Organization
Robertson Foundation
Location
Remote Position within USA
Date Posted
September 16, 2025
Job Category
The Robertson Foundation is launching a new funding initiative to spark leadership and innovation that transforms how healthcare is delivered in the United States. With an initial focus on elevating health research and empowering frontline entrepreneurs, we aim to demonstrate that better care is possible—and scalable. Early grants will serve as proof points, helping us build momentum, sharpen our strategy, and attract additional funding to areas with the greatest potential to improve health outcomes.
We’re seeking a dynamic, strategic, and intellectually curious Program Officer to help shape and drive this effort. As part of the Medical Research portfolio team, this individual will develop grantmaking strategies to improve care delivery—identifying high-impact funding opportunities, vetting promising proposals, and engaging deeply with grantees, peer funders, and cross-sector partners. The ideal candidate thrives on bold, unconventional ideas and brings sharp insight into how US care delivery can be reimagined and improved.
This role offers a unique opportunity for someone with exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and relationship-building skills to tackle urgent challenges in American healthcare. The Program Officer will report directly to the Director of the Medical Research Portfolio and collaborate closely—as part of a 3.5-person team—to develop and implement the portfolio’s strategy in care delivery and two other program areas. Effective team members must be able to operate independently, quickly develop clear and compelling communications, and be exceptionally organized and proactive in their pursuit of impact.
The Robertson Foundation has long invested in biomedical research—supporting scientists who’ve helped the US become a global leader in developing new treatments. That commitment continues. With this new initiative, we’re expanding our focus to demonstrate how philanthropic capital can catalyze consequential work across the full spectrum of health innovation—from basic biomedical research to the delivery of care in real-world settings. The Program Officer will play a key role in this evolution, helping to build a portfolio that engages with the full spectrum of research that leads to better health: from scientific discovery and developing new treatment options, to developing practical, sustainable solutions that deliver better health for US populations.
Primary Responsibilities
The Program Officer will build out the portfolio’s vision for improving care delivery—developing and executing on its plans, measuring impact, and leveraging an initial contribution of $10M over 3 years into a high-impact portfolio of grants, partnerships, and thought leadership. In addition, the Program Officer will provide programmatic support and thought partnership across the portfolio’s other two areas of grantmaking (led by other team members).
- Strategy & Grantmaking – Develop and implement the Foundation’s strategy for improving care delivery in close collaboration with the Director and Board. Vet and recommend funding opportunities. Areas currently under exploration include, but are not limited to:
- Venture philanthropy: Back frontline entrepreneurs developing innovative care models for populations underserved by traditional capital markets.
- Implementation research: Elevate and expand support for research that tests new care models in real-world settings.
- Communications: Strengthen the visibility and impact of promising innovations in care delivery, especially those improving outcomes in underserved communities.
- Partnerships & Field Building – Build and deepen relationships with aligned funders, grantees, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. Use the Foundation’s capital and convening power to amplify promising work and push philanthropy to deploy its full range of tools to drive change. Build productive and supportive relationships with the Foundation’s grantees to inform and improve our impact.
- Impact, Learning, and Board Engagement – Develop tools and processes to evaluate and communicate the impact of funded projects. Contribute to ongoing learning and strategy refinement across the entire Medical Research portfolio (Biomedical research and Care delivery). Prepare and present materials for board meetings, including for audiences without scientific or medical backgrounds. Support the Director in fielding ad hoc requests from Board members. Organize Board learning sessions.
- External Engagement – Represent the foundation in external meetings, conferences, and collaborative initiatives. Stay current on emerging trends in medical research, health systems, and care delivery innovation—and bring fresh insights to the Foundation’s work.
Qualifications
- Expertise in health systems, care delivery, or related research, with a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities of implementing and scaling innovations in US care delivery.
- Experience in philanthropy, consulting, venture capital, health innovation, or research, ideally with a track record of leading high-risk, high-reward initiatives.
- Strategic thinker and doer with the ability to design and execute funding strategies, assess impact, and adapt approaches based on learning and feedback.
- Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to translate complex ideas for diverse audiences and represent the Foundation in high-level external engagements.
- Mission-driven and entrepreneurial mindset, with a willingness to work across disciplines and sectors to build partnerships and drive change.
- Commitment to equity and inclusion, with insight into how care delivery innovations can better serve underserved populations.
- A graduate degree (e.g., MPH, MD, PhD, MBA) is preferred but not required. We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds who bring curiosity, energy, and a deep commitment to improving health outcomes.
Additional Information
Work Location & Travel
Remote options are available for those not located near the Foundation’s offices in New York City. However, in-person attendance at Board meetings and All Staff gatherings, as well as other business-related travel, is required.
Work Authorization
All candidates must possess permanent work authorization in the United States to be considered.
Compensation
Salary for this position is competitive ($140K – $165K) and depends on prior experience. Compensation includes a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401k, professional development, and more).
Application Process
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We are seeking to fill this position ASAP, and candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Please submit your resume and a one-page cover letter directly online.
Application Process
Date Posted
09/15/2025
Closing Date
09/26/2025
About the Organization
The Foundation grants approximately $100 million annually to empower extraordinary organizations and individuals to seek transformative breakthroughs across three portfolios: Education, Environment, and Medical Research.
We believe human capital is our greatest lever for change. To support individuals and teams transforming how we power our economies, educate our children, feed our families, and advance life-saving discoveries, we aim to combine deep inquiry and intentional action. We identify tipping points and focus on understanding the complexities, contexts, and root causes of the challenges. We learn from and support the intelligence and expertise of those most proximate to the issues. And we commit to backing our partners with ample support for the long term as they seek breakthroughs.
In education, we support transformational change in reading and writing in pre-K through grade 8 and the future of the teaching profession. In environment, we support visionary leaders and organizations that drive transformational change in global energy and food systems. And in medical research, we support those who investigate the causes of health and disease, transform discoveries into diagnostics and treatments, and promote the delivery of effective care in the United States.