The Organization
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 at ballmergroup.org and linkedin.com/company/ballmer-group.
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 Senior Portfolio Manager (Sr. PM) to oversee the implementation of the organization’s national Housing strategy, which focuses on increasing the supply of affordable rental homes and expanding access to rental assistance and other supports for low-income families. The Sr. PM will be responsible for: a) leading the day-to-day implementation of a large, multi-year investment to expand supply of affordable rental homes in the Seattle area; and b) implementing and honing BG’s national housing strategy by sourcing, vetting, and managing a small portfolio of high-impact and high-leverage national grants. The successful candidate will have expertise in affordable housing finance and experience structuring, negotiating, and closing commercial real estate transactions. We are looking for a self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for BG’s mission, and a character that models BG’s core values of respect, collaboration, agility, and accountability, as well as our commitment to equity and inclusion. The position will be based in Bellevue, WA, and report to the Executive Director, Strategy and Operations & National Housing.
Key Priorities & Responsibilities
The Sr. Portfolio Manager, Housing will be responsible for the following functions and responsibilities:
Implement BG’s WA Housing Fund (60%)
- Work with internal and external partners (including a diligence partner, a lender and asset steward, and outside legal counsel) to source, vet, structure, and recommend affordable housing deals that meet BG’s investment criteria and optimize the impact on low-income families in the Seattle region.
- Represent BG in formal and informal investment negotiations and build/maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in the Seattle region (e.g., developers, investors, policymakers, advocates, etc.).
- Keep the Executive Director, Strategy and Operations & National Housing, and other senior leaders across BG updated on the program’s progress, elevating issues and questions as necessary/appropriate.
- Elevate learnings and insights from BG’s investments (as well as potential investments that did not close) and recommend adjustments to BG’s strategy as appropriate.
Implement and hone BG’s national housing strategy/portfolio (40%)
- Implement, manage, and hone BG’s housing strategy, including setting long-term and annual goals for the organization’s national housing work.
- Manage a portfolio of 25 high-impact, high-leverage, and strategically aligned grants, including regular check-ins with grantees and reports to BG leadership on progress toward impact goals, key learnings, and emerging risks.
- Leverage relationships in the field to uncover and pursue new grantmaking opportunities and strategic partnerships that contribute to BG’s housing strategy and broader philanthropic mission.
- Shepherd potential housing grantees through the grant review and approval process, including performing due diligence, assessing proposals for potential risks, working with grantees to mitigate those risks, and developing detailed recommendations for BG leadership.
- Keep apprised of emerging trends, challenges, and issues affecting the affordable housing field and serve as an expert advisor to other teams across Ballmer Group (especially our three focus regions) on all issues related to housing.
Required Experience, Skills, Education
- 7+ years of professional experience working in the affordable housing field, including direct experience in sourcing, structuring, and closing real estate transactions (either as an investor, lender, or developer).
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Expertise in housing finance, including experience structuring, negotiating, and closing commercial real estate transactions.
- Fluency in national housing issues, including an understanding of the policies (federal, state, and local) and systems that affect the development and affordability of U.S. rental housing.
- Understanding of Seattle housing market conditions, key stakeholders, and other nuances.
- Strong existing relationships and networks in the affordable housing field.
- Committed to supporting and driving the organization’s mission and impact.
- Strategic thinker with experience developing and implementing an ambitious but practical strategy for a new body of work.
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clear takeaways and insights to an executive-level audience.
- Effective oral communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills with experience assessing project budgets and organizational finances.
- Ability to build trust and rapport with internal and external stakeholders.
- Fluency in the MS Office suite, particularly with Excel and PowerPoint.
- Willingness to travel throughout the Seattle region (i.e., King and Pierce Counties), as well as BG’s other two focus regions and other U.S. cities as needed (travel expectations are minimal, representing 10-20% of the position’s time).
Preferred Experience, Skills, Education
- 10+ years of relevant professional experience
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in a related field.
- Background in philanthropy and/or public policy.
Compensation
The starting cash compensation range for the Senior Portfolio Manager, Housing role in Bellevue, WA includes an annual base salary hiring range of $156,900 to $196,100, plus a 10% annual performance bonus target opportunity. The annual base salary maximum for the role is $235,400. 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 Bellevue, WA.
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.
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
