About Ceres
Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy 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.
Founded in 1989 by a small group of visionary investors and environmentalists in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, Ceres now operates globally with a $40M budget, 175+ staff, and influences $44T assets under management by 200+ Ceres Investor Network Members. Today, Ceres is forging the path to stabilize the climate, protect water resources, and conserve and restore nature and biodiversity. Through our Center of Excellence and major initiatives, we are working harder than ever with our members and partners to achieve this future.
Specifically, our programs address:
Climate Crisis
We work with investors, companies, and policymakers to advance climate solutions and achieve a just and sustainable future where people and the planet prosper.
Nature and Biodiversity Loss
We work across economic sectors to reverse nature and biodiversity loss by addressing key drivers such as deforestation, pollution, water scarcity, and climate change—all in a way that advances justice and equity for communities disproportionately affected by nature loss.
Water Scarcity and Pollution
We work with investors and companies to turn smart water management into a business fundamental, advancing private-sector action to address the impacts of growing demand, wasteful use, harmful pollution, and the worsening climate crisis to the benefit of all.
At Ceres, we value integrity, equity, belonging, compassion, and respect. We demonstrate those values through our communication and collaboration with our colleagues and external partners and embody them in our decision-making and advocacy efforts to create a more just and sustainable future.
For more information about Ceres, please visit our website.
The Opportunity
The Chief Program Officer (CPO) will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for Ceres’ programs, investor networks, and sustainability initiatives. Managing across a robust portfolio of programs, they will lead a diverse team of 30 issue experts who implement capital market solutions and campaigns that advance Ceres’ mission. The CPO will ensure all of Ceres’ programs are high-impact, implemented with fidelity, and continually evaluated and improved. Centering our Theory of Change in data-driven decision-making, the CPO will demonstrate optimism, resilience, and pragmatism during high-stakes and uncertain times. Internally, they will advise, coach, and develop talented professionals working across program areas and across the country. Externally, they will build relationships with investors and partner organizations to support revenue generation and program sustainability.
Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a member of the Executive Team, the CPO will work in close partnership with our General Counsel, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Chief People & Diversity Officer, and Chief Development Officer to develop efficient and effective programmatic strategies, deploy best-in-class services and evidence-based interventions, and foster collaboration and communication within a fast-paced, matrixed organization.
Periodic travel to the Boston office and for in-person Ceres events required.
Key responsibilities for the Chief Program Officer include:
Program Leadership & Evaluation
- Create and drive Ceres’ strategic plan for Programs and Networks, ensuring goals across teams and workstreams are aligned to the overall organizational mission, vision, strategy, and budget.
- Oversee the coordination, integration, and delivery of programs and related activities, promoting collaborative relationships between teams and ensuring expectations of internal and external stakeholders are consistently met.
- Evaluate program effectiveness through rigorous data collection, analysis, and assessment, driving a culture of data-driven decision-making and accountability.
People Leadership & Organizational Culture
- Coach, advise, and empower senior staff with the tools and resources necessary to lead their teams toward achieving program benchmarks, driving outcomes, and delivering on budget.
- Support the professional development and growth of all team members by modeling a culture of accountability, feedback, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure clear and effective decision-making, communication cascades, and roles and responsibilities within and across teams to maximize program success.
- Contribute to internal culture by actively upholding values, supporting equity, inclusion, and belonging strategies, and holding others accountable in the service of these goals.
Operations & Finance
- Oversee the budget development process and strategic allocation of staff and resources to ensure the long-term sustainability of programs.
- Provide leadership and direction to program teams related to budget and funding initiatives, including grant administration and reporting.
- Work closely with the Finance Department to budget and monitor programmatic operations to ensure sound fiscal and systems management.
Fundraising & External Relations
- Work with senior staff to develop and implement results-driven strategies to increase revenue for programs and campaigns and achieve organizational outcomes and goals.
- Serve as a public spokesperson, representing Ceres in the media and at external events including conferences, webinars, press conferences, and briefings.
- Lead and 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.
