MAC Found

Program Officer, Local News

Chicago Office

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 37 days ago

ResearchCommunicationCollaborationPublic Speaking

About the role

Job Description TO APPLY: As of April 30, 2026, this search is being led by URL Media.
Applicants who have applied prior to this date are currently under review.
New applicants may submit their application via URL Media's application portal.

Manage a caseload of active grants, including reviewing proposals, writing grant briefs, reviewing periodic reports, maintaining accurate records and thoughtfully engaging with grantees
Maintain and nurture relationships with grantees
Maintain active relationships with peer funders, Press Forward partners, journalism support organizations, backbone organizations, and field leaders
Build and sustain relationships with the Local News team, colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders and organizations in relevant fields
Field Building & Ecosystem Development
Perform other duties, as assigned
The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world.
The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.
The Program Officer will work with the Director, Local News, and the administrative team to implement the Local News program's strategic plan.
The Program Officer will bring expertise in the journalism sector and local news landscape to develop and execute grantmaking, including across the

Six to ten years experience and expertise in the journalism sector, specifically in local news
Ability to meet deadlines, work independently, and consistently produce high-quality work
the ability to organize and convey problems and issues clearly and succinctly
The Program Officer must be willing to travel frequently (once or twice a month).
Mature understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the journalism industry
Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing and public speaking
Self-confident, collegial, and diplomatic, with an appreciation of the role of a grantmaking institution
Computer literate, with a high level of comfort with new applications
Other essential skills include effectiveness in interpersonal relations with a proven ability to work as part of a team; the ability to organize and convey problems and issues clearly and succinctly; ease with and openness to people who hold diverse views; a talent for managing multiple tasks with significant initiative

Chicagoland, U.S.-Mexico Borderlands, Appalachia, and the Southeast.
MacArthur's Big Bet programs are time-limited strategies that include evaluation, periodic review, and refinement.

Support grantee capacity building through convenings, peer learning, and connections to shared services
Collaborate with learning and evaluation colleagues and help prepare for the 2028 Strategy Review

This listing is sourced directly from MAC Found's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.