Chief Program Officer

Apply for our Chief Program Officer role.

How to Apply
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

• Work with senior staff to ensure development and implementation of results-driven strategies to increase revenue for programs and campaigns and achieve organizational outcomes and goals.
• Supervise and support senior staff ensuring they are resourced and empowered to lead on staff, programs, and budget management to achieve the objectives of their specific teams.
• Supervise and support staff in effectively evaluating and aligning staff expertise and capabilities with responsibilities to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Lead Program Management Team (PMT); guide meeting agenda priorities, facilitate and advance decision-making, and ensure proper cascade of communication to appropriate internal teams.
• Partner with Chief People and Diversity Officer and other leaders to cultivate Ceres culture, ensure adoption of DEI strategy, and support workforce planning efforts.
• Provide regular feedback to spur continuous improvement in supervision and mentoring skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience required, advanced degree in related field highly preferred.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of full-time related work experience and demonstrated accomplishments in a senior leadership role required.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking ability to connect programs to organizational goals and outcomes with a focus on results and impact.
• Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of environmental/sustainability issues and/or policies required.
• Demonstrated track record in effectively managing people and program development.
• Experience effectively leading the strategic growth of programs with a non-profit organization.
• Experience directing collaborative strategic planning processes with measurable results.
• Strong people management experience required, with the ability and interest to work closely with staff members to achieve individual and team goals. Strength demonstrated in empowering staff to set and meet clear and measurable goals.
• Familiarity with organizational development principles and practices a plus.
• International policy and fundraising experience a plus.
• Effective team leadership and change management skills while balancing competing priorities strongly desired.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and an interest in driving a strong organizational culture.
• Proven results leveraging available resources effectively to meet program objectives and exceptional program, budget, and grant management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically manage programs or an organization to align with changing priorities and revenue.
• Experience hiring, training, supervising, and supporting professional development of staff required.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a leadership team.
• Superior communication skills, both oral and written; ability to work effectively with people at all levels of the organization, and with external constituents.
• Strong initiative and motivation, with the ability to excel in a demanding fast-paced environment.
• Technical proficiency with proven ability to navigate systems to develop and analyze data, develop presentations and other documents, and conduct day-to-day communications electronically.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and standard e-mail computer applications. Experience with or willingness to learn specific Ceres’ applications necessary for success including Salesforce and Microsoft Teams.
• Highly developed writing and presentation skills.
• Strong strategic decision-making, organizational, and time management skills with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent research and problem-solving capabilities, sound judgment, a high degree of integrity and professionalism, with an ability to maintain discretion, diplomacy, and courtesy in all contacts.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Effective and inclusive collaborator with proven ability to perform all duties while ensuring equity, being diplomatic and flexible, and while treating all persons with dignity and respect.
• Strong emotional intelligence, an ability to lead with empathy and inquiry, experience developing trusting relationships with colleagues.
• Passion for Ceres’ goals and Theory of Change and ability to support Ceres’ Commitment to Inclusion and Equity.