Ascendium Senior Program Officer Jobs 2026: Multiple High-Impact Philanthropy Positions Offering Approximately $125,000 Salary

Professionals passionate about expanding educational access, improving workforce training outcomes, and creating pathways to economic mobility now have an exciting opportunity to join Ascendium, a leading philanthropic organization committed to helping learners from low-income backgrounds succeed in postsecondary education and workforce training.

Ascendium is currently recruiting for multiple Senior Program Officer positions to help lead and execute strategic grantmaking portfolios focused on expanding opportunity, supporting learner success, and connecting and aligning systems across the education and workforce sectors.

These positions offer experienced professionals the chance to influence national education and workforce development initiatives, collaborate with leading organizations, fund innovative solutions, and generate knowledge that improves outcomes for underserved learners across the United States.

Job Overview

The Senior Program Officer serves as a lead strategy execution officer within one of Ascendium’s core philanthropic strategy teams:

• Expand Opportunity
• Support Learner Success
• Connect and Align Systems

Reporting directly to a Strategy Director, successful candidates will play a major role in designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating strategic grantmaking portfolios that align with Ascendium’s mission and philanthropic goals.

The role combines strategic leadership, grantmaking expertise, partnership development, policy engagement, learning and impact evaluation, and field-building activities.

Salary and Compensation

Ascendium plans to offer an annual salary of approximately:

$125,000 per year

Candidates with significant experience and qualifications may be eligible for higher compensation.

In addition to a competitive salary, Ascendium offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing, financial security, and professional growth.

Location and Work Arrangement

The position is primarily based in:

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Ascendium operates a hybrid work model that includes:

• Three days per week working in the office.
• Two days per week working remotely.

Candidates are expected to reside in or relocate to Madison, Wisconsin.

However, Ascendium may consider remote candidates if qualified Madison-based applicants cannot be identified.

Travel Requirements

Successful candidates should be prepared to travel approximately:

6–10 times per year

Travel may include:

• National conferences
• Strategic convenings
• Grant partner events
• Site visits
• Home weeks
• Other mission-aligned activities

Areas of Expertise Being Sought

Ascendium is hiring multiple Senior Program Officers and applicants should possess expertise in at least one of the following areas.

1. Workforce Reentry Ecosystems

Experience involving:

• Workforce training
• Reentry supports
• Justice-impacted populations
• Local workforce systems
• Regional workforce partnerships
• National workforce organizations

2. Community College Transformation

Expertise related to:

• Guided pathways
• Developmental education reform
• Institutional transformation
• Student success redesign
• Community college system improvement
• Postsecondary completion strategies

3. State-Level Cross-Sector Systems Alignment

Experience involving:

• Postsecondary education systems
• Workforce development systems
• Corrections systems
• State policy implementation
• Data infrastructure development
• Dual enrollment programs
• Credit mobility initiatives

4. External Affairs

Knowledge and experience in:

• State policy analysis
• Federal policy analysis
• Coalition building
• Strategic communications
• Public affairs
• Stakeholder engagement
• Field leadership

Applicants are encouraged to clearly identify their area or areas of expertise in their cover letter.

Key Responsibilities

Senior Program Officers will have a broad range of responsibilities aimed at advancing Ascendium’s strategic objectives.

Strategic Portfolio Leadership

Responsibilities include:

• Designing strategic grantmaking portfolios.
• Managing grantmaking initiatives.
• Reviewing portfolio performance.
• Aligning grant investments with organizational goals.
• Developing responsive grantmaking priorities.

Grantmaking and Funding Management

Successful candidates will:

• Source ideas and potential partners.
• Assess strategic alignment of proposals.
• Guide applicants through the grant process.
• Develop funding recommendations.
• Draft funding proposals for board review.
• Structure reporting and payment processes.

Learning and Impact Development

Working closely with Senior Learning and Impact Officers, Senior Program Officers will:

• Develop learning agendas.
• Monitor strategic outcomes.
• Evaluate grant effectiveness.
• Identify lessons from funded initiatives.
• Improve future grantmaking strategies.

Partner Support and Relationship Building

The role includes:

• Supporting grant partners.
• Facilitating connections among organizations.
• Building collaborative networks.
• Strengthening partnerships with peer funders.
• Promoting knowledge sharing across the field.

Convenings and Field Leadership

Senior Program Officers will also:

• Lead strategic events and convenings.
• Facilitate discussions among stakeholders.
• Present at conferences.
• Participate in national working groups.
• Engage with professional associations.
• Contribute thought leadership pieces and publications.

Team Collaboration and Mentorship

Additional responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with colleagues across strategy teams.
• Mentoring Program Officers and Associate Program Officers.
• Supporting organizational planning and budgeting.
• Coordinating strategic communications efforts.

Required Qualifications

Candidates should possess a strong combination of education, leadership experience, and subject matter expertise.

Educational Requirements

Applicants should have knowledge equivalent to a master’s degree in fields such as:

• Education
• Philanthropy
• Social Sciences
• Social Work
• Community Development
• Economics
• Business
• Related disciplines

Professional Experience

Candidates should have:

• At least seven years of relevant experience.
• Experience in postsecondary education.
• Workforce development or workforce training experience.
• Philanthropic sector experience.
• Nonprofit leadership experience.
• Local, state, or federal government experience.

Essential Skills

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Commitment to equitable opportunity.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strategic thinking abilities.
• Stakeholder engagement expertise.
• Relationship-building skills.
• Leadership experience.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Adaptability and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across sectors.

Benefits Package

Ascendium offers a highly competitive employee benefits package that includes:

Health Coverage

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance

Family Support

• Up to eight weeks of paid parental leave

Education Benefits

• Student loan repayment assistance
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities

Retirement Planning

• Retirement savings plan
• Employer matching contributions

These benefits are designed to help employees achieve long-term personal and professional success.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Ascendium is committed to equal employment opportunity and welcomes applications from qualified individuals regardless of:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• Age
• National origin
• Disability status
• Veteran status
• Other protected characteristics

The organization actively promotes diversity, inclusion, and equitable opportunity in both its workplace and philanthropic initiatives.

Important Immigration Information

Applicants should note that:

H-1B sponsorship, including initiation or transfer, is not available for this position.

Candidates should ensure they have appropriate authorization to work in the United States before applying.

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Why This Opportunity Stands Out

The Senior Program Officer role at Ascendium offers far more than a traditional nonprofit or philanthropic position. It provides an opportunity to influence national systems, improve educational outcomes, shape workforce development initiatives, and create meaningful change for learners from low-income backgrounds.

Professionals with expertise in education, workforce development, policy, philanthropy, community college reform, or systems transformation will find this role especially attractive due to its strategic impact, leadership opportunities, competitive compensation, and mission-driven focus.

For experienced professionals looking to drive large-scale change in education and workforce systems, this opportunity represents a unique chance to make a lasting impact while advancing a rewarding career in philanthropy.

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