Program Director, Environment

Margaret A Cargill Philanthropic Services, LLC•Eden Prairie, MN

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Director provides leadership and management for the Environment domain at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP). MACP organizes its grantmaking into seven program domains, with the Environment domain focusing on supporting work that develops effective, sustainable programs for society, the arts, and the environment. The Program Director collaborates with a core team of Program Officers and Associates, as well as other MACP staff, to build, manage, and evaluate the grantmaking domain. This role reports to the Managing Director, Programs and is responsible for developing and implementing program strategies, overseeing grantmaking and operations, managing the team, and engaging with the Board's Program Committee and external organizations. The Environment team currently focuses on Tropical Forests, Coastal Marine, Grasslands, and Freshwater ecosystems across North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia Pacific, along with a portfolio of Legacy grants. The core strategy emphasizes community conservation approaches that center Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as stewards of natural resources, based on the hypothesis that lasting conservation is best achieved when management is defined and implemented by the communities who depend on them.

Requirements

An undergraduate degree with at least 10 years of direct experience leading teams in the philanthropy or environment/conservation sectors.
Management and leadership experience managing teams, leading teams through organizational change, and coaching staff through complex grantmaking decisions.
Extensive knowledge and experience in international and domestic community-led conservation/environment programming, including key field issues and their political and economic implications, with demonstrated ability to navigate these issues diplomatically.
Diverse and rich experience working with nonprofits and/or foundations with a solid understanding of nonprofit organizational structure and actions to advance social change.
Experience, and credibility working in strategic philanthropy, with measurable objectives and accountability to grantee partners and organization leadership.
Proven record of overseeing an annual grantmaking portfolio.
Demonstrated ability to translate the goals and strategies of an organization into actionable plans that align to organization values, philosophy, and mission.
Strong interpersonal and communications skills with proven ability to build collaborative relationships and operate in a team environment that advances the donor’s intent.
Proven ability to think strategically; demonstrated record of success working with a diverse constituency of partners and stakeholders to achieve specific programmatic outcomes.
Knowledge of methods for incorporating equity, inclusion, and diversity into grantmaking and relationships with staff and community.
An understanding of the key issues in philanthropy, a detailed knowledge of grantmaking tools and types, and an understanding of principles of trust-based philanthropy.
Knowledge of community-led philanthropy and capacity building that helps support grantees in their efforts to build sustainable impact in their community.
Understanding or experience in streamlining processes, oversight, and evaluation processes to allow more attention on impact and relationships, while continuing to provide strong stewardship of resources.
Strong detail orientation and project management skills with ability to maintain perspective on the broader principles driving an organization’s work.

Nice To Haves

Graduate-level academic degree in a related field or equivalent level of experience with a proven track record of success and leadership accomplishments is preferred.
Experience working in one or more of the domain’s ecosystem program areas, including Grasslands, Tropical Forests, Coastal Marine or Freshwater is preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee program portfolios aligned with program strategies and ensure Program Officers translate those strategies to develop proposals and implement grants.
Lead department budget development and manage cash distribution goals across all five program areas of the domain.
Oversee and support four Program Officers and Program Associate(s) to manage program portfolios in a manner that fosters meaningful and respectful relationships with grantee and funder partners, respects workload demands on staff and grantees, captures, and applies relevant learning, and keeps staff and board leadership appropriately informed of progress, risk and lessons learned.
Translate and communicate domain-level program strategy, adapting to the needs of diverse audiences, ensuring the Program Committee and Board have the necessary knowledge to fully consider and understand domain strategy and refinements.
Occasionally travel with Program Officers and others to source new grantmaking opportunities, develop and monitor grant outcomes and learning with grantee partners, build constructive relationships, and stay current with program strategies and relevant fields of knowledge.
Collaborate with the Managing Program Director on strategy, process, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring accountability, timely communication, strong cross-team coordination and effective delegation.
In partnership with Program Officers, develop and oversee evaluation plans for the domain in the context of MACP’s evaluation and organizational learning goals.
Maintain accountability for due diligence on all grants within the portfolio with support from Program Operations and cross-functional colleagues, and in collaboration with legal, finance, grants management, and evaluation functions.
Evaluate opportunities to coordinate and collaborate with other funders to multiply overall impact within the Environment domain strategies and focused goals.
Lead domain-level learning and assessment efforts by integrating sector knowledge, grantee and partner insights, and evaluation findings to inform strategy refinement, strengthen grantmaking practice, and share actionable lessons with program and cross-functional colleagues.
Serve as a member of the MACP Program Leadership Team (PLT) to support MACP-wide goals, coordinate MACP programs and operations, and model the values-based culture, content and philanthropic expertise the foundation represents to its employees and its grantees.
Provide inclusive, effective leadership for program staff by fostering belonging and respecting diverse perspectives; setting clear expectations and accountability; and supporting training, coaching, and professional development.
Lead and manage change effectively as a change agent aligned with MACP’s strategic priorities, goals, and cultural values – setting clear direction, reinforcing shared accountability, and enabling teams to move forward with confidence and purpose.
Participate in functional-level program planning, learning leadership, organizational development, and team building.
Work in partnership with others to advance the overall philanthropic vision of Margaret A. Cargill.
Advance MACP’s mission and cultural values of excellence, humility, learning, respect, integrity, and making a difference.
Support MACP’s vision and commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), which are rooted in our cultural values and embedded in direction from our donor.
Contribute to community learning and impact goals, including efforts to strengthen a culture of belonging that embraces different viewpoints, seeks full participation, cultivates welcoming and respectful environments, promotes fair treatment, and confronts discrimination in all its forms.
Participate in cross functional or enterprise level projects and evolving priorities, as appropriate to role and expertise.
Perform other related duties as assigned in support of programmatic and organizational goals.