The  Connelly Foundation is hiring a Scholarship Program Director, Program Officer for Education. Please find a copy of position description below. Interested applicants should send cover letter and resume to hr@connellyfdn.org

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:         Program Officer for Education, Scholarship Program Director                                  

Reports To:     Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Grantmaking

Position:          Exempt                                   

Hours:             Full-Time

Remote Work: Four out of five days in the office, one day per week remote work available. Travel required locally for site visits.              

The Organization                                                                 https://www.connellyfdn.org/

Inspired by its Catholic heritage, Connelly Foundation’s mission since its founding in 1955 is to improve the quality of life in the Philadelphia region by supporting charitable organizations in the areas of education, human services, culture, and civic life that strengthen resilience and help people to flourish. The work of the Foundation is principally driven by its founders’ John and Josephine Connelly’s personal charitable principles, with an emphasis on strengthening Catholic education, and providing help and opportunity to the needy. In 2022, the Foundation anticipates awarding nearly $14 million in grants across its education, human services, culture, and civic renewal portfolios.

The Connelly Foundation is committed to the goal that all families interested in a Catholic education should have access to high-quality school and ongoing support to help their children thrive academically, pursue their passion, and become productive citizens in a democracy. The Foundation pursues this goal primarily through merit-based scholarships, counseling, and enrichment for exceptional graduates of K-8 Catholic schools in the Philadelphia region.

Scholarship Program Background

Since 1995, the Connelly Foundation has been delivering two signature scholarship programs serving students attending Archdiocese of Philadelphia (AOP) high schools: Neumann Scholars (NS) and Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards (JCCA). Together, the two programs serve approximately 500 high school students in the AOP annually (approximately 5% of all AOP high school students) with a total investment of $2.4 million each year. The key elements of the scholarships are currently tuition support, counseling support, and summer enrichment. Connelly Foundation scholarship counselors provide college guidance support to the 500 NS and JCC award winners.

The key elements of the scholarship program are as follows:

Tuition Support

• By virtue of scoring on a merit-based exam and elementary academic performance, 40 eighth grade students are awarded Neumann Scholarships – 4-year full tuition scholarships to be used at any of the Archdiocesan High Schools.

• By virtue of selection by individual schools within the city of Philadelphia and eighth grade enrollment, approximately 100 eighth grade students are bestowed the Josephine C Connelly Achievement Award (JCC) annually – 4-year scholarships covering 40% of tuition at any of 17 (soon to be 15) Archdiocesan High Schools.

College Counseling Support

• Three counselors provide college guidance support to the 500 NS and JCC award winners, advising on areas such as high school course selection, summer enrichment, college application preparation, financial aid, high school readiness, and college selection.    

Summer Enrichment

• NS students are provided tuition support during the summer between junior and senior year to attend pre-college summer programs.

In 2021, the Connelly Foundation completed an evaluation of its scholarship programs. The result was a resounding affirmation of continued commitment to the scholarship program, affirming a well-designed and managed program. There is eagerness to undertake the suggested program modifications and launch expanded and enhanced programming and student support.  

Position Overview

The Scholarship Program Director, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, will coordinate and implement the Foundation scholarship program and bring innovation, best practices, and evidence-based ideas to continue program excellence, build upon the strong program foundation, and initiate new enhanced programming. Reporting to the Vice President for Grantmaking, the Program Officer portion of the role will advance strategies that promote positive trends for PreK–12 Catholic schools in the Philadelphia area, including enrollment growth; improved academic quality; strong leadership; better financial health and business practices; and solid student outcomes.

Scholarship Program Responsibilities

• Manage and execute the NS and JCC scholarship programs to include but not limited to managing scholarship counselors, delivering summer programs, executing scholarship payments, maintaining scholarship database, producing reports, overseeing events, handling administrative tasks, coordinating communication, and implementing enhancements.

• Innovate and grow the program with the focus of providing scholarship students high quality support through four years of secondary education. Develop regional student leaders of tomorrow through the scholarship program. Offer new ideas and fresh perspectives.

• Lead with enthusiasm and excited engagement with internal and external parties including students, parents, school leaders, universities, and other education partners. Be a present and visible partner with school leaders and visit schools regularly. Serve as liaison with the AOP. Promote the value of the scholarship brand and sense of community.

• Implement the recommendations of the Foundation’s 2021 scholarship evaluation.

• Supervise the work and professional development of the program’s scholarship counselors. Advise scholarship recipients in academic matters to support counselor caseload if needed.

• Maintain responsibility for all aspects of risk and liability considerations, developing a program that serves the best interests of students, families, schools, and the Foundation.

• Create and deliver annual events for scholarship students, families, and school community.

• Develop program outcomes and annual metrics to measure program effectiveness. Maintain accurate and up to date student databases and study and cyclically report on historic trends, opportunities, and performance. Implement a student information system for counselors.

• Actively review student performance, supports, and student, parent, and school satisfaction.

• Develop a mastery of scholarship program delivery and strive for high programmatic scholarship program delivery to create a national model.

Education Responsibilities

• Guided by the Foundation’s new strategic plan, identify and pursue grantmaking initiatives to invigorate Catholic education in the Philadelphia region.

• Develop and maintain education database and materials to inform grantmaking strategy.

• Lean in, contribute, and engage on the wider spectrum of education portfolio work including grantmaking review when needed.

• Contribute to three or more of the Foundation’s existing education initiatives including: Promoting Achievement through Classroom Technology (PACT); Math Matters; and the Connelly Access Program (CAP).

• Lead initiatives, research, and data collection as assigned.

Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree is a plus.

• Experience with scholarship programs, education, or related field preferred.  

• Passionate about the values, mission, and principles of the Connelly Foundation and founder and Catholic education.

• Professional, energetic demeanor with ability to be flexible and adaptable to varied tasks.

• Strong interpersonal skills; able to maintain productive interpersonal relationships.

• Exudes diplomacy, confidentiality, tact, initiative, and positive attitude. Ability to be firm yet professional and compassionate. Receives feedback well.

• Intellectual curiosity; ability to ask thoughtful and probing questions and suggest organizational and process improvements. Ability to recognize opportunities, develop ideas and transform ideas into concrete initiatives.

• Strong time management skills; highly organized and detail oriented. Ability to meet deadlines and move project forward with a high degree of independence and initiative.

• Ability to work within a team which emphasizes quality, collegiality, teamwork, and humility.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (including proofreading) and the ability to express oneself concisely and clearly, including an ease in communicating complex concepts in a clear and effective manner.

• Experience with Microsoft Office including Access, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Contact Information

If you wish to explore this position, please contact and send resume and cover letter to:

hr@connellyfdn.org

This job description is subject to change at any time.  This description reflects essential functions and management reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status.