Program Officer, Education

Description

Houston Endowment Inc. (the “Foundation”) is an organization known for its dynamic culture and team of talented individuals who are deeply committed to the Foundation’s mission of a vibrant region where all have the opportunity to thrive. We seek an experienced and collaborative professional to join our team as an Education Program Officer to help advance the Foundation’s postsecondary education strategy.

The Program Officer will be a relationship-driven leader with strong project management skills and a demonstrated ability to achieve results through data-informed strategy and partnerships. They will manage a portfolio of grants and cross-sector initiatives aimed at improving postsecondary outcomes for Greater Houston. Working closely with institutions, nonprofits, workforce partners, and other stakeholders, the Program Officer will strengthen student support, improve transition and completion outcomes, and expand access to credentials of value, ultimately contributing to greater economic mobility across the Houston region.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy, Grantmaking, and Program Management

• Manage a portfolio of postsecondary success grants, leading the full grant cycle, from early exploration and due diligence through monitoring and closeout, in partnership with the Program Director.
• Conduct due diligence on potential grantees, including interviews, strategy alignment, and analysis of programmatic and financial information.
• Monitor grantee performance; identify barriers to progress, surface actionable insights, and support partners in developing solutions and continuous improvement practices.
• Collaborate with local and national philanthropic funders to align strategies, share learning, and identify opportunities for joint or complementary investments.
• Prepare high-quality analyses, memos, presentations, and other materials for Foundation leadership and Board review.
  
  

Partnership and Influence

• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, workforce partners, and other postsecondary stakeholders across Greater Houston and Texas.
• Monitor state and federal policy developments in postsecondary education and workforce alignment, identify strategic opportunities and risks based on emerging research and partner feedback, and support partners in understanding and leveraging those opportunities.
• Represent the Foundation at local, state, and national convenings and participate in cross-sector partnerships that advance postsecondary attainment and outcomes.
• Collaborate across Program teams to share insights, align grantmaking strategies, and identify intersections across portfolios.
  
  

Knowledge and Learning

• Stay informed about best practices, innovations, and policy trends related to postsecondary success, including advising, transfer, student support, and workforce alignment.
• Synthesize and share insights with colleagues and partners to inform strategy refinement and strengthen collaboration.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Philanthropy or grantmaking
• Non-profit or public-sector program management
• Postsecondary success, college access, advising, or student-support initiatives
• Workforce development, economic mobility, or related systems-level work
• Education-related consulting, particularly involving strategy, implementation support, or improvement efforts across institutions or systems
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects, manage multiple priorities, and drive results in partnership with diverse organizations.
• Strong relationship management skills, including the ability to build trust, influence without authority, and navigate challenging conversations.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable recommendations that inform strategy and program decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of the Greater Houston educational ecosystem, including key institutions, partners, and regional dynamics influencing postsecondary outcomes.
• Commitment to expanding opportunity and improving educational attainment across Greater Houston.
  
  

VALUES

We believe it is both an honor and a great responsibility to work for Houston Endowment, so we are committed to our values and seek colleagues who share our commitment.

• High Performing: We bring our best every day so we:
• Hold high standards and drive for excellence
• Challenge ourselves and show determination in pursuit of our collective goals
• Pursue continuous improvement, even when we have achieved our intended outcomes
• Stay curious to do our best work
• Courageous: We know bold action matters so we:
• Hold an audacious vision for what we can accomplish together
• Work proactively, take risks, and make difficult choices when necessary
• Choose optimism, show resilience, and stay engaged in challenging situations
• Committed: We care deeply about the organization so we:
• Prioritize and commit to the mission of the organization
• Seek and act on feedback on our work, and devote energy to our own development to be at the top of our field
• Gather diverse perspectives and expertise in service of better results
• Connected: We care deeply about each other so we:
• Build relationships with one another to create a highly effective team
• Start with trust, assume others have good intentions, and practice generosity of spirit
• Address issues directly to resolve conflict or misunderstanding
• Embrace inclusion and adapt as appropriate when partnering with others
  

Compensation

Salary will be set in accordance with the successful candidate’s experience. In addition to salary, the candidate will be eligible for the Foundation’s comprehensive employee benefits programs, including health, dental, and vision plans, time off, life insurance, short- and long-term disability as well as matching 401(k) and pension retirement plans.