Program Manager – Narrative and Culture Change At Open Society Foundations

Program Manager – Narrative and Culture Change

Competitive salary + excellent benefits

New York or Washington, D.C.

Do you want to help make the world a better place with your understanding of how the interplay of narrative advocacy is pivotal to building momentum, fostering public support, winning campaigns and shaping long-term open society values? We’re seeking a Program Manger based in New York or Washington D.C. who will be undertaking and developing, in collaboration with the Director, a dynamic range of strategic interventions (grant making, programming, potential investments and advocacy) to foster long-term and immediate efforts that work towards building and protecting an inclusive multiracial democracy.

The Open Society Foundations works to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.

The Narrative and Culture Change Program is dedicated towards winning the battle of narratives, ideas and expressions in the public sphere in order to stimulate understanding, foster engagement with broad audiences, and establish new cultural norms to inspire attitudes and values to promote an inclusive multiracial democracy. Through strategic grant making, programmatic initiative and explorative investments the Narrative and Culture Change Program will focus on the areas of racial justice (belonging), democracy and the economy to scale long-term social justice impact by working with movement leaders, creatives, advocacy organizations narrative strategists and thought leaders to advance open society values. The program will collaborate with internal OS-US efforts and the broader Open Society Foundations Network to seek shared alignment on opportunities that are intersectional and have the potential to create a greater influence through coordination of efforts.

As a Program Manager at Open Society, you will:

  • Develop creative and impact-based grant making, coordinate programmatic strategies, create limited campaigns and related activities in a team-oriented context led by the Director within a spirit of innovation to produce concrete results that are directly aligned within the strategic goals of the program and reflects the need of the social justice narrative ‘ecosystem’ and work of OSUS;
  • Manage, monitor and coordinate a grants portfolio, including long-term and short-term grant planning; identifying and working with prospective partners to develop proposals for grant recommendations; conducting organizational assessments; undertaking periodic reviews of progress and related OSF grant making standards;
  • Foresight, analysis, knowledge production and understanding of important narrative trends as it relates to impact and relationships with programmatic priorities. Ability to focus one or several of the following issues: (1) research, development and evaluations; (2) popular culture, media and justice; and/or (3) narrative infrastructure and amplification;
  • Work collaboratively with other team members and the field to develop, define, and implement program strategies to achieve significant and scalable impact. Promote and participate in fostering open-mindedness and a culture of learning – including learning and evaluation activities to guide the evolution of programmatic work – seeking to continually ask hard questions, gather independent and rigorous data and evidence about effectiveness of the foundation and grantees’ strategies, and help adapt practice as needed;
  • Representation at meetings, events and related venues and the ability to write, develop, research and prepare compelling strategic communications to elevate programmatic strategies;
  • Contribute to the collective thinking, influence, and work of colleagues in the Narrative and Culture team and overall foundation.

What we are looking for:

  • Over 6-8 years of professional experience in either social justice movements, narrative strategy, research and development, media and relevant expertise;
  • Knowledge of systemic social change and the interplay of laws, narratives, public policy reform and community organizing;
  • Professional experience and knowledge of the intersection of racial justice advancement, protecting democratic values, and multi-issue area fields;
  • Deep understanding of how narratives drive and inform the ability to create an inclusive multi-racial democracy through dynamic philanthropic investments, field programming and collaborations with different sectors;
  • Proven leadership in any of the fields of narrative change, social justice movements, academia, or the creative arts;
  • Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and social justice;
  • Commitment to listening and working with humility; ways of working that are respectful to all people; and that support space and voice for all diverse perspectives in our workplace.

What we offer:

  • Ample opportunities to learn and grow, from annual professional development allowances to onsite trainings and learning conversations with visiting experts.
  • Top-notch benefits and perks designed for your well-being and a healthy work-life balance. With some variability according to location, this includes generous time off, flexible work arrangements, employer-paid health insurance, generous retirement savings plan, progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, sabbatical opportunities, and much more.
  • A commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to bring their full self to work and make a positive impact on the world.

How to apply

If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV; we look forward to learning more about you.

https://osfglobal.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/OSF/job/New-York/Program-Manager–Narrative-and-Culture-Change–OpenSociety-US–OSUS-_JR-0002652

Closing date: 3 September 2022.

Work Authorization – Please note, this position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

Open Society requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 unless an employee requires a reasonable accommodation for medical reasons or for a sincerely held religious belief. If you may require an accommodation, please apply for any roles that interest you and if hired, you will receive information on how to request a reasonable accommodation related to Open Society’s vaccination requirement.

We aim to build an inclusive workforce that is reflective of the populations we support, and actively seek applications from those who are marginalized and underrepresented. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

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