Vice President Programs - Climate & Biodiversity

Reports to: President
Direct Reports: Director, Economic Policy Program and Director, Climate, Energy, and Oceans Program
Location: US Remote, with occasional travel
Salary: $165,000 - $200,000

Who We Are:

We are at a generational – if not historic – tipping point for people and the planet. 

Our unsustainable consumption of the earth’s natural and life resources are pushing our planet’s life sustaining systems to the brink of collapse. The climate change crisis, the biodiversity crisis, the staggering economic inequity and racial injustice are driven by global systems which commodify the planet's natural systems and its people. We campaign to challenge and dismantle these systems, while working with communities to build a healthy, equitable, democratic, and resilient future for people and the planet. 

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. We campaign at the nexus of environmental protection, economic, social, and racial  justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment. Our power comes from more than five decades of producing important victories that protect our planet and its people.  We have a dedicated core of staff, board members, members and volunteers that understand that championing a more healthy and just world requires pushing past our own comforts. We are a founding member and campaign in solidarity with Friends of the Earth International and our sister groups in more than 70 countries. Together we are working globally, nationally and at the grassroots level to solve some of the most urgent environmental and social justice issues. 

Position Summary: 

We are looking for a strategic leader that can help Friends of the Earth level-up our Climate and Biodiversity campaigning. We are seeking a candidate that wants to challenge the status quo, develop short and long-term campaigns that help challenge and change the systems of destruction that impact people, climate and biodiversity, and are eagerly willing to gather the resources and people power necessary to make it happen. 

The Vice President of Programs, Climate & Biodiversity is a senior organizational leader and a key strategic partner to the President, responsible for advancing Friends of the Earth's Climate & Biodiversity portfolio and helping shape the organization's strategy. This role provides leadership for program strategy, fundraising, resource allocation, and campaign execution across climate policy, fossil fuel phaseout, biodiversity protection, and global environmental and economic governance, and maritime transport, ensuring programs are impactful, well-resourced, and aligned with organizational priorities.

As one of two Vice Presidents leading the Programs Division, this role works closely with the Vice President of Programs, Food & Agriculture, to foster a cohesive, collaborative, and high-performing division. Together, the Vice Presidents are responsible for aligning program priorities, identifying opportunities for cross-program collaboration, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and ensuring programmatic and fundraising strategies advance shared organizational goals.

The Vice President serves as a strategic leader, fundraiser, relationship builder, and organizational steward, translating vision into measurable impact while strengthening partnerships, supporting cross-functional collaboration, and elevating Friends of the Earth's influence and effectiveness in advancing its mission.

 

Essential Functions:

Organizational Leadership & Division Strategy

• Partner with the President on assessing and shaping the future direction of the Climate & Biodiversity portfolio.
• Partner with the President and Senior Management Team to shape organizational priorities, strategy, and decision-making, ensuring strong programmatic leadership and alignment across the organization. 
• Share responsibility with the Vice President of Programs, Food & Agriculture for fostering a cohesive, collaborative, and high-performing Programs Division that advances shared organizational priorities and drives synergy across portfolios.
• Represent Friends of the Earth in high-level external forums, coalitions, media engagements, and stakeholder relationships to advance organizational goals and influence.
• Work with the President and Board of Directors on long-term programmatic strategy and effectiveness, organizational accountability, and reporting on program impact and priorities.

Program Strategy & Portfolio Oversight

• Set strategic direction and priorities for the Climate & Biodiversity portfolio, including climate policy, fossil fuel phaseout, biodiversity protection, and global environmental and economic governance.
• Guide Program Directors and senior leaders in developing ambitious, innovative, and fundable campaign and advocacy strategies that advance organizational goals.
• Ensure programs are strategically aligned, effectively executed, and deliver measurable impact while advancing equity-centered approaches and long-term systems change.
• Assess emerging opportunities, risks, and external developments and adjust portfolio priorities, resources, and strategies accordingly.
• Promote coordination and collaboration across program areas to maximize organizational impact and strengthen connections between climate, biodiversity, food systems, and economic justice initiatives.

