Senior Program Officer

About the Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), located in Princeton, N.J., is a leading national philanthropy dedicated to taking bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime. To get there, we must work to dismantle structural racism and other barriers to health. Since 1972, we have focused on developing and promoting innovations in health and healthcare to improve the lives of millions. Through funding, convening, advocacy, and evidence-building, we work side-by-side with communities, practitioners, and institutions to achieve health equity faster and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right.  

We take seriously our responsibilities, and we pledge to work in ways that reflect our Guiding Principles. These are rooted in equity and influence everything we do at RWJF. Equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and collaboration enable our staff’s wide range of experiences, passions, and perspectives to strengthen our ability to address our nation’s most pressing health issues and support a culture of belonging. Part of this work includes actively shaping an inclusive organization where all staff members thrive as we build and use our capabilities, voice, and power to advance health equity. RWJF offers a collaborative, collegial, and creative work environment. With a career at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, you will make a difference.  

About This Opportunity

Reporting directly to the associate managing director for the Leadership for Better Health (LBH) portfolio, the senior program officer (SPO) will help advance the Foundation’s priorities through strategy development and implementation (e.g., partnership development, grantmaking), including ensuring the strategies are aligned with the Foundation’s broader strategic framework to deepen a focus on intersectional racial equity in the quest for health equity and justice.  

As RWJF tackles structural racism as a barrier to health, LBH is evolving to invest in the leadership of people and organizations who are deeply committed to structural change and the long-term work of dismantling structural racism so that everyone has the opportunity for health and thriving. Working in a variety of fields from healthcare to social justice to academia, these leaders all share one vision: to dismantle structural racism in their institutions, sectors, and systems.   

This senior program officer position will focus on LBH’s work to discern and act on an assessment of how structural racism and structural biases play out in the context of healthcare and public health. We are seeking a candidate with direct experience working in advocacy, policy or practice change, and other system change strategies in healthcare or public health. A strong candidate will have a bold vision for change in these sectors. 

As with staff at all levels of RWJF, the senior program officer is expected to demonstrate a passionate commitment to equity and the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program Development and Monitoring:  

• Center equity, structural racism, and intersectional forms of oppression in their learning, program development, program management, and strategy development, including adoption/adaptation of equitable grantmaking processes.  
• Design and implement new initiatives and bodies of work that advance portfolio and organizational goals and objectives, with a focus on programs and strategies related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the health professions and to support leadership to confront and address structural racism in healthcare.  
• Lead and/or participate on subteam committees and workgroups to design and manage program areas to achieve key team objectives. Serve as a partner with the director and other staff in identifying strategic objectives and direction.  
• Evaluate new proposals for alignment with strategic objectives.   
• Cultivate, nurture, and sustain trusting relationships with grantees and field leaders to inform program development, implementation, and management of programs, as well as to learn and stay informed of field advancements and context.  

Learning and Dissemination:  

• Track progress of several programs and grants toward team goals and objectives, synthesizing and integrating the learnings to inform and evolve strategic directions. 
• Actively learn about field advancements and the external environment and apply those learnings to program and strategy development.  
• Document and disseminate learning from program investments and activities.   
• Contribute to influencing change through sharing knowledge and connecting leaders and organizations, applying expertise and strategic advice.  
• Work with key units across the Foundation involved with communications, particularly in dissemination through the websites, social media, research, evaluations, and learning.   

Team Functioning:  

• Partner/collaborate with director and team to provide insight and guidance on programmatic strategies, grantmaking, and grant management.   
• Provide coaching/mentorship to team members and in the development of team members; may oversee the work of program associates and interns as assigned by the managing director.  
• Serve as a partner to managing director, deputy director and other staff in identifying strategic objectives and direction.  
• Collaborate in a highly matrixed environment by highlighting the connections across work/teams and connecting people internally and externally.  
• Model and cultivate team norms, with a particular focus on equity and racial sensitivity.  

Foundation and Field Contributions:  

• Represent the Foundation publicly regarding strategy, program direction, program funding, and grantmaking results. Convene and facilitate grantee and other partner meetings for shared learning and networking. Respond to public inquiries about the application processes.  
• Provide external thought leadership to the field in support of RWJF’s Generational Goals.   
• Contribute to and participate in internal Foundation groups and teams and carry out other responsibilities assigned by managing director and/or executive staff.    
• Contribute to Foundation-wide projects related to strategy and operation initiatives.  
• Perform other projects and responsibilities, as assigned.  