- In collaboration with Marketing and Communications, oversee authorship, revisions, and approval of content developed by staff and consultants to ensure consistent messaging, clarity of voice, and appropriate distribution to diverse audiences.
- Work in partnership with the Development & Finance teams to develop and deliver fundraising targets. Support major donor and foundation cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
Candidate Profile
We are open to considering many different professional backgrounds and recognize that no one individual will possess every qualification outlined. As a successful candidate for the CPO role, you will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes to this role:
You demonstrate a passion for our mission to inspire the world’s most influential investors and companies with the greatest impact on our economy to urgently act on climate threats and take advantage of the business opportunities in the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable economy.
You are a highly skilled manager of large, matrixed teams with proven success in developing and implementing strategic plans and in guiding teams through programmatic evolution and evaluation. You lead by example to create an environment oriented toward trust, feedback, and excellence.
Strategic development and implementation skills are required to execute multiple goals, projects, and initiatives with a large team and in collaboration with other teams.
You bring exceptional interpersonal and communication skills that strengthen team and organizational culture, and enable effective messaging and enhance collaboration up, down, and across the organization.
You have the demonstrated ability to be an effective member of the Executive Team, working to build and implement organization-wide strategies, goals, and culture-building initiatives in partnership with other senior leaders.
You are comfortable working with, analyzing, and leveraging data to drive strategic decision-making. You have overseen the development and implementation of an integrated data system to track shared outcomes and indicators, using results to inform learning and continuous improvement.
You are experienced in centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in organizational practices and are committed to ongoing reflection and learning in this area.
You are a skilled relationship-builder and advocate, with experience representing an organization to investors, partners, and coalitions. You are a persuasive and engaging communicator who can connect with and inspire a wide range of audiences.
The ideal candidate will be an innovative thinker with the organizational acumen, management, and leadership skills necessary to strategically lead program teams through transformation and change. They will bring previous experience building collaborative relationships both internally and externally within complex environments and will understand how to drive coordination, collaboration, and progress across multiple constituencies. Leading with high levels of emotional intelligence and a deep appreciation for Ceres’ business case for sustainability, they will deftly navigate a range of priorities toward a central programmatic vision that will propel Ceres’ impact across industries and markets.
Expertise in one of Ceres’ program areas would be beneficial. Equally important, we are also seeking an exceptional leader and manager who can motivate, manage, and advance the largest functional area at Ceres for optimal impact.
Additionally, ideal candidates will bring:
- 15+ years of progressive leadership experience managing large teams, budgets, and complex programs or portfolios.
- Strong business acumen and experience developing sustainable program models, revenue streams, and growth.
- Experience directing collaborative strategic initiatives and planning processes with measurable results.
- Excellent project management skills, developing and implementing work plans with timelines, deliverables, roles, and responsibilities among large teams.
- Strong strategic decision-making, organizational, and time management skills with keen attention to detail.
- Sound judgment, a high degree of integrity, and professionalism, with an ability to maintain discretion, diplomacy, and courtesy in all contacts.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this role is $225,000 – $250,000. The exact salary that will be offered to the Chief Program Officer will be determined based on a consideration of the successful candidate’s skills and experience and aligned with Ceres’ compensation policies.
Ceres offers fantastic benefits including opportunities for hybrid and remote work; 82% or 85% (depending on your coverage election) employer paid health insurance and 90% employer paid dental insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with a generous match that starts on day one; generous allowances for commuter and work from home expenses; flexible spending accounts to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses; 10 holidays, generous vacation, and additional paid time off including week-long summer and winter breaks, summer Fridays, and sick, personal, and parental leave.
Everyone has a role to play in the movement towards a more just and sustainable world. At Ceres, we are committed to intentionally and carefully curating, engaging, and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We endeavor to create a supportive environment that sparks innovation, fosters respect, and allows Ceres employees, in all roles at all levels, to come together equally to be fulfilled, successful, and to thrive.
Ceres is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.
Contact
Koya Partners l 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 our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential. Applications are due February 15, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Ceres is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.