Getting Started
Before you read another word, please Google “Coors family.” Read every word of what you find including the wacky, conspiratorial stuff. Please also visit www.coorsfoundation.org. If names like Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and Adam Smith freak you out, or if you think terms such as traditional American values, capitalism, free markets, and personal responsibility are obsolete, this job is not a fit. Long story short, if you are hired, you will be working for a family proud of its conservative American values and a family foundation which seeks to nourish those values in the community through its charitable giving. The Foundation supports organizations which promote a limited role of government in society.
Program Officer Overview
Being a program officer is one of the best jobs in philanthropy. You will meet and evaluate a wide variety of nonprofit leaders both in Colorado and nationally while representing the Coors Foundation. This position reports to the chief operating officer (COO) yet works alongside a small and dedicated team of professionals including the CEO, other program officer(s), and support staff in carrying out the Board’s strategic vision. Because of this reliance on teamwork, candidates who view this job as a career destination rather than a pit stop along a career journey are the best fit. While all program officers must work out of the Foundation’s Denver office, occasional remote work is allowed at the discretion of the COO. Travel is required.
Responsibilities
If you join the Foundation, others will perceive you as a direct extension of the Coors family from your first day at work. This is your most significant responsibility to uphold: being a positive reflection upon the family and Foundation.
In addition, the trustees of the Foundation would rely on you to…
Research/Evaluate
- Conduct on-site visits with nonprofit leaders. (Approximate travel: 25%.)
- Critically analyze nonprofits including operations, programs, outcomes, and financials.
- Evaluate the merits of grant requests the Foundation receives from nonprofits.
- Provide a clear and concise rationale for why some requests have merit and others do not.
- Summarize information, along with a recommendation, in a written report and/or oral presentation to the trustees.
Communicate
- Transform ideas, data, and principles into compelling stories and/or visual presentations.
- Exhibit excellent strategic judgement, creativity, and know-how in utilizing a variety of communication tools and techniques.
- Assist with editing and proofreading of written documents.
- Generate program-related content for ACF’s social media platforms and website.
Provide Entrepreneurial Ideas
- In coordination with the COO and/or CEO, develop and present your own entrepreneurial and/or disruptive ideas — consistent with the Foundation’s mission — that engage nonprofits to advance the Foundation’s strategic vision.
Lead
- Manage a variety of projects including, but not limited to, conceptualizing, planning, organizing, and directing special events, conferences, and/or collateral.
The Right Fit
In short, you are a life-long learner. You communicate clearly, in writing and orally. Your writing reflects more than a string of words…it creates images. In one-on-one and group settings, you make a positive and lasting first impression. People feel good having interacted with you, even if they wanted a yes for an answer and you told them no (which happens a lot in this position). You are equally capable of leading and, when asked to do so, supporting the leadership of others. You do not whine or worry about which you are doing more. You are willing to take on tasks at a moment’s notice. Working for a small office, you are willing to jump in and help with any task, at any time. Recognizing the need to do so is an especially valued trait.
You are project-oriented and take pride in seeing your finished project, however small (a written report) or large (national conference). The idea of “ownership” resonates with you. Outperforming expectations motivates and thrills you. Your office door is always open, and you welcome the interruptions of others who wish to pick your brain. Likewise, you are comfortable seeking the guidance, wisdom, and input of your coworkers. In general, you are an optimist and love to laugh. A lot. About yourself. With and about others. You are open and transparent about your work and therefore reject gossip.
Attributes and Skill Sets
The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:
- 5+ years of work experience
- Knowledge of free market principles
- Exceptional interpersonal and written/oral communication skills
- Experience working in or with the nonprofit or philanthropic sector
- Notable project management experience; demonstrated ability to initiate and drive significant projects to completion
- Professional experience in marketing, branding, and/or social media preferred
- Broad curiosity
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and multitask in a fast-paced environment, lead projects, and effectively prioritize time and tasks to regularly produce deliverables of high quality
- High degree of personal responsibility, poise, discretion, and humility
- Exceptionally positive outlook on life; entrepreneurial spirit and mindset; results-oriented
- Comfortable with Microsoft’s suite of products; knowledge of cloud-based design platforms a plus
The Foundation strives to compensate well based on responsibilities of this position and the impact this position has on the image of the Coors family in the community and nationwide. We provide generous health benefits, life insurance, an attractive package of paid time off (PTO), professional development opportunities, and generous annual contributions to staff 401k accounts.
Next Steps
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- Resume
- Cover letter expressing your interest in this role, the mission of the Adolph Coors Foundation, and your salary requirements. Your cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your writing ability, capture us with your words, and help us understand why you are the right person for this role.
- One writing sample that exemplifies your communication ability
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link:
https://talentmarket.org/candidates/apply-for-your-dream-job/
Questions can be directed to Claire Kittle Dixon, Executive Director of Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: [email protected]
Finalists may be asked to submit additional writing samples and/or examples of your communications/social media work, authorize a thorough background check, and participate in one-on-one interviews with the COO and CEO and/or Adolph Coors Foundation staff.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity-building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise.
