Senior Program Officer, Policy & Advocacy

Senior Program Officer, Policy & Advocacy

Sobrato Philanthropies' Thriving Communities strategy aims to uplift low-wage and housing-insecure residents and families. To achieve this vision, Sobrato Philanthropies (SP) will deploy grants and other tools in the Silicon Valley region, at the state level in California, and nationally across critical issue areas impacting communities, including Economic Mobility, Educational Equity, and Housing Security. Climate Action is the newest issue area in 2027, and our grantmaking portfolio in this area will be small relative to the others. Responsibilities and TasksJob Responsibility 1: Portfolio Leadership & Management 50% of TimeLead strategy development, refinement, and grantmaking for our statewide and national policy and advocacy grants in Economic Mobility. Launch initial, smaller Climate Action portfolio. Identify and research organizations that would be well-aligned with our priorities, evaluate grant proposals, conduct due diligence and financial analysis using our rubrics, determine priority funding areas, draft agreements with key metrics, and present grant recommendations. Grow and deepen ongoing collaboration with grantees through check-ins, site visits, technical assistance, and thought partnership, among other tools. Collaborate with Program Officers and Senior Program Officers at SP to align strategies and grantmaking across geographies (Silicon Valley region, California, and nationally).Develop and implement virtual and in-person grantee learning and convening opportunities. Stay abreast of new, significant, and relevant developments in policy, research, and practice. Proactively surface critical insights, trends, needs, and gaps on policy, systemic change, and organizational capacity building from our grantees and the field to inform SP's grantmaking strategy and practice. Bring findings back to grantees to strengthen their capacity. Regularly monitor state policy in California and track policy and funding wins for Economic Mobility primarily and Climate Action as needed. Provide updates to the team and lead discussions about the impact on communities and grantmaking implications. Strategically align portfolio investments with the Thriving Communities strategy and provide key data and metrics to support outcome analyses and impact narrative. Job Responsibility 2: Partnerships & Strategic Support 30% of Time Identify policy priorities for Economic Mobility on an annual basis and Climate Action as needed. Build, maintain, and activate relationships with key leaders from government, philanthropy, for-profit, nonprofit, and other sectors to develop shared goals and coordinate efforts. Regularly engage stakeholders in Sacramento, including policy leaders, researchers, and advocates, to inform relevant policy discussions and advance our policy goals. Proactively pursue opportunities for policy impact beyond the grant through tools such as policymaker briefings, sponsorships, convenings and networking, and communications. Participate in, inform, and/or advise policy and advocacy coalitions as appropriate. Contribute to funder coalitions and learning spaces to inform philanthropic agendas. Initiate and lead aligned and pooled philanthropic and public-private funding partnerships. Represent SP at conferences, roundtables, and other public venues. Job Responsibility 3: Coordination & Communications 10% of TimeBuild collaborative working relationships with staff across The Sobrato Organization (TSO). Maintain effective communication. Mentor and advise Program Officers and participate in continuous learning with all SP staff. Contribute to annual planning, goal setting, and budgeting cycle. Participate in policy & advocacy, SP, and TSO all-staff meetings to coordinate work, report on progress, flag challenges, and offer insight and expertise. Provide updates to SP/TSO leadership in coordination with the Director of Policy & Advocacy. Partner with grants management team to ensure effective grantmaking processes and practices. Support SP/TSO communications by providing stories and examples for public dissemination. Other Responsibilities as Assigned 10% of Time

Alignment to Our Mission, Culture, and ValuesWe hire individuals who share our vision of building a better future through business and philanthropic leadership, impacting the lives of countless fellow residents of our region in a way that could be replicated in other major metropolitan regions around the country and affecting the lives of millions. Our Mission and ValuesThe Sobrato Organization's mission is to build a more equitable and sustainable world through business and philanthropic leadership. We work to inspire current and future generations to steward family resources in service of others around the world. We have established a deep legacy in Silicon Valley that includes a commitment to community, and our values honor and promote this legacy: Mutual Accountability: We earn trust by taking ownership of our work and honoring our commitments to each other, our partners and our communities. Collaboration: We believe in the value of collaboration and partnership in achieving effective solutions. We treat people with respect and value the diverse experiences and perspectives of our partners, colleagues and investees. Engagement: We recognize that lasting impact requires building deep relationships with our stakeholders and getting proximate to our communities and the work. We act with humility, respect and compassion. Excellence: We focus on results, maintain a strong work ethic, and persist through challenges. We innovate, take risks, and embrace creativity and continuous learning. Integrity: We endeavor to deal transparently, honestly and fairly. We strive to do what is right, especially when it is hard.