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Assistant Program Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Program Officer - SW

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Collaborate with colleagues in cooperative approaches to grantmaking; * Assist with special ... Our target salary range for the Social Welfare Program Officer in the New York City market is $80 ...

Program Officer - RED

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

... Assist potential applicants with proposal development; • Maintain regular communication with ... Our target salary range for the RED Program Officer in the New York City market is $80,000-$85,000.

OR

$115K - $116K/yr

The role Senior Program Officers are the leaders of GiveWell's grantmaking. In this role, you'll ... Our researchers assist in communicating our research findings to the public and our donors, and on ...

Senior Program Officer

$118K - $119K/yr

The role Senior Program Officers are the leaders of GiveWell's grantmaking. In this role, you'll ... Our researchers assist in communicating our research findings to the public and our donors, and on ...

PROGRAM ADMIN ASSISTANT

Houston, TX · On-site

$40K - $45K/yr

Program Administrative Assistant Salary: 40K-45k Position Type: Full Time Pay Schedule: Semi ... Monitor and order supplies with approval from the Chief Program Officer. * Maintain supplies of ...

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Assistant Program Officer information

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$21.5K

$45.7K

$63K

How much do assistant program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant program officer in the United States is $45,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $47,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Assistant Program Officer do?

An Assistant Program Officer supports the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs within an organization, often in the nonprofit, government, or educational sectors. They assist with administrative tasks, help coordinate program activities, maintain documentation, and communicate with stakeholders. Their role is vital in ensuring that programs run smoothly and achieve their goals. They may also help with budget tracking, reporting, and researching best practices for program improvement.

What is the difference between Assistant Program Officer vs Program Officer?

AspectAssistant Program OfficerProgram Officer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, relevant experienceBachelor's or master's degree, more experience
Work EnvironmentSupportive team, entry to mid-levelLeadership role, project management
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, NGOs, government agenciesSimilar sectors, more responsibility
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between an Assistant Program Officer and a Program Officer lies in their level of responsibility and experience. Assistant Program Officers typically support program activities and handle administrative tasks, while Program Officers oversee projects, manage teams, and make strategic decisions. Both roles are common in nonprofit and government sectors, with the Program Officer position requiring more experience and leadership skills.

What are some common challenges faced by Assistant Program Officers when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Assistant Program Officers often juggle several projects at once, which can present challenges in prioritization and time management. Balancing competing deadlines, coordinating with diverse stakeholders, and adapting to shifting program needs require strong organizational skills and flexibility. Successful professionals in this role proactively communicate with team members, use project management tools, and regularly review progress to stay on track. Being open to feedback and willing to adjust plans as needed are also key to overcoming these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Program Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Program Officer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and experience in project management, program evaluation, and research. Familiarity with data analysis tools, grant management systems, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite are commonly required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing multiple tasks and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure programs are executed efficiently, objectives are met, and stakeholder relationships are maintained.
What cities are hiring for Assistant Program Officer jobs? Cities with the most Assistant Program Officer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Program Officer jobs? The most popular types of Program Officer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Assistant Program Officer jobs? The top employers for Assistant Program Officer jobs are:
What states have the most Assistant Program Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Assistant Program Officer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Assistant Program Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,721 per year, or $22 per hour.
Cross-Foundation Program Officer

Cross-Foundation Program Officer

MacArthur Foundation

Chicago, IL • On-site

$120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Job Description
Summary:
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world's most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.
The Foundation is seeking a Cross-Foundation Program Officer to provide programmatic support to multiple areas of work on an as-needed basis as back-up for, or in addition to, current program staff. This Program Officer is one of a team of three and will apply their expertise across multiple subject areas to develop and implement grantmaking strategies. In this role, the Program Officer will be called upon to deliver under pressure, and consistently produce high-quality work; build effective peer relationships throughout the Foundation; work with other departments proactively; anticipate potential issues and propose solutions; offer assistance and service to colleagues; and present ideas for improvement and be able to create a project plan to execute these improvements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Participate in the design, implementation, refinement and adaptation of grantmaking strategies and in planning future program strategies, as needed
  • Assist in the design of new initiatives
  • Identify prospective grant recipients and work with prospective grantees to develop proposals that advance grantmaking strategies
  • Review and evaluate proposals
  • Conduct background research and due diligence, prepare grant recommendations for administrative and Board consideration, and respond to unsuccessful proposals
  • Monitor the performance of grants and the implementation of grant strategies
  • Manage a caseload of active grants, review periodic reports and maintain accurate records and constructive contact with grantees
  • Organize meetings of prospective grantees, grantees, program advisors, and others in relevant fields
  • Keep abreast of current events, developments and issues in the field to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to grantmaking.
  • Write extensively for internal purposes
  • Build and sustain relationships with colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders, actors and organizations in relevant fields, including the public and commercial sectors
  • Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as speaker or panel participant

Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Serve on internal Foundation committees as appropriate
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
  • Graduate training and at least five years' experience working as a policy professional, researcher or practitioner in a relevant nonprofit or academic field preferred; previous grantmaking or grant seeking experience is desirable
  • Seasoned generalist with the ability to work across multiple subject areas
  • Solid grounding in the theory, history and trends in a relevant area of work; a strong grasp of relevant empirical research and theoretical literature; and a good understanding of the substance and dynamics of public policies relevant to the work of the program(s)
  • Able to make effective connections among research, policy and practice and to work productively with government, community-based organizations, and academic institutions, and working knowledge of relevant government policies and programs
  • Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing and public speaking
  • Self-confident, collegial, and diplomatic, with an appreciation of the role of a grantmaking institution
  • Computer literate, with a high level of comfort with new applications.
  • Other essential skills include: effectiveness in interpersonal relations with a proven ability to work as part of a team; the ability to organize and convey problems and issues clearly and succinctly; ease with and openness to people who hold diverse views; and a talent for managing multiple tasks with significant initiative

The Program Officer must be willing to travel occasionally.
The position is currently hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois.
Annual salary for this role will start at $120,700. We offer a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and a comprehensive benefits package to support your life, health, and well-being.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job. Reasonable accommodations are also available during the interview process.