Friends Earth: VP Programs, Climate & Biodiversity

Reports to:

President

Director, Economic Policy Program and Director, Climate, Energy, and Oceans Program

US Remote, with occasional travel

$165,000 - $200,000

We are at a generational – if not historic – tipping point for people and the planet.

Our unsustainable consumption of the earth’s natural and life resources are pushing our planet’s life sustaining systems to the brink of collapse. The climate change crisis, the biodiversity crisis, the staggering economic inequity and racial injustice are driven by global systems which commodify the planet's natural systems and its people. We campaign to challenge and dismantle these systems, while working with communities to build a healthy, equitable, democratic, and resilient future for people and the planet.

We are looking for a strategic leader that can help Friends of the Earth level-up our Climate and Biodiversity campaigning. We are seeking a candidate that wants to challenge the status quo, develop short and long-term campaigns that help challenge and change the systems of destruction that impact people, climate and biodiversity, and are eagerly willing to gather the resources and people power necessary to make it happen.

The Vice President of Programs, Climate & Biodiversity is a senior organizational leader and a key strategic partner to the President, responsible for advancing Friends of the Earth's Climate & Biodiversity portfolio and helping shape the organization's strategy. This role provides leadership for program strategy, fundraising, resource allocation, and campaign execution across climate policy, fossil fuel phaseout, biodiversity protection, and global environmental and economic governance, and maritime transport, ensuring programs are impactful, well-resourced, and aligned with organizational priorities.

As one of two Vice Presidents leading the Programs Division, this role works closely with the Vice President of Programs, Food