Overview

The mission of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (“UMEZ”) is to sustain the economic revitalization of all communities in Upper Manhattan through job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance. UMEZ facilitates economic development in the neighborhoods of Central, West, and East Harlem; Washington Heights; and Inwood.

 The underlying objective for UMEZ cultural investments is to spur economic vitality. Working with finite resources, the Cultural Investment Fund (CIF) provides grants and other programs to support long-term growth of organizational capacity. In addition, CIF funds the UMEZ Arts Engagement program for artists, collectives, and small- to mid-size organizations, which is administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

 Job Title: Program Officer, Cultural Investments

Reports to:  Senior Vice President, Cultural Investments  

Summary: The Program Officer manages a portfolio of investments and is responsible for all aspects of development, implementation, and evaluation of those grants. The Program Officer presents information on each investment to the CIF Committee and funding partner staff and serves as the primary contact with grantees. The Program Officer liaises with the broader funding community and contributes to the discussion of CIF goals and strategies.

 Duties and responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to, the following (other duties may be assigned).

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Manage a portfolio of investments from initial inquiry to conclusion of grant, serving as primary liaison with grantees throughout.
  • Conduct research and due diligence on potential grantees.
  • Review and evaluate funding proposals, including a review of audited financial statements, and prepare internal assessments and financial presentations.
  • Compose investment memoranda, historical financials, project budget, and other grant-related documents for governance review; update documents as required.
  • Present project proposals to the Cultural Investments Fund Committee and funding partner staff.
  • Develop and negotiate grant scope, detailed budget, and schedule of deliverables and benchmarks for grant agreements.
  • Monitor approved grants through review of narrative and financial reports, personal communication and site visits; review and prepare grant modifications as needed.
  • Organize and execute professional development seminars for grantees as needed.
  • Represent UMEZ to the public and at professional conferences, meetings, workshops, and other external events as needed.
  • Work with senior leadership and CIF staff to assess and refine UMEZ’s grant-making goals, priorities, strategies, and practices.

 BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

  • Five years prior experience in nonprofit arts management, economic/community development, grant making, or similar experience.
  • Demonstrated program development and analytical skills.
  • Knowledgeable about arts philanthropy field trends and promising practices.
  • Strong financial analysis skills, with an understanding of audited financial statements and IRS 990 Forms.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written).
  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and grant database management (Submittable).
  • Community residence and/or familiarity with Upper Manhattan cultural community desired.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • An energetic and resourceful person with a strong interest in community engagement.
  • A self-starter; a team player; a strategic thinker; a creative problem solver.

 

EDUCATION                                Undergraduate degree required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES   This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Interested applicants should send a one-page cover letter of interest along with a resume . Please include salary requirements in your cover letter of interest. The subject line should have the applicant’s name and the job title for which the applicant is applying.

Due to a large number of applicants, only selected candidates will be contacted. Please no calls or inquiries.

 Note: Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic, some work may be organized remotely on a temporary basis. This is not a remote-work position.

 

 

Apply for job