Program Officer

Full time / $80,000 annually / Asian Cultural Council / New York, NY

Position Summary:
The Program Officer will be responsible for shaping and managing program strategies, activities, and grantmaking in alignment with the Asian Cultural Council’s vision and goals. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Program Officer will design and develop application guidelines and selection processes in collaboration with the affiliate offices in Asia to ensure that all efforts address ACC’s mission and regional programmatic priorities.

With members of the Programs Department, the Program Officer will help manage grant records, budgets, payments, and reports, and will oversee compliance throughout the grants administration process. They will actively develop partnerships and external networks with leaders in the arts and cultural sector to maintain and support ACC grantee and alumni relations across the 4 affiliate offices in Hong Kong, Manila, Taipei, and Tokyo.

Position Duties and Responsibilities
Grantmaking:
• Design, plan, and implement ACC grant programs and strategy to advance the mission and maximize program impact.
• Manage the annual grantmaking and fellowship award process and recommend improvements as needed.
• Responsibilities include:
o identifying and driving the desired impact of ACC grants to meet overall ACC mission and objectives.
o designing grant application guidelines.
o outreach to creative communities in NYC and beyond to connect ACC Fellows and to create a network of collaborators and partners.
o developing equitable selection criteria for panelists.
o conducting feasibility due diligence of select grant proposals.
o reviewing grant applications for eligibility criteria and requirements.
o convening and organizing panel selection process for each grant cycle.
o preparing reports for Board meetings, Board committee meetings, and other needs.
• Establish grantmaking processes and workflows in coordination with other ACC departments and 4 affiliate offices.
• Manage grantmaking budgets and monitor for effective use of grant funds.
• Prepare and/or draft docket materials that summarize grant recommendations and budgets for consideration by the Director of Programs, Executive Director, and Board of Trustees.
• Partner with the Grants Administrator to maintain the grants management system (Akoya Go), process and track grant progress, and provide timely reports.
• Develop program matrix. Analyze data and adjust grant program/portfolio as appropriate.

Grantee/Alumni Relationships and Partnerships:
• Serve as the primary point of contact for grantees.
• Effectively manage grantee relationships in collaboration with 4 affiliate offices. (currently approximately 40 grantees per year across 5 ACC offices). Serve as an internal and external point of contact for grant-related matters.
• Organize local programs for 10-12 New York-based grantees to provide ACC Fellowship program services. Program services provide grantees access and connections to institutions, alumni, and others in their respective fields to help maximize their grant experiences.
• Build and foster relationships with peer organizations for potential collaboration opportunities and act as a connector between grantees and partners.
• Work with the Grants Administrator to supply grantees’ J-1 visas, health insurance, and travel-related needs as required and necessary.
• Organize programs and events to continuously engage with current grantees and ACC alumni.

Other Responsibilities:
• Work with the Development Department on fundraising initiatives.
• Work with the Marketing and Communications Department in its efforts to publicize annual awardees’, grantees’ work, and to share and publicize ACC-impact stories.
• Outreach to new communities and work with the Marketing and Communications Department to increase the visibility of ACC grant programs.
• Work closely with the Grants Administrator to ensure effective and timely grants administration.
• Special projects and administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Programs.
• Occasional evening and weekend attendance required for grantee/alumni activities.

Expectations of All ACC Positions:
• Commitment to ACC’s Mission and Vision. Commitment to the ACC’s short- and long-term goals; demonstrate understanding of and dedication to ACC’s mission of fostering international dialogue through cultural exchange; be mindful that program goals should drive work priorities and plans; value the work of ACC grantees and be a resource for grantees and alumni in Asia and the U.S.
• Prudent Use of Resources and Accountability. Be mindful of resource limitations and manage resources to effectively carry out ACC’s mission in a fiscally responsible manner, while striving to maximize the funds available for charitable activity; recognize the importance of development activities to the organization’s long-term sustainability and contribute to a culture of fundraising across all departments.
• Teamwork and Professionalism. Appreciate the value of diversity, inclusion, and equity in all work relationships; be willing to help as well as learn from co-workers in the U.S. and Asia, regardless of job title or seniority; work collaboratively with colleagues toward shared goals and objectives; be willing to perform tasks outside of one’s job description; embrace a positive and collaborative spirit that motivates and inspires others to work for the good of the organization. Embrace and foster continued sharing of information among colleagues.
• Adaptability. Seek out opportunities to improve the quality and impact of ACC’s work; remain open to new ideas and ways of working and innovations in the field; support diverse ways of thinking or doing and suggest new approaches in accordance with a dynamic organization that is faithful to its mission; be open to change and new ideas for improving outcomes.

Requirements

Skills and Abilities:
• Proven experience with and knowledge of a variety of grantmaking approaches.
• Experience with strategic planning/process optimization.
• Experience with managing data for the grantmaking system (e.g., Akoya Go), and analyzing and interpreting data to improve the effectiveness of grant programs.
• Comfort working with data, budgets, and other quantitative information.
• Skills in building relationships with diverse constituencies and including different voices in programming.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, strong oral presentation/storytelling skills.
• Openness to and aptitude for learning new technologies.
• Curiosity about a variety of arts disciplines and willingness to connect and engage in a personable way with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment to solve complex and interesting challenges.

Education, Experience, and Knowledge:
• Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of grantmaking experience.
• Experience in the arts and cultural field or with international organizations is a plus, but not necessary.
• Knowledge of Asia is helpful, but not necessary.

Application Instructions

The Asian Cultural Council is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications from candidates regardless of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion. We offer a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and a generous benefits package. The annual salary for this role is $80,000 USD.

ACC’s New York staff is currently working on a hybrid schedule with a minimum of 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. This is subject to change, most likely increasing in the future.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to opportunities@accny.org. Please include “Program Officer” in the subject line. No telephone or fax inquiries please. The application deadline is August 11, 2023.