Portfolio Manager, National Public Safety

Job Summary

About Ballmer Group

Ballmer Group Philanthropy is committed to improving economic mobility for children and families in the United States, funding leaders and organizations that have demonstrated the ability to reshape opportunity and reduce systemic inequities.

Ballmer Group Philanthropy is both a national and regional funder – we have a presence and invest deeply in southeast Michigan, Washington state, and Los Angeles County. Our organization was co- founded by philanthropist Connie Ballmer and her husband Steve Ballmer, former CEO of Microsoft, founder of USAFacts, and chairman of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Learn more about Ballmer Group at www.ballmergroup.org.

Our Approach

Since our founding in 2015, our focus and impact areas have continued to expand, informed by our grantees' work and by data that shows where the deepest inequities lie. We invest in multiple impact areas and systems that can impact economic mobility – such as early learning, K-12 education, college and career pathways, housing, behavioral health, and criminal justice – and we support leaders and organizations that focus on undoing systemic racism and the barriers it has created. In addition, we make grants in “Levers” that can improve outcomes across these issue areas and in the priority regions, such as improving data/tech infrastructure for data collection and reporting, achieving community impact through rigorous local Place Based Partnerships, and partnering with Government to invest in what works.

The Opportunity

Ballmer Group (BG) seeks a proactive, collaborative, and emotionally intelligent Portfolio Manager (PM) for its national work in Public Safety, which includes investments in Community Violence Intervention (CVI), Gun Violence Prevention more broadly, Alternative Crisis Response, and other related efforts that contribute to community safety.

The PM is a critical member of a small, nimble, action-oriented team, reporting to the Executive Director, Los Angeles, who also leads our national work in Public Safety.

The PM will work with the Executive Director to refine Ballmer Group’s strategic vision, framework, and implementation plan on Public Safety, which includes investments in high-leverage efforts to reduce gun violence and expand alternative crisis response efforts in multiple jurisdictions as well as nationally. Building off an existing portfolio, the PM will manage and shepherd a set of grants and initiatives that align with Ballmer Group strategies and priorities and identify potential new investments.

The PM will also work with counterparts both nationally and in BG’s three core regions (Washington, Los Angeles County, and Southeast Michigan) to align strategies and advise efforts as needed. The PM will represent Ballmer Group in select meetings and collaboratives, and will manage key relationships with private philanthropic partners, public sector leaders, community-based organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders. The PM should also demonstrate commitment to BG’s work on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI).

This role does not include direct people management. It is a collaborative, individual contributor role.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Portfolio Manager, National Public Safety, include:

Strategy: Work with the Executive Director to refine and implement strategic investment framework and annual goals for Ballmer Group’s Public Safety impact area and investment portfolio.
Grant Management: Manage a significant portfolio of active grants, including report reviews/snapshot generation, renewal recommendations, site visits, internal presentations and external relationship building.
Grantmaking: Identify, explore, and cultivate high-potential investment opportunities aligned with BG's strategies and priorities. Opportunities may include direct service grants, grants to intermediaries or wholesale partners, and grants that affect the systems that impact BG's priority populations; and/or that assist government entities in implementation of policies.
External Partnership: Partner with other funders, key public sector leaders, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and community representatives to cultivate alignment, shared commitment, and enhanced outcomes on programmatic and systems-change priorities.
Internal Alignment: Ensure strategic alignment across Ballmer Group through 1) Ongoing communication and partnership with regional and national counterparts; 2) Impact area workgroup leadership/participation (as applicable), 3) Annual Strategy Review sessions, and 4) Organization-wide sync weeks, philanthropy team meetings, and learning sessions.
Organizational Culture: Help strengthen Ballmer Group's organizational culture and operational efficiency through active participation in internal trainings, inclusive culture workgroups and other efforts, as well as team-building activities.
Learning: Facilitate internal learning to increase understanding and awareness of the Public Safety impact area, as well as special opportunities and/or challenges.
Brand: Support the reputation of the Ballmer Group through positive external relationship- building and impactful investments.

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, the ideal candidate will possess the following attributes and qualifications:

Required Experience, Skills, Education:

Ability to manage, identify, and shepherd a grantee portfolio of organizations and efforts that align with Ballmer Group strategies and priorities.
At least 5 years in related nonprofit, community, government, or social sector roles.
A Bachelor’s degree or 3+ additional years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of the fields of Community Violence Intervention, Gun Violence Prevention, Alternative Crisis Response, or related field.
Experience in and ability to work with diverse constituencies.
Excellent writing and communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, especially the ability to develop and sustain trusted relationships.
Proven ability to work independently.
Data driven and systems-oriented approach.
Has a strong point of view and is eager to collaborate to help define and support a strategy.
Is collaborative, team-oriented, and humble.
Is energetic, flexible, deeply committed, and has a sense of humor.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Education:

Experience in managing programs and understanding system-level thinking
Experience in, or interacting with, philanthropy desirable but not required.
Experience interacting with the public sector and systems.
Ability to develop, effectively communicate, and foster buy-in for a strategic vision and implementation plan.
Ability to help shape initiatives that may require strategic partnerships and/or work across sectors or with unlikely allies.
Ability to effectively communicate to leadership the portfolio's strategy, alignment between strategy and an investment recommendation, and potential impact for improved outcomes.
Understanding of the complex interplay between government, the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and community, and/or their funding models.
Understanding of issues of equity in the Public Safety impact area.
Ability to serve as an external representative of the organization in public settings and speaking engagements.
Ability to communicate with and galvanize a broad range of stakeholders.
Ability to serve as an internal advocate for ideas or efforts that might represent an untraditional investment.

