Senior Program Officer - Local Partnerships
Hybrid · Madison, Wisconsin, United States or Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Job Summary
Senior Program Officer – Local Partnerships drives Ascendium’s local impact in the Madison and Milwaukee metro areas by shaping and executing grantmaking strategy, managing a portfolio of direct-service and community-support grants, conducting due diligence, and fostering robust relationships with nonprofit leaders and local stakeholders. The role acts as Ascendium’s local representative, building partnerships, coordinating with internal teams, and translating program outcomes into learning and storytelling that advance upward mobility for low-income learners. Responsibilities include designing local grantmaking strategy, sourcing and vetting mission-aligned opportunities, managing grant agreements, reporting, and ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, while engaging communities through events and external-facing leadership. The position requires residence within commuting distance to Madison, WI, with a hybrid schedule (office three days a week, remote two days) and occasional after-hours events; travel within the local region for community engagement is expected.
Required Qualifications
- Significant experience (7 to 10+ years) in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, or a related field
- Demonstrated responsibility for grantmaking or funding decisions
- Experience representing an organization publicly or serving in an external-facing leadership role
- Familiarity with collaborative and strategic grantmaking practices
- Strong relationship-building skills and credibility with nonprofit and community partners
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to think strategically while remaining grounded in community and learner needs
- A high degree of professionalism, diplomacy, and sensitivity to power dynamics in funder–nonprofit relationships
Desired Qualifications
- 7 to 10+ years in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, or a related field
- experience representing an organization publicly or in external-facing leadership roles
- familiarity with collaborative and strategic grantmaking practices
- strong relationship-building and credibility with nonprofit and community partners
- excellent written and verbal communication skills
- ability to think strategically while remaining grounded in community and learner needs
- professional diplomacy and discretion in navigating complex community dynamics
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