Friends of the Earth: VP Programs, Climate & Biodiversity

NRG Consulting Group•,

63d•$165,000 - $200,000•Remote

About The Position

Friends of the Earth is seeking a strategic leader to advance its Climate and Biodiversity campaigning. This senior organizational leader will partner with the President to shape the organization's strategy and lead the Climate & Biodiversity portfolio. The role involves developing and executing short and long-term campaigns to challenge destructive systems impacting people, climate, and biodiversity, and gathering the necessary resources and people power. The Vice President will oversee program strategy, fundraising, resource allocation, and campaign execution across climate policy, fossil fuel phaseout, biodiversity protection, global environmental and economic governance, and maritime transport. This position works closely with the Vice President of Programs, Food & Agriculture, to foster a cohesive and high-performing Programs Division. The role requires translating vision into measurable impact, strengthening partnerships, and elevating the organization's influence.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
Share responsibility with the Vice President of Programs, Food & Agriculture for fostering a cohesive, collaborative, and high-performing Programs Division.
Represent Friends of the Earth in high-level external forums, coalitions, media engagements, and stakeholder relationships.
Work with the President and Board of Directors on long-term programmatic strategy and effectiveness, organizational accountability, and reporting on program impact and priorities.
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.
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.
Lead fundraising strategy and resource development for the Climate & Biodiversity portfolio in partnership with the Development team.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with major funders, philanthropic partners, coalition leaders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders.
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.
Lead, develop, and support experienced Program Directors and senior program staff, fostering leadership growth, accountability, collaboration, and strong team performance.
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.
Ensure appropriate risk management, compliance, and operational oversight across the Climate & Biodiversity portfolio.

Benefits

37.5-hour work week
100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
Disability and life insurance
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care
401(k) retirement plan with company match
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
Professional development and IT stipend
Education reimbursement
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)