Program Associate

Program Associate - GKFF BEST

DESCRIPTION

Background

The Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST), an initiative of George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), is an organization dedicated to providing an equal opportunity for young children in Tulsa through investments in early childhood education, community health, social services and civic enhancement. GKFF-BEST is currently seeking three (3) mission-driven and experienced Program Associates.

Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST)

The Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST) acts early, when most brain development happens. We envision a Tulsa where all communities are given the same opportunities to thrive, and children are set up for successful life outcomes beginning at birth.

Nationally distinctive in its size, scope, and depth of partner engagement, BEST takes a comprehensive and integrated approach that knits together programs and services to create a seamless continuum of support for children and families. BEST is a network of more than 80 public and non-profit agencies that are delivering health, education, criminal justice and social services to children and families in Tulsa. The 14-member GKFF-BEST team collaborates closely with fellow team members, others at GKFF and BEST partners to advance the goals of BEST with financial resources, coordination and convening.

As part of Place Matters, BEST contributes to and learns from a national effort to improve economic and social mobility in communities across the country. You can learn more about BEST through this website.

Role Overview

As part of the collaborative GKFF-BEST team, Program Associates play a key role in supporting Leadership Team members in managing relationships with a group of partners by preparing meeting materials, drafting communications to individual partners, and assisting with materials needed to manage partner grants. Program Associates may also assist Leadership Team members in preparing for, taking thorough notes during, and following up after internal and external meetings and trainings; summarizing program- and partner-specific data and research; and building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships with partners. Program Associates help the BEST team set up and manage partnerships with organizations doing exciting and critical work with Tulsa’s children and families. The role offers exposure to a range of issues and involvement in a bold initiative to help children and families thrive.

Three Open Positions

One Program Associate will report to the Director of ConnectFirst and will primarily focus on supports for health and financial mobility partners. The second Program Associate reporting to the BEST Managing Director and the third Program Associate reporting to the Director of Research Partnerships—who also oversees work strengthening education partners—will support partners in multiple areas of BEST, including education, social services, criminal justice, community mobilization/outreach and shared leadership.

Hours and Location

This is a newly created, full-time, benefits-eligible position for BEST. Relocation assistance and a hybrid schedule are possible. Anticipated start date is late Fall 2022; flexible timing may be possible for the right candidate. This role is based out of BEST main offices in Tulsa, OK; the GKFF-BEST team works in-person at BEST offices and sometimes off-site in the community. To work in person, all team members must follow GKFF-BEST COVID safety precautions.

Please note

Due to the necessary public health precautions put in place as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, to work in person and attend in-person meetings, all team members must follow George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) COVID safety precautions, which currently includes being fully vaccinated. The vaccine requirement is subject to reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act exceptions.

Job Description

Support for Leadership Team on Partner Relationship Management (45%)

• Prepare for meetings by drafting agendas, pre-work and emails for meeting attendees.
• Take and organize detailed notes, share important ideas, ask thoughtful questions and capture key takeaways and next steps for partner meetings.
• Follow up from meetings by drafting communications and entering notes in Salesforce.
• Conduct, analyze, summarize and present research/review of information as part of preparation and follow-up from partner meetings, based on partner and BEST strategic priorities.
• Assist with preparing materials needed to manage meetings, reporting and grants.
• Coordinate with internal and external schedulers; providing additional scheduling support where needed.
• Use Salesforce, Google Workspace, and other platforms (Smartsheets, MS Office, Outlook) to create and update partner contacts; pull and summarize reports; prepare slides; and support the creation of materials for board meetings, external presentations and other meetings and events.

Other Supports for Leadership Team, as needed (30%)

• Provide assistance for special projects, including editing, formatting and finalizing materials; researching and planning events; coordinating outreach to stakeholders; and more.
• Draft agendas, pre-work, emails, notes, and follow-up messages for key stakeholders.
• Conduct other follow-up (e.g., researching, working on action items, preparing for future meetings, filling in stakeholders who missed the meeting) as needed.
• Utilize communications systems that support BEST’s work including Salesforce integration, ongoing contact management, partner resource libraries, etc.

Project Management Support for Leadership Team members (15%)

• Develop work plans, incorporating key touchpoints with partners, and managing up to ensure Leadership Team members and partners move work forward while balancing competing priorities.
• Support coordination with BEST partners around specific projects.

Team-wide Responsibilities (10%)

• Participate in 1) GKFF and BEST team activities to support team learning and development, including BEST team meetings and DEI trainings and 2) other activities to learn more about BEST partners.
• Receive coaching and professional development from your manager and other BEST team members.
• Contribute to BEST projects in other ways, as assigned.

Competencies

GKFF-BEST encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those with diverse professional experience, to apply for this role. Based on research, we know that women and people from underrepresented groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Since no single candidate will ever meet every requirement in the exact ways listed, we encourage applicants to apply if they feel that their professional experience aligns closely to the job description above and their application reflects most of the qualifications below.

Education and Experience

• Education/Bachelor’s degree focused on early childhood, human services, community organizing, community engagement or a related field preferred
• At least two years of professional experience with project management; program development, support and/or execution with internal and external stakeholders; and/or relevant community work/internships

Proficiencies and Personal Characteristics

• A fast learner who can analyze and summarize key information and who applies a diversity, equity and inclusion lens to all aspects of the work
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a variety of audiences, with ability to review documents for proofreading, clarity and formatting
• Ability to work independently in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, Adobe Pro, and other platforms and with Salesforce or similar Client Relationship Manager (CRM) preferred; Ability to operate autonomously and with a solutions-oriented, strengths-based approach
• Strong organizational, time management, project management and problem-solving skills, with ability to balance competing priorities and deliverables; strong project coordination and meeting preparation skills, accounting for interdependencies, resulting in timely and accurate delivery
• Timely and efficient turnaround of clear, concise notes and documents and response to communications
• Commitment to tackling ambitious initiatives to expand opportunities for children and families
• Commitment to trust, confidentiality and personal and professional growth

BENEFITS

Paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401K

EOE STATEMENT

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other basis made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws or regulations. We are an e-verify employer.

If you have a difficulty applying for any job posted on this website because a disability prevents you from using the online system, we offer the following alternate application procedure: Contact Human Resources at 918-494-8823, and we will arrange for an alternate method of applying and will consider your application together with all other applications received for the job. Please call only for such application assistance.

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