The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) is seeking a skilled, highly motivated, and entrepreneurial individual to join the foundation as a Program Officer — Home Region.

The position calls for a solid understanding of the Home Region geographies and WFF grantees. The foundation seeks to recruit individuals with a demonstrated commitment to an inclusive quality of life, superior interpersonal and communication skills, a respectful but analytical approach to the work of grantees and partners, and a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team.

This role is based in Bentonville, AR.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization to foster an environment where all associates THRIVE and belong. We do this by creating:

• a culture committed to continuous learning that recognizes and values differences
• an environment of respect and connection to learning from the richness of identities, experiences, and perspectives
• fair access for all to opportunities for growth and advancement

About the Position

The Program Officer will help manage a diverse portfolio of municipal and non-profit grantees. Program Officers work on a small, entrepreneurial team. Specific duties include the following:

• Refine and implement the Home Region’s 2025 Strategic Plan, with a particular focus on Regional Affordability – specifically within the region’s housing and mobility sectors. Regional Affordability is a strategy housed within the Home Region’s Inclusive Growth and Sense of Belonging initiative with the goal of ensuring that residents of all backgrounds, across all neighborhoods, have access to opportunity.  Within the 2025 Strategy framework, this role will take on increasing responsibility for regional affordability, a strategy that seeks to catalyze systems change to ensure the region addresses emerging affordability issues in housing and mobility. A key role for the program officer will be engaging community partners and seeking grantees to execute against the overall strategic goals.

• Help manage relationships with grantees, potential grantees, and other partners. This will include performing due diligence on proposals, shepherding proposals through the foundation’s approval process, conducting site visits, providing guidance, and working with grantees in any way that will achieve a significant impact. In addition, this position will continue to build new relationships with a broad network of other partners who can leverage the foundation’s goals.
  
• Be an effective team member. The success of the foundation’s Home Region strategy is built on a strong team culture that values partnership. Team members provide support as well as honest and respectful feedback to one another. All team members are held to high-performance expectations that include a mindset of personal and professional development. 
  
• Other projects and assignments. These may be requested by the foundation’s board, Executive Director, or Director of the Home Region Program.

Who we are looking for

Qualifications required for your success

• Bachelor’s degree required, relevant master’s degree or higher preferred
• At least five years of work in an affordable housing, professional urban planning setting, or related field
• Direct experience with affordable housing and/or transportation planning projects
• Understanding of affordable housing and transportation sectors and access to assistance programs at federal, state, and local levels that could be used to leverage impact
• Experience and track record to serve as a critical advisor and subject matter expert to increase workforce housing, transportation options, and the development of inclusive and welcoming places through various philanthropic tools and public/private leverage opportunities
• Excellent written skills and experience in producing both brief and longer written products in a timely fashion for internal and external audiences
• Oral communication skills, with experience in public speaking that emphasizes conveying complex issues to internal and external audiences
• Proven skills in organization and time management
• Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a team, as well as independently
• Intellectual agility and the ability to analyze, think critically, and understand progressive urban planning principles and issues

Personal attributes that support your success

• Ability to act as a trusted advisor to principals and colleagues while demonstrating expertise and integrity
• You are helpful, a team player, and show respect while collaborating with others
• You are results-oriented and exercise sound judgment in your work
• A lifelong learner, who is inquisitive and solves problems with bold thinking and innovation
• A visionary who plans for the future with imagination and wisdom
• You are dedicated to achieving excellence and working with others to tackle the tasks at hand

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement, credit, and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work.

Benefits Information

Compensation Range: $128,000 - $160,000

Benefits Information: We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan, and paid time off.

Click here to apply.

About the Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation is, at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving K-12 education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more visit waltonfamilyfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About the Home Region Program

In Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta, the Walton Family Foundation's work is guided by an abiding belief that communities can thrive when they have access to opportunity. Our five-year strategy is underway, working to build a more vibrant, inclusive economy in Northwest Arkansas and promoting equity through education and financial security in the Delta. Through collaboration with diverse partners and guided by the voices of the communities where we work, the Foundation is elevating solutions that deliver lasting progress and drive meaningful change.

The Home Region accomplishes this goal through two initiatives:

Northwest Arkansas

The Foundation envisions Northwest Arkansas as one of the nation's most vibrant and inclusive communities. We will put our resources behind community-led efforts that Advance Economic & Cultural Vibrancy, Foster Inclusive Growth & A Sense of Belonging, and Support Community Leadership & Capacity-Building

Arkansas-Mississippi Delta

In the Delta, the Foundation is committed to supporting the people and organizations building lasting impact for all people in the Delta. That includes local leaders strengthening schools and educational programs; supporting small businesses and economic opportunity; and investing in the innovators working to build a better, brighter future.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Walton Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.