Program Officer at the Asian Cultural Council

Job Title: Program Officer

Job Status: Full-time

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $80,000

Position Summary

The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) advances international dialogue, understanding, and respect through cultural exchange activities in Asia and between the United States and Asia. ACC accomplishes its mission of cultural exchange through awarding fellowships, grants, and other programs that support individual artists, scholars, arts professionals, and arts and cultural organizations. To date, ACC has supported 6,000 exchanges across 26 countries and regions, and in 16 artistic disciplines. 

The Program Officer will be responsible for shaping and managing program strategies, activities, and grantmaking in alignment with the ACC’s vision and goals. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Program Officer will play a key front-facing role in leading the ACC’s grant programs and collaborate with the affiliate offices in Hong Kong, Manila, Taipei, and Tokyo to ensure that all efforts address ACC’s mission and regional programmatic priorities.

With members of the Programs Department, the Program Officer will help manage grant records, budgets, payments, and reports, and will oversee compliance throughout the grants administration process. They will actively develop partnerships and external networks with leaders in the arts and cultural sector to maintain and support ACC grantee and alumni relations across the 4 affiliate offices in Asia.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Grantmaking

  • Work with Director of Programs to design, plan, and implement ACC grant programs and strategy to advance the mission and maximize program impact.
  • Manage the annual grantmaking and fellowship award process and recommend and implement improvements as needed. 
  • Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
  • identifying and driving the desired impact of ACC grants to meet overall ACC mission and objectives.
  • designing grant application guidelines.
  • conducting feasibility due diligence of select grant proposals.
  • reviewing grant applications for eligibility criteria and requirements.
  • developing selection criteria for panelists.
  • convening and organizing panel selection process for each grant cycle.
  • Prepare and/or draft docket materials that summarize grant recommendations and budgets for consideration by the Director of Programs, Executive Director, and Board of Trustees.
  • Partner with the Grants Administrator to maintain the grants management system (Akoya Go), process and track grant progress, and provide timely reports.
  • Develop program matrix. Analyze data and adjust grant program/portfolio as appropriate.

Grantee/Alumni Relationships and Partnerships

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for grantees. 
  • Effectively manage grantee relationships in collaboration with 4 affiliate offices. (approximately 40 grantees per year across 5 ACC offices). Serve as an internal and external point of contact for grant-related matters.
  • Organize and lead orientation meetings for New York based grantees and develop local programs to provide ACC Fellowship program services. Program services provide grantees access and connections to institutions, alumni, and others in their respective fields to help maximize their grant experiences.  
  • Build and foster relationships with peer organizations for potential collaboration opportunities and act as a connector between grantees and partners.
  • Work with the Grants Administrator to supply grantees’ J-1 visas, health insurance, and travel- related needs as required and necessary.
  • Continuously engage and cultivate current grantees and ACC alumni.

Other Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Department in its efforts to increase the visibility of ACC and to promote ACC’s grant programs, including call for applications, announcement, grantee/alumni activities, etc. 
  • Special projects and administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Programs.
  • Occasional evening and weekend attendance required for grantee/alumni activities.

Position Qualifications

Skills and Abilities

  • Proven experience with and knowledge of a variety of grantmaking approaches.
  • Organizational and project management skills with ability to independently lead projects.
  • Experience with strategic planning/process optimization.
  • Experience with managing data for the grantmaking system (e.g., Akoya Go), and analyzing and interpreting data to improve the effectiveness of grant programs.
  • Skills in customer services and people management for diverse constituencies.
  • Excellent writing and communication skills, strong oral presentation/storytelling skills.
  • Strong aptitude for learning new technologies.
  • Curiosity about a variety of arts disciplines and ability to connect and engage in a personable way with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
  • Ability to work in a team-oriented environment to solve complex and unexpected challenges.

Education, Experience, and Knowledge

  • Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of grantmaking experience.
  • Experience in the arts and cultural field or with international organizations is a plus.
  • Knowledge of Asia and language skills are helpful.

Expectations of All ACC Positions

  • Commitment to ACC’s Mission and Vision. Commitment to the ACC fellow’s short- and long-term goals; demonstrate understanding of and dedication to ACC’s mission of fostering international dialogue through cultural exchange; be mindful that program goals should drive work priorities and plans; value the work of ACC grantees and be a resource for grantees and alumni in Asia and the U.S.
  • Prudent Use of Resources and Accountability. Be mindful of resource limitations and manage resources to effectively carry out ACC’s mission in a fiscally responsible manner, while striving to maximize the funds available for charitable activity; recognize the importance of development activities to the organization’s long-term sustainability and contribute to a culture of fundraising across all departments.
  • Teamwork and Professionalism. Appreciate the value of diversity, inclusion, and equity in all work relationships; be willing to help as well as learn from co-workers in the U.S. and Asia, regardless of job title or seniority; work collaboratively with colleagues toward shared goals and objectives; be willing to perform tasks outside of one’s job description; embrace a positive and collaborative spirit that motivates and inspires others to work for the good of the organization. Embrace and foster continued sharing of information among colleagues.

Application Process

The Asian Cultural Council is an equal opportunity employer and invites applications from candidates regardless of race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion. We offer a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and a generous benefits package. 

The starting salary for this role is USD $80,000. ACC’s New York staff is currently working on a hybrid schedule with a minimum of 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. This is subject to change, most likely increasing in the future.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to opportunities@accny.org. Please include “Program Officer” in the subject line. No telephone or fax inquiries please.

For additional information, please visit our website at www.asianculturalcouncil.org.

This job was sourced via NYFA