Minimum Requirements

• Commitment to racial and health equity and the Foundation’s vision, values, and Guiding Principles.
• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, including an understanding of structural racism and other systemic biases and their impact on health. 
• Successful experience fostering an inclusive environment working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Education and experience equivalent to an advanced degree and extensive experience and proven leadership in the field for specific content knowledge related to equity and antiracism in healthcare. 
• Written, verbal, and analytical skills; demonstrated persuasive and respectful presentation skills for communications to be used with internal leadership, external partners, and communities we are working to reach on a range of complex issues.   
• Comfort with using social networking tools to further RWJF’s work.  
• Familiarity with, but not necessarily a professional background in, philanthropy and philanthropic processes. 
• Ability to travel, including site visits and representing RWJF at outside meetings.  
• Ability to provide mentorship/guidance to encourage the development of staff.  
• All senior program officers at RWJF are expected to have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:  
• Commitment to Equity: You have a history of fostering inclusive environments, engaging diverse voices, and are able to consider underlying inequities, structural drivers, privilege, and power dynamics in your work.  
• Connective Thinking: You excel at creatively exploring problems, issues, and opportunities. You are a lateral thinker who is able to translate ideas from different spaces, make connections between seemingly disparate ideas, and see how they fit within a broader whole.  
• Curiosity and a Rapid Learning Curve: You are curious and able to dive into and understand new spaces and new networks. You like to explore different, disparate ideas and can swiftly make sense of complex issues.  
• Systems Thinking: You are able to identify leverage points and assess how new ideas have the potential to influence or change a system. You are comfortable with experimentation and risk-taking and are able to find and refine the transformative “nugget” in an idea—even if others don’t see it yet.  
• Excellent Networking Skills: You are a relational person and are able to build robust networks that allow you to cast a wide net, make connections, and see opportunities and challenges from diverse perspectives.  
• Open-Mindedness, Additive Thinking, and Humility: You are open-minded and willing to explore ideas, whether they are yours or not. You are an additive and generative thinker who builds on the ideas of others. And you are self-aware and recognize a grantmaker’s role in supporting the work of their grantees.  
• Well-Honed Research and Analytical Skills: You can apply rigor and an equitable lens when researching and evaluating. You make sound decisions and are responsive, clear, and persuasive in your recommendations.  
• Able to Drive and Communicate: You are able to work both independently and collaboratively and to manage multiple priorities effectively. You spend your time generously and judiciously. You consistently deliver on project goals and outcomes. 
• Collaborative Approach: People enjoy working with you and you enjoy working with others. You are able to work effectively with others and work with efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy—both individually and as part of a team. You foster an inclusive environment working effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team with people from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds.  
• Minimum of seven (7) years experience related to the required qualifications
• Preferred: Candidates whose experience exceeds the minimum requirements will be considered with particular interest for the role: 
• Experience identifying equity issues and applying equity and justice principles in a healthcare institution.
• Experience identifying equity issues and applying equity and justice principles in a healthcare institution and city or state public health departments.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The senior program officer will perform job duties in a typical business office environment. Specific physical abilities required by this job include operating basic office equipment. The incumbent will be required to attend meetings, both in person and off-site via phone or videoconference. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. RWJF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position’s Assigned Office Location

This position is assigned to our Princeton, N.J. office.

Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP) Explained

As of January 1, 2023, the Foundation has implemented a model we call Hybrid: Flexible Purpose (HFP). RWJF’s new operating model is the infrastructure (e.g., policies, practices, protocols, procedures, systems) that forms the basis for how the day-to-day operations are managed, culture is built and nurtured, and mission is delivered. This model is designed to meet the needs of the organization while giving employees as much flexibility as possible. On-site participation is determined by job responsibilities, organizational and team-level requirements, and mandatory gatherings throughout the year. While there are no fixed days per week, all employees are expected to plan their time on-site and cover commuting expenses as needed to meet those expectations. Learn more about our operating model and in-office requirements.

Salary

The non-negotiable starting salary for this position is $161,500. Candidates who the Foundation determines have directly related experience exceeding the minimum requirements may be provided a higher starting salary of up to $177,650. All salary offers are non-negotiable. 

Benefits

RWJF offers comprehensive health and retirement benefits to employees, generous paid time off, and more. Why work at RWJF? Learn more about the benefits of working at RWJF.

Transition Stipend

A transition stipend is provided to all new hires to aid in costs related to transitioning to a new job.  

How to Apply

• Applicants should submit a resume and required letter of interest by the stated deadline.
• Internal RWJF applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest through the Internal Jobs Hub app in Workday. 

Application Deadline

Monday, February 9, 2026, by 10 a.m. ET.