Projects Specialist, Advancement

We are seeking a Projects Specialist to join the Foundation in its mission of benefitting, supporting, and enhancing the California Community Colleges—the largest and most diverse system of higher education in the nation. The Foundation for California Community Colleges is on a mission to double its impact in the next 10 years. We are a group of relentless optimists and innovators in education, working collaboratively with public and private partners to help improve the student experience and expand pathways to economic and social mobility in communities across California.

What You’ll Do

The Advancement Projects Specialist is a hybrid role that supports strategic initiatives, fosters cross-team collaboration, and ensures operational excellence across Advancement. Reporting to the Senior Director of Innovation and Incubation, the Specialist plays a key role in advancing high-priority projects, coordinating complex workflows, and supporting research and synthesis to shape early concepts. The role also provides targeted executive coordination for the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)—and, as needed, for Advancement leadership—so calendars, meetings, materials, and follow-through are managed effectively and aligned to strategic priorities. This blend of project support and executive coordination ensures that Advancement can deliver with clarity, speed, and impact.

The ideal candidate is a quick learner and self-starter with a strong systems mindset—proactive, people-savvy, and detail-oriented—capable of managing complex workflows, tracking multiple concurrent priorities, contributing to research projects, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. A collaborative team player, they bring structure to ambiguity, thrive on organization, write crisply, think critically, are comfortable with technology, and are curious about applying AI and innovation to improve efficiency and impact.

• Support the development and implementation of strategic initiatives aligned with Advancement’s mission and goals.
• Draft documents, concept notes, work plans, and timelines that translate ideas into action.
• Communicate directly with external stakeholders to identify, track, and manage special projects and initiatives that help drive Innovation and Incubation within Advancement.
• Leverage AI, data, and productivity tools to support business development, research project deliverables, and to monitor the efficacy of internal and external initiatives.
• Support Chief Advancement Officer, by coordinating across Advancement teams to align workstreams and deliver results.
• Provide targeted scheduling, logistics, and coordination support for the Chief Advancement Officer, Executive Vice President, Communications and Technology, and the Senior Director of Innovation and Incubation.
• Prepare agendas, manage materials, and track follow-ups for high-priority meetings and initiatives.

Attributes for Success

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, education, public policy, business, economics, or related field; or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in roles that combine executive support, project coordination, and light research or strategic support.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, organization, and follow-through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to draft clear, compelling, and professional materials (emails, briefs, memos, decks).
• Critical thinking and problem-solving; ability to anticipate needs, connect ideas, and propose practical solutions.
• Curiosity about AI-powered tools and innovations (e.g., ChatGPT, Notion AI, Grammarly) to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom; familiarity with Salesforce, Asana, and Miro is a plus.
• Experience with complex calendar management and meeting coordination, ideally supporting senior leaders.

What we Offer

FoundationCCC is fully committed to a “remote-first” philosophy, and recruits and hires talent across the state in fully remote positions, where virtual work is possible. Our headquarters are located in Downtown Sacramento, just blocks from California’s State Capitol.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, generous PTO, holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Wellness offerings
• CalPERS retirement program and optional 403(b) and 457 Retirement plans
• Tuition reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected].

Budgeted Annual Salary Pay Range:

Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.