Program Officer

Greater Rochester Health Foundation is seeking a Program Officer to co-lead the development and execution of our Racial Health Equity work. Guided by community voice, this role partners with organizations and residents to address inequities in mental health and violence prevention, and to co-create pathways to health equity. The Program Officer manages grants and grantee relationships, supports strategy design and implementation, and represents the Foundation at community and professional events. Ideal candidates bring experience in health equity, community collaboration, and systems change to advance a healthier, more equitable region.

At the Health Foundation, we offer our employees a family-friendly and ethical work environment and follow a hybrid work model where all staff work both in-the-office and remotely, promoting flexibility and collaboration. Our competitive pay and benefits package includes majority employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance, generous (up to 10%) employer match on 401k contributions, paid holidays, personal time, and time off to volunteer.

Estimated salary range: $78,400 – $98,000 per year

Responsibilities

What are the key responsibilities? This position reports to the Senior Program Officer and involves a variety of responsibilities which may include, but are not limited to:

• Participates with management and key stakeholders across disciplines in the development, execution and modification of programmatic strategies related to Health Foundation grant making.
• Executes program related functions including engaging with community/providers, development and execution of Requests for Proposal, review and selection of proposals, and development and presentation of board materials.
• Prepares and presents written grant proposal summaries and provides recommendations to senior staff and the Board of Directors.
• Pursues opportunities to further programmatic efforts through a variety of methods other than grantmaking, e.g. convening, technical assistance, keeping current on emerging practices, maintaining contact with social and professional communities, and participation in relevant local, state, national tables, workgroups, and conferences.
• Documents and manages grants and proposals using the Foundation’s grant management system.
• Responsible for considering stakeholders’ diverse needs and perspectives, promoting fair and just practices, contributing to a workplace culture that values and respects diversity; demonstrating and ensuring all actions and decisions reflect our commitment to equity and mutual respect both internally and externally.

Additional Responsibilities

• Contributes to building an organizational culture, fostering individual leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Represents the Foundation externally through speaking and writing opportunities, including at meetings and conferences, sharing knowledge and lessons learned with the philanthropic community and other stakeholders.
• Convenes and collaborates with other funders, grantees, and an array of partners to support community efforts impacting health.
• Keeps current on health issues of importance to the Foundation.
• Maintains current relationships and fosters new relationships with social and professional communities to increase community collaboration.
• Participates in local, regional, and national committees and conferences.
• Accomplishes all other duties and tasks as appropriately assigned or requested.

Qualifications

What skills might a successful candidate have?

• Managing initiatives that have multiple strategies.
• Ability to form relationships, collaborate, and work with various professional stakeholders across disciplines at a local, state, and national level.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, deadlines, and policy compliance.
• Ability to acknowledge, discuss, and address equity issues impacting under-resourced communities, marginalized, and vulnerable populations.
• Group facilitation skills and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and effectively about research topics through a variety of means.
• Ability to understand program evaluation design and implementation.
• Experience working with economically and culturally diverse populations in various professional venues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated, diverse team and be comfortable in multiple, highly varied and ambiguous settings, with tight deadlines with different work and learning styles.

What education or experience is considered?

• A bachelor’s degree or higher, or equivalent work experience in health, public health, behavioral science or a related field is preferred.
• Must be able to travel locally to complete site visits and attend off-site meetings on a regular basis.

Application Process

Submit resume to HR@thegrhf.org and include “Program Officer” in the subject line. In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the following two questions in the body of the email:

1. What prompted you to send us your resume? Why are you seeking a new position?
2. How has your background/experience prepared you to be effective in an environment that is committed to health equity with a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging?

Date Posted

10/21/2025

About the Organization

Greater Rochester Health Foundation, a private, self-endowed nonprofit grantmaking organization based in Rochester, New York, is on a mission to pursue and invest in solutions that build a healthier region where all people can thrive.

We offer a family-friendly, ethical, and hybrid work environment with competitive pay, majority employer-paid health benefits, up to 10% 401(k) match, generous paid time off, and volunteer time.

Serving nine counties in the Greater Rochester region, we center equity, stewardship, partnership, innovation, and integrity. Guided by community voice, we invest in local solutions and work to change systems and policies to create lasting health equity.

Contact

HR@thegrhf.org