Alumbra Innovations Foundation is seeking a skilled, highly motivated, and entrepreneurial individual to join the team as a Senior Program Officer
OVERVIEW OF ALUMBRA INNOVATIONS FOUNDATION
BACKGROUND:
Alumbra Innovations Foundation (AIF) is a private foundation established by Christy Walton in 2018. AIF is the philanthropic arm of InnovationsAlumbra (Ialumbra), a family of land and marine based companies, philanthropic initiatives, and community projects, which contribute to the Vision of Planet, People, and Community Vitality. www.ialumbra.com
Ialumbra was created in 2015 as an umbrella brand for a diverse group of activities that share a common vision for the area in and around La Paz, Mexico. Ialumbra applies a range of tools, including grant-making and business initiatives, to create healthy communities and environments with a diverse economic base, while honoring and nurturing the planet. Ialumbra is committed to creating successful economic models, while restoring balance between the complimentary systems that exist in nature. To date, Ialumbra has largely been focused in several areas:
• Restoring Ocean Health through advanced Aquaculture technologies and well managed fisheries, predominantly in the Sea of Cortez
• Promoting sense of place and culture through art and elements of the natural environment
• Enhancing lives and the environment through place-based, experiential teaching/ learning, based on science and the arts
• Creating successful economic models by sustainable use of natural resources, focused predominantly in Baja
THE OPPORTUNITY:
AIF is a growing private foundation, focused on applying different tools to address the areas identified above. Currently granting between $10 - $20M annually, AIF is looking for an experienced Program Officer to support this level of grantmaking and growth into the Foundation’s future.
The Program Officer will work closely with AIF’s Founder Christy Walton, the COO of the Founder’s Family Office, and existing AIF staff to accomplish the goals of the Foundation. Reporting to the COO, this position will be responsible for overseeing and implementing the strategies of the Foundation specific to Baja. The Program Officer should have a passion for building sustainable lands, connecting the community to the land and its historical context, and strengthening the balance between social, environmental, and economic health. The position will be based on La Paz, BCS Mexico.
Key Responsibilities Include:
• Strategy Execution:
o Translate strategy into actionable tactics and activities, developing workplans and timelines and identifying resources, tools, approaches, and platforms to advance strategy
o Develop and execute strategic grants and contracts by conducting due diligence on organizations, their leadership and capacity to carry out programs; define grant terms and expectations; obtain agreement on reasonable outputs and outcomes including how they will be measured and reported; review budgets for appropriate expenditures; conduct site visits; monitor ongoing operations, review financial and narrative reports and ensure timely payments
o Ensure a positive experience for the Foundation’s Founder and Board through effective communication, anticipating needs of a project, and providing accurate, timely resolution of issues when they arise
o As needed, source and manage outside consultants: develop RFPs, solicit proposals, develop work plans, oversee contracts, and ensure high-quality deliverables
o For targeted issue areas identified by the Foundation’s Founder, Board, and team, research the outstanding need in focus geographies, refine and execute strategies and develop goals for impact
• Internal and External Collaboration:
o Identify optimal partners for support including non-profits, research institutions, government, peer investors and donors, and other business and entrepreneurs
o Work closely with the internal team, as well as other philanthropic entities within the Walton family
o Collaborate with departments across Walton Enterprises (the family office that serves multiple generations of the Walton family) to provide coordinated support to the Foundation; coordinate with other professionals in HR, Legal, etc. to work through issues and arrive at solutions
o Develop an understanding of the ecosystem, history, biases, and politics of the La Paz geography and philanthropic focus areas in which we are doing work to support community relations
• Impact Assessment:
o Discern what information will be most relevant in understanding whether an investment is driving a desired outcome and what is most important to the Foundation’s Founder and Board
o Work with the Foundation’s Founder and Board, and internal & external partners to synthesize information to understand the impact the team is providing
CANDIDATE PROFILE
You are a strategic self-starter, with the ability to tackle complex issues, identify potential philanthropic solutions, and work with others to implement plans, all in service to the foundation’s objectives. You have superior client service skills and instincts and can serve as an expert advisor and representative for the Principal in their philanthropy efforts.
This position calls on a breadth of knowledge, and specific experience working in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, and/or Latin America is more important than in depth knowledge in one content area.
Qualifications required for your success
• 7+ years of work experience that includes grantmaking work with social entrepreneurs and community development or community organizing in Mexico
• Fluent in English and Spanish – orally and written
• Ability to analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Adaptive mindset and flexible disposition
• Creative problem-solver with natural intellectual curiosity
• Willingness to learn and dive into new context areas and social change vehicles
• Strong time management and organizational skills including experience managing multiple project flows
• Experience acting as a trusted advisor to clients, colleagues, and consultants
• Knowledge of financial and accounting principles (e.g., experience navigating financial statements, an organization’s budget)
• Experience developing grant proposals, managing grants and grantees, and evaluating impact
• Experience developing and implementing sustainable economic models
Additional Helpful Experience Includes
• Experience in a consulting and/or business environment
• Grantmaking and/or foundation management
• Contract management
• Entrepreneurial or Intrapreneurial experience, taking and managing associated risks
• Knowledge of, or demonstrated interest in, the areas of environmental sustainability
Personal attributes that support your success
• Strong orientation for client service; ability to assess and meet the Foundation’s Founder and Board goals and preferences. A passion to serve in a way that demonstrates respect and care for family and staff and exceeds expectations
• Grounded, confident individual who is down-to-earth and approachable; with a high level of personal awareness of their own strengths & weaknesses and their ability to produce results
• Intellectual agility and the ability to analyze, think critically, develop strategic approaches, and understand varied areas of interest. Able to effectively synthesize information and glean key points from research as well as interactions with the Foundation’s Founder, her team, and others
• Comfortable working autonomously but also with a broader team serving the Foundation’s Founder and Board. Able to be flexible and adaptable, comfortable with uncertainty
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to the Foundation’s Founder and Board, colleagues and grantees and exhibit humility, integrity and exercise sound judgement and confidentiality
• Strong communication skills, in person, via phone, and through written communication. Skilled in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Relentless in the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement. You have a proven background of enhancing processes, systems, and platforms to increase success and operational efficiency. You give and receive feedback graciously, all with the aim of improving the experience and success of the Foundation
Alumbra Innovations Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
Basic Qualifications
• 7+ years of work experience that includes grantmaking work with social entrepreneurs and community development or community organizing in Mexico
• Fluent in English and Spanish – orally and written
• Ability to analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Adaptive mindset and flexible disposition
• Creative problem-solver with natural intellectual curiosity
• Willingness to learn and dive into new context areas and social change vehicles
• Strong time management and organizational skills including experience managing multiple project flows
• Experience acting as a trusted advisor to clients, colleagues, and consultants
• Knowledge of financial and accounting principles (e.g., experience navigating financial statements, an organization’s budget)
• Experience developing grant proposals, managing grants and grantees, and evaluating impact
• Experience developing and implementing sustainable economic models
