Program Consultant – HBCU Brilliance Initiative (12-Month Contract)

Job Type Contract Description About Reinvestment Fund: At Reinvestment Fund, we are dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of underserved individuals and communities. Our mission is to create opportunity for underserved people and places through partnerships. We marshal the capital, analytics, and expertise necessary to build strong, healthy, and more equitable communities. As a federally certified community development financial institution (CDFI), our job is to make finance an agent of positive change and equitable growth. We provide loans, grants and technical assistance to businesses and nonprofits. Our borrowers and grantees educate students, support local economies, and create jobs. They build affordable housing and provide community goods and services that include access to nutritious food, hunger relief, physical and mental health care, and other social services. About The HBCU Brilliance Initiative The HBCU Brilliance Initiative is a groundbreaking program designed to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by centering their voices in the co-creation of technical assistance programming. Our mission is to deliver customized, relevant, and actionable support that respects the diversity and unique strengths and challenges of HBCU institutions. About The Opportunity The HBCU Brilliance Initiative seeks a full-time Consultant to support the design, development, and implementation of its inaugural pilot cohort. This consultant will work closely with the Program Head of the HBCU Brilliance Initiative participating cohort institutions, and strategic partners to co-create technical assistance programming tailored to the distinct needs, contexts, and challenges of HBCUs. An organized, strategic thinker with experience in program design, stakeholder engagement, feedback analysis, and project management, preferably with knowledge of HBCUs or higher education institutions, will be well-positioned to support the initiative.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Program Head of the HBCU Brilliance Initiative and cohort institutions to co-create the technical assistance curriculum and delivery model.
• Facilitate virtual learning groups, evaluation surveys, and institutional interviews/visits to assess projects and needs to design program content, priorities, and delivery preferences.
• Analyze feedback and translate it into actionable recommendations for program customization.
• Collaborate with technical assistance experts to design & tailor sessions in areas such as financial sustainability, governance, and leadership development.
• Coordinate scheduling, logistics, and communication for cohort engagement sessions.
• Support the impact data process by gathering data on participant experiences & program outcomes, aggregating in partnership with Program Operations for entry into the grants and program management platform (SmartSimple).
• Prepare and manage institutional applications in SmartSimple in partnership with Program Operations.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and summaries to inform program refinement and ensure continuous learning.
• Support the creation of a foundation for peer-to-peer learning and networking among participating HBCU leaders.
• Provide project management support to ensure program milestones and deliverables on track.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in education, public policy, nonprofit management, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in administrative program management, program design, facilitation, community engagement, or capacity-building initiatives.
• Strong understanding of or direct experience working with HBCUs and/or higher education institutions is highly preferred.
• Experience engaging and collaborating with institutional or university leadership and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize feedback and translate insights into program improvements or recommendations.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.
• Experience with cohort-based programming, convenings, or structured learning communities preferred.
• Comfort working with data systems or program management platforms (e.g., SmartSimple or similar tools) preferred.
• Commitment to the success and advancement of HBCU institutions.
• Flexibility to work remotely with travel as needed.

Contract Details

• 12-month independent contractor role.
• Compensation: $50-60/hour (1099), commensurate with experience.
• Remote-based within the Southeast region preferred, with proximity to Atlanta, GA strongly preferred.
• Travel required to cohort institutions, convenings and events as needed.