Environmental Program Officer, Climate & Agriculture
About The Position
The Environmental Program Officer serves as Patagonia’s lead subject matter expert and senior strategic advisor on Climate & Agriculture. The position shapes company direction, environmental impact priorities, and long-term systems-change strategies grounded in relationships with nonprofit partners. It brings expertise in environmental advocacy, philanthropy, policy, partnerships, campaigns, and movement-building to advance Patagonia’s purpose and environmental mission. As a senior strategic leader, the officer influences decision-making across the company and works with leadership and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, risks, and priorities related to Climate & Agriculture. The role develops issue strategies, cultivates partnerships and coalitions, and leads initiatives intended to strengthen Patagonia’s environmental leadership and contribute to measurable impact, including guiding related funding programs. The officer provides internal guidance and thought leadership, aligning organizational resources, partnerships, campaigns, and investments with company priorities and environmental objectives. The role steers issue strategies in North America and contributes to the evolution of Patagonia’s environmental impact efforts globally. The position is based in Ventura, California, with a hybrid workplace arrangement, and requires domestic travel using various transportation methods.
Requirements
- At least 4 years of experience with foundations and grants, preferably from a grantmaker’s perspective, and demonstrated expertise in Climate & Agriculture.
- Deep knowledge of Climate & Agriculture, environmental policy, philanthropy, advocacy, and related disciplines, with the ability to turn complex issues into actionable strategies.
- Demonstrated success shaping organizational, campaign, policy, philanthropic, or movement-building strategies that produce meaningful environmental impact.
- Extensive experience developing and managing high-impact partnerships, coalitions, and cross-sector collaborations.
- Basic understanding of nonprofit capacities such as fundraising, governance, planning, and evaluation.
- Ability to influence senior leaders, build alignment across diverse stakeholders, and drive outcomes in collaborative, matrixed environments.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate Patagonia’s purpose and areas of interest to diverse audiences.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines consistently and accurately, work independently within a team, and handle pressure with ease and humor.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate complex and controversial issues and identify and mitigate brand and program risk.
- Ability to travel domestically using various transportation methods.
- High standards of integrity, maturity, active listening, self-understanding, deep commitment, good humor, and effective communication.
- Proficiency in Windows and Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience; the degree is preferred.
- Experience with grants management software.
Responsibilities
- Develop, refine, and execute Patagonia’s Climate & Agriculture strategies, priorities, and related funding programs.
- Serve as the company’s recognized subject matter expert on Climate & Agriculture and influence decisions across business functions and leadership levels.
- Advise leadership on environmental trends, policy developments, movement opportunities, organizational risks, and strategic responses.
- Work with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to translate environmental priorities into actionable strategies, measurable objectives, and coordinated plans.
- Maintain expertise in Climate & Agriculture, environmental policy, philanthropy, advocacy, and related disciplines to inform company initiatives and positions.
- Represent Patagonia with thought leaders, coalitions, funders, nonprofit leaders, and other external stakeholders.
- Build and lead relationships with environmental organizations, movement leaders, funders, practitioners, policymakers, and other partners.
- Serve as a liaison and convener across sectors, connecting grantees, funders, partners, and thought leaders to accelerate collaboration and collective action.
- Shape partnership and investment strategies, including coalitions, funding partnerships, collaborative initiatives, and shared campaigns.
- Guide Patagonia’s Climate & Agriculture philanthropic strategy and oversee related grantmaking portfolios and decisions.
- Advise internal stakeholders and funding partners on opportunities, grantmaking priorities, and approaches to advancing environmental objectives.
- Leverage Patagonia’s funding by engaging other foundations and potential donors on relevant issues and opportunities.
- Contribute, as needed, to company impact reporting and communications on issue expertise, grantmaking, and environmental progress and outcomes.
- Advise or collaborate on Holdfast grantmaking as opportunities and needs arise.
- Help grantees access capacity-building resources, including Patagonia’s Capacity Building Programs and Patagonia Action Works, and resources through external networks.
- Partner with department leadership and colleagues across Brand Impact, Communications, Employee Engagement, and other functions to set strategic direction and coordinate action.
- Identify and lead strategic campaigns, rapid-response initiatives, advocacy efforts, and partnership opportunities related to Climate & Agriculture.
- Guide cross-functional teams and external partners with issue expertise, strategic recommendations, partnership leadership, and campaign direction.
- Help develop and implement integrated strategies connecting advocacy, storytelling, philanthropy, employee engagement, and external partnerships.
- Advise company leaders and stakeholders on ways to deepen organizational engagement and accelerate progress on Climate & Agriculture priorities.
- Travel domestically using various transportation methods.
- Contribute to a positive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with coworkers, customers, and vendors.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
