Program officer Jobs in Cambridge, MA

Apply for our Chief Program Officer role.

How to Apply

If you think you are the right match for the following opportunity, apply after reading the complete description.

Koya Partners | Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan, Andy Tarsy, and Ariella Pasackow. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out the Koya Partners | DSG Talent Profile. The submission review process will begin in January 2025. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future.

For more information about Ceres, please visit our website (www.ceres.org).

Here at Ceres, we value integrity, equity, belonging, compassion, and respect. We demonstrate those values through how we communicate and collaborate with our colleagues and external partners; and embody them in our decision making and advocacy efforts to create a more just and sustainable future.

About the Role

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will oversee all aspects of the organization’s programmatic work, corresponding operations, management systems, strategic planning, and oversight.

The CPO is responsible for leading programmatic efforts led by a diverse team of issue experts and implementing effective strategies, initiatives, and campaigns that advance Ceres’ programmatic mission. The CPO will ensure regular evaluation, outcome and impact measurement, and communications of Ceres’ programmatic work. The CPO will interface with outside organizations, especially funders, and assist with planning and executing fundraising efforts. The CPO also manages special projects to grow or enhance initiative and campaign priorities.

This full-time remote-first position will serve as a member of the Executive Team (ET) and will be a strong collaborative partner to other members of leadership. The position reports to the President & CEO, who is based in Boston. The CPO will travel to the Boston office periodically and for in-person Ceres events.

Specific duties include but are not limited to the following :

Programmatic Strategy, Operations, and Fundraising

• Create and drive Ceres’ programmatic strategic plan for Programs and Networks. Ensure programmatic goals across teams are aligned to Ceres’ overall organizational strategic plan and budget and are best positioned for development proposals.
• Oversee the coordination, integration, and delivery of programs and related activities, promoting collaborative relationships between program areas and ensuring that the expectations of internal and external stakeholders are consistently met.
• Ensure synergistic and strategic cross-functional coordination of workstreams, communication, resources, and impact across all Ceres program and network teams.
• Provide strategic oversight to all products / deliverables from program teams. Meet quarterly with Ceres program leadership to ensure accountability and progress on program work.
• Deploy resources efficiently and effectively toward organizational goals, working with leaders to balance workload and effort.
• Conduct a formal annual assessment of program effectiveness as it relates to Ceres strategic plan and necessary external factors.
• Partner with Executive Team (ET) and Program Management Team (PMT) colleagues on strategic allocation of resources.
• Regularly solicit strategy and issue expertise from senior staff to support effective decision-making and development of program strategy.
• As organizational needs arise, serve as a public spokesperson, representing Ceres in the media and at external events including conferences, webinars, press conferences, and briefings for programmatic work, initiatives, and issue areas / projects.
• As organizational needs arise, lead or oversee the development of thought leadership reports and briefs, op-eds and editorials, and other external content for distribution to key constituencies and the media. Serve as lead author, manage consultants, project staff, and partners, and review / approve messaging and content.
• Provide leadership and direction to program teams related to budget and funding initiatives.
• Work closely with the finance department to budget and monitor programmatic operations to ensure sound fiscal and system management and to establish and implement grant administration protocols and procedures.
• Oversee the budget development process for departments under the CPO’s supervision and maintain a high level of fiscal responsibility.
• Work in partnership with the Development and Finance teams to develop and deliver fundraising targets. Support Development in major donor and foundation cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities, participating in high-level relationships as needed.
• Lead special organizational projects as needed.

Leadership and Organizational Culture

Qualifications

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