policy innovations that expand economic opportunity at scale.

Reporting Relationship The Senior Program Officer, School-Age Children sits on the Program & Impact team and reports to the Managing Director, School-Age Children.

Position Overview The Senior Program Officer will lead a portfolio spanning postsecondary pathways and high school redesign, including dual enrollment, college access and persistence, career-connected learning, and Robin Hood's engagement with New York State's Portrait of a Graduate transition. Additional responsibilities include charter school grants, progress monitoring, and the development of donor-ready, system-level investment ideas.

This role calls for a proactive strategic thinker who translates insight into action, a strong researcher and writer, and a relationship-builder who engages community partners with trust and integrity.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Leadership and Grantmaking

Manage a portfolio of grants, monitoring performance through outcomes data, site visits, and financial reports.
Build relationships of trust with nonprofit leaders to support them in delivering on their mission.
Develop clear grant write-ups and present funding recommendations to Robin Hood's Board Committee.
Co-create annual contract goals with community partners aligned to Robin Hood's mobility milestones.
Lead transparent conversations with grantees around performance, course corrections, and transitions.
Apply fiscal analysis to diagnose financial challenges and forecast risk.

Strategy Development and Execution

Translate field insights into documented strategies with clear goals, milestones, and timelines.
Contribute to school-age portfolio strategy, particularly around postsecondary pathways, tied to a compelling theory of change.
Apply benefit-cost analysis to grant recommendations and contribute to Robin Hood's approach to measuring college access outcomes.
Support progress monitoring to understand larger portfolio impact.

Sourcing and Pipeline Development

Proactively build relationships with organizations, researchers, and peer funders.
Maintain a documented pipeline of prospective investments aligned to school-age priorities.
Identify emerging models and research in postsecondary pathways; conduct structured diligence on scaling-ready models.

External Engagement and Field Leadership

Represent Robin Hood with NYCPS, NYSED, CUNY, SUNY, peer foundations, and sector coalitions.
Participate in sector convenings and bring back insights that sharpen team strategy.
Over time, develop a recognizable voice in the field on postsecondary pathways and economic mobility.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Development, Marketing, and Engagement on donor engagement and funder reporting.
Coordinate with Robin Hood's Policy team, Learning and Technology Fund, and other program teams.
Contribute to organizational priorities, including AI-enabled workflows in grantmaking.

Qualifications

Required

7+ years of relevant experience in education, government, public policy, nonprofit management, philanthropy, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to translate strategic thinking into documented plans with follow-through.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
Working knowledge of nonprofit operations, financial analysis, and benefit-cost principles.
Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication skills, including strategy memos and presentations for senior audiences.
Track record of building trusting relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Genuine commitment to equity and improving economic mobility for low-income New Yorkers.

Preferred

Experience in postsecondary pathways, dual enrollment, college access and persistence, or career-connected learning.
Fluency with the NYC education landscape, including NYCPS, CUNY, SUNY, and the charter sector.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Robin Hood is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation in all aspects of its work. We believe that building a diverse team is fundamental to effectively serving vulnerable communities and influencing the policies that affect them. We seek to attract and retain staff that reflects the communities we serve, and we foster a culture of belonging, innovation, and professional growth.

Salary and Benefits Salary range: $123,000–$135,000, based on experience and skills. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; a 403(b) with employer match; a 12% employer contribution to a 401(a); and 20 days of accrued PTO. This is a hybrid role based in NYC, with three required in-office days per week (Tuesday–Thursday).

Robin Hood is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from diverse backgrounds and identities are encouraged to apply.

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Senior Program Officer, School-Age Children

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