Fundraising & External Partnerships

• Lead fundraising strategy and resource development for the Climate & Biodiversity portfolio in partnership with the Development team, strengthening the organization's ability to secure sustainable, long-term funding.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with major funders, philanthropic partners, coalition leaders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to advance programmatic and organizational priorities.
• Secure and steward significant funding by translating programmatic priorities into compelling, fundable strategies and building long-term philanthropic relationships.
• Identify and pursue strategic partnerships, collaborations, and funding opportunities that strengthen organizational influence and effectiveness.
• Support integrated fundraising and partnership strategies that advance shared organizational priorities across the Programs Division.

People Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

•  Lead, develop, and support experienced Program Directors and senior program staff, fostering leadership growth, accountability, collaboration, and strong team performance while respecting staff expertise and autonomy.
• Build and sustain an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing culture grounded in equity, transparency, learning, and shared ownership.
• Ensure effective stewardship of program budgets, resources, and organizational investments, aligning financial decisions with strategic priorities.
•  Strengthen collaboration, communication, and organizational alignment across the portfolio and with other functions, while preserving the autonomy, entrepreneurialism, and creativity that enable effective campaign work.
• Ensure appropriate risk management, compliance, and operational oversight across the Climate & Biodiversity portfolio.

Required Qualifications:

• Progressively responsible experience in program leadership, advocacy, campaigning, public policy, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
• Senior leadership experience managing leaders, complex programs, budgets, and organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated experience developing and leading high-impact programmatic, advocacy, or campaign strategies that drive measurable outcomes.
• Experience securing and stewarding significant philanthropic funding, including cultivating donor relationships and contributing to fundraising strategy.
• Knowledge of climate policy, biodiversity conservation, fossil fuel phaseout, environmental governance, environmental advocacy, or related issue areas.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams, functions, and stakeholder groups to advance shared goals and organizational alignment.
• Experience leading, developing, and supporting high-performing and inclusive teams, including remote or geographically distributed staff.
• Strong organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple priorities and complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated success partnering with peer leaders to align priorities, share accountability, and lead across organizational boundaries.
• Skilled in written and verbal communication, including presenting to diverse audiences, representing organizations externally, and building effective relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Commitment to environmental and social justice, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, global solidarity, and international collaboration.
• Willingness to travel internationally to meet with partners and funders as needed. 
• Authorization to work in the United States.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep subject matter expertise in climate policy, fossil fuel phaseout, biodiversity protection, international environmental governance, or related fields.
• Experience serving as a senior organizational leader and contributing to organization-wide strategy, planning, and decision-making.
• Experience working closely with boards of directors, executive leadership teams, and external advisors.
• Experience managing multimillion-dollar program budgets and overseeing complex portfolios of work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, strengthen systems and processes, and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Experience building cross-functional partnerships that integrate advocacy, communications, fundraising, legal, policy, and campaign strategies.
• Experience working in international advocacy, coalition-building, or movement-building environments.
• Fluency in an additional language relevant to Friends of the Earth's global partnerships and networks.

Perks and Benefits:

We're proud to be a generous, people-first employer that invests in your growth and well-being. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally:

• 37.5-hour work week to support work-life balance
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and life insurance for added security
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off, including:
  • 25 vacation days to start
  • 15 paid holidays
  • 20 sick days
  • 3 floating holidays
  • Summer Fridays (the last two Fridays in July and all Fridays in August)
  • Winter break (office closed between December 24 - January 1.)
  • Parental leave, sabbatical options, and more
• Professional development and IT stipend
• Education reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

To Apply: 

The priority application deadline is October 19, 2026. Please submit your resume and answer the application questions to be considered. 

This search is being supported by NRG Consulting Group. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions. 


Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. In compliance with federal law, all people hired will be required to verify identity and complete eligibility verification upon hire.