The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Program Officer, Performing Arts
Position Announcement
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, based in Menlo Park, California, is seeking a Program Officer
for the Performing Arts.
About the Foundation
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation helps people build measurably better lives. The Foundation
concentrates its resources on programs in education, environment, global development and population,
performing arts, and philanthropy, as well as grants to support disadvantaged communities in the San
Francisco Bay Area.
About the Performing Arts Program
The Performing Arts Program is founded on the premise that the experience, understanding, and
appreciation of artistic expression give value, meaning, and enjoyment to people’s lives. Its goal is to
ensure continuity and innovation in the performing arts through the creation, performance, and
appreciation of exceptional works that enrich the lives of individuals and benefit communities
throughout the Bay Area. The Program supports a wide range of high-quality arts organizations in one of
the most culturally diverse regions in the country. The Program currently funds more than 250 arts
organizations throughout the Bay Area with an annual grantmaking budget of approximately $15
million. Both the scale of the Hewlett Foundation’s funding and its commitment to offering ongoing,
multiyear, general operating support grants make it a key investor in Bay Area cultural life.
About the Program Officer Position
The Program Officer will work in collaboration with the Performing Arts team and under the guidance of
the Program Director to provide professional, operational, and programmatic support. Responsibilities
fall into three categories: 1) ongoing support and assessment of current grantees and special projects of
importance to the regional and national arts ecosystems; 2) research, identification, and analysis of
potential grantees; and 3) assistance and support for Program and Foundation strategies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Planning and Strategy
 Collaborates with the Program Director and Program colleagues in planning strategies that will
have a strong impact on achieving Program goals.
 Invites, reviews, and responds to inquiries and proposals. Offers professional advice and field
expertise to applicants and grantees.
 Works with grantees to develop strategies to effectively use available resources while fulfilling
Program goals.
 Engages with consultants to develop briefing papers and Program-related reports that broaden
the Foundation’s understanding of new approaches, best practices, and issues relating to the
performing arts.
Grantmaking
 Manages a diverse portfolio of approximately 60-80 grants; assesses progress and responds to
financial and programmatic reports.
 Establishes and maintains effective relationships with current and prospective grantees and
other funders and partners in the field.
 Ensures that sound financial controls are in place for each grant and that funds are spent wisely
and according to grant agreements.
 Manages evaluation of grants and participates in assessments of Program strategies. Develops
guidelines for measuring the success of grants and Program strategies.
 Drafts summaries of grant applications for grant dockets for Board review and approval.
Reviews, writes, proofs, and edits the grant recommendation materials.
Foundation Support
 Organizes and coordinates Foundation-sponsored meetings of grantees and field experts.
 Represents the Foundation at appropriate external meetings, conferences, and site visits.
Required Skills and Knowledge
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Bachelor’s degree in related field; master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of five years of related work experience with some management experience.
Demonstrated exceptional analytical skills necessary for evaluating grants and proposals.
Excellent computer skills and technological ability.
Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to synthesize ideas into coherent
material for presentation to multiple audiences.
Knowledge of the San Francisco Bay Area arts ecosystem preferred.
Ability to thrive as part of a team in a collegial work environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated cultural competency to effectively work with
diverse constituents, including rural communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ communities,
low-income people, and communities of color.
Physical Demands/Work Environment
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend extended hours at the
computer and have the mobility to move. This position requires moderate levels of domestic travel.
How to Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter explaining how your skills fit this position to the attention of
Human Resources, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
 Email: employment@hewlett.org (Subject Line: [Your Name] – Program Officer, Performing Arts
Application)
 Fax: 650.234.1985
 Mail: Human Resources
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
2121 Sand Hill Road
Menlo Park, CA 94025
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.