Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change, AV is working to improve the lives of American families, strengthen their communities, and promote their economic opportunity. Since Laura and John Arnold launched their foundation in 2008, the philanthropy has expanded, and AV’s focus areas include education, criminal justice, health, infrastructure, and public finance, advocating for bipartisan policy reforms that will lead to lasting, scalable change. The Arnolds became signatories of the Giving Pledge in 2010.
Position Overview
AV believes that all people in the US who want to use contraception should be able to access and afford the method best for them. To remove barriers to this essential care, we fund policy research, design, advocacy and implementation. Our approach is pragmatic, nonpartisan and focused on advancing evidence-driven, scalable, and sustainable policy solutions poised for near-term impact.
We are seeking a manager to participate in the development and execution of AV’s strategy to advance contraceptive choice and access (CCA). The Manager will also serve as a liaison from the CCA programmatic team to grantees and internal teams including grants, legal, and finance. This individual will also support the team’s strategy and policy work through research and analysis. The Manager will collaborate closely with the team on substantive, policy-oriented projects; gain experience developing philanthropic strategies and managing high-impact philanthropic projects; and learn to advance evidence-based policy recommendations for CCA issues federally and in states. The role will be based in our Houston office and report to the Vice President of Contraceptive Choice & Access.
Core Responsibilities
• Partner with the Vice President and Director to develop, refine and execute portfolio strategy
• Analyze and synthesize relevant developments in the field (policy, politics, innovation) and generate insights to inform strategy and project development
• Collaborate with colleagues and grantees to identify, conduct due diligence on, and develop proposals for charitable grants and investments to recommend to AV’s Board; oversee and track progress of pipeline and existing investments and grants
• Provide thought partnership to prospective grantees on proposals by advising on the design and structure of projects as well as deliverables and performance metrics
• Develop and edit Board meeting materials (strategy memos, proposal recommendations, presentation decks)
• Manage grants, contracts, and other investments; track progress and impact; and draw lessons from these activities to inform strategic priorities and the development of future investments
• Work with other teams at AV to identify and manage shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration
• Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders, experts, and new and existing grantees
• Collaborate with the Communications team to develop materials that elevate grantee achievements, products, research, policy developments, and innovative approaches
The salary range for this position will be $100,000-$130,000.
Benefits Overview
AV is committed to providing a robust and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our current benefits package includes 100% paid employee premiums for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance; 20 days of paid time off, 16 paid holidays (including a winter break from December 24 to January 1), a hybrid policy that includes four days in office and one flexible day for remote work, and a summer schedule with alternating Fridays off beginning on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day; paid parental leave; a 401k retirement savings plan with an employer match, profit-share contribution, and immediate vesting; pre-tax transit benefits; a professional development stipend; a charitable giving stipend; and an employee assistance program. In addition, a relocation bonus is available for candidates who will move to one of AV’s three office locations for a position.
Our Culture and Core Values
Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help AV achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of AV’s work culture.
• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback
• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals
AV’s values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the AV team to make a difference.
• Respect for Ourselves & Others
• Audacious Action
• Collaborative Engagement
• Depth of Thought
• Clear Communication
AV is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive workplace. We are seeking applicants from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences and perspectives. Candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in public policy, public health, or other related fields; or equivalent experience
• 4-6 years of relevant work experience with a focus on sexual and reproductive health, preferably in positions involving policy, advocacy, research, and project management responsibilities
• Experience with policymaking systems and processes, including the federal, state, and local policies that govern contraceptive choice and access
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to absorb, analyze, and convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner verbally and in writing
• Strong ability to analyze policy, research, and related data and information for strategic insights
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills
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