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 like traditional American values, capitalism, free markets, and personal responsibility are obsolete, this job may not be 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 family. You will work alongside a dedicated team that is passionate about helping people help themselves. The most difficult part of the job is keeping up with the fast-paced nature of the office and finding a balance between your head (logic) and your heart (emotion).
Ideally, the Program Officer will be based in the Foundation’s Denver office. However, exceptionally strong candidates who need to work virtually from another location will be considered. A remote employee would travel regularly (approximately twice per month for the first six months and then once per month) to the Denver office, in addition to other required travel.
The Adolph Coors Foundation is most interested in finding a long-term team member. As such, the Foundation is willing to tailor the exact duties and responsibilities of this role for the right candidate. If you are intrigued by what you’re reading and passionate about the Foundation’s mission but don’t necessarily check off every box, we’d still like to hear from you.
The Program Officer will report to the Executive Director and work closely with all members of the staff and, when required, the Board of Trustees.
Responsibilities
If you join us, others will recognize you as a direct extension of the Coors family from your first day at work. This is your most significant responsibility.
In addition, the Trustees of the Foundation would rely on you to…
Research/Evaluate
- Conduct on-site visits with nonprofit leaders. (Approximate travel: 15%.)
- 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 and/or oral report 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.
- Oversee ACF’s social media platforms and content; maintain and update website content.
Provide Entrepreneurial Ideas
- Develop and present your own entrepreneurial ideas – consistent with the Foundation’s mission – that nonprofit organizations could implement with financial backing from the Foundation.
Lead
- Take the lead on a variety of projects including, but not limited to, conceptualizing, planning, organizing, and managing special events, conferences and/or collateral.
- Have the skill to inspire others to follow your leadership, while at the same time having the ability to delegate and empower.
The Right Fit
If you are a fit, you can communicate, 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. As a small office, you are willing to jump in and help with any task.
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 constantly seek 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 do not gossip.
Attributes
The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:
- 7+ 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
- Fluency 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
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 strive to provide generous health benefits, life insurance, an attractive package of paid time off (PTO), professional development opportunities, and generous annual contributions by the Foundation to your 401k plan.
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; if you desire to work virtually, please explain that in the cover letter. 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 Executive Director and/or Adolph Coors Foundation staff.
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
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.