Competencies

Passion for the Mission with a Commitment to REDI

The Portfolio Manager will have a sincere commitment to the mission of Ballmer Group and as well as a passion for improving economic mobility for children and families. Ballmer Group endeavors to live their commitment to racial equity, diversity and inclusion (REDI) in their policies and practices, continuing to find inclusive ways to elevate staff voices while acknowledging persistent, pervasive racism in our communities and systems that must be eliminated if we are to improve outcomes for all children and families. As an active and engaged listener, this individual will demonstrate respect for diverse perspectives and have experience working with diverse constituencies. The Portfolio Manager will have demonstrated experience with and a strong commitment to applying a racial equity lens to their work.

Knowledge in Public Safety Impact Areas

With the ability to identify, shepherd, and manage a grantee portfolio of organizations and efforts that align with Ballmer Group strategies and priorities, the Portfolio Manager will have a demonstrated knowledge of public safety and related areas including Community Violence intervention, Gun Violence Prevention, and Alternative Crises Response. This individual will understand the intersection of systems relating to policy and practice to further organizational goals. The Portfolio Manager will bring demonstrated experience interacting with the public sector and public systems, with experience in at least one impact area relating to Public Safety.

Strategic Thinker and Entrepreneurial Spirit

This leader will collaborate with key constituents, nurturing ideas and practices to strengthen and diversify programs and partnerships in pursuit of Ballmer Group’s mission. The Portfolio Manager will develop and refine the overarching strategic framework, helping to facilitate and implement strategic planning at an organizational and programmatic level, articulating a clear connection between vision and action. This high energy individual will have proven and successful experience in program leadership, seeding and launching new and innovative projects, introducing different ways of looking at problems.

Relationship Builder with High EQ

This individual will have demonstrated experience with strong interpersonal skills to foster community partnerships and engage with elected officials, policy makers, thought leaders, and others that advocate on behalf of children, families, and public safety. With the ability to remain flexible and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this individual will be a natural bridge-builder and engaged active listener who will endeavor to connect and sustain relationships with existing and potential partners. With an understanding that institution building requires patience and difficult conversations, the Portfolio Manager will possess a high degree of emotional intelligence and humility.

Excellent Communicator and Collaborator

The Portfolio Manager will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and the capacity to authentically articulate complex issues with purpose to a variety of audiences. This individual will have a confident presence with the ability to demonstrate credibility and engender the respect of others, both internally and externally. The Portfolio Manager will have a demonstrated track record of inspiring and facilitating open, productive, and challenging conversations centered on equity and justice and will have exemplary skills in constituent relations and public speaking. This individual will have an inspired ability to listen intently to a variety of constituent groups, synthesize input, make decisions, and share information broadly to build consensus and support for action with a clearly articulated vision.

Salary & Benefits

As a mission-driven organization and culture, Ballmer Group invests in employee success and satisfaction. We support employees to strive and achieve, and we give recognition for contributing to our impact. We offer a total rewards package that includes competitive cash compensation and benefits, plus additional perks.

Compensation

The pay range for the Portfolio Manager, National Public Safety includes an annual base salary hiring range of $112,800 to $141,000, plus a 10% annual performance bonus opportunity.

The annual base salary maximum for the role is $169,100. We aim to hire new employees within the hiring range to allow future compensation growth. Individual pay increases are assessed annually based on multiple factors such as demonstrated skill in the role and context, progress and performance against goals, and increased experience.

Featured Benefits & Perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee and dependent premiums entirely paid for by Ballmer Group
3 weeks of paid vacation annually
11 paid holidays, plus paid days off for the weekdays between Christmas and New Year
80 hours of paid sick leave annually
401(k) with 12% employer contribution
2:1 Ballmer Family Giving Match for charitable contributions, and $50 donation per volunteer hour
Professional development reimbursement up to $2,000 per year
Employer-paid life insurance of 3x salary up to $1,000,000
Reimbursement up to $40,000 (lifetime limit) for Fertility & Family Building (including Back- up Childcare reimbursement up to $5,000 annually)
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
Parking or transportation (Orca card) up to $250 monthly
Cash stipend of $300/month (for cell phone, wellness expenses, etc.)
Identity theft protection

Location & Hybrid Work

The position is based in Los Angeles, CA or Bellevue, WA. It will require travel approximately 25% of the time.

Our organization practices intentional hybrid work. All Ballmer Group Philanthropy employees are expected to work on-site Tuesdays and Thursdays during overlapping core hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays remain flexible work-from-home or office workdays.

How to Apply

Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at Ballmer_PM@koyapartners.com. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Ballmer Group is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued. Individuals seeking employment at Ballmer Group are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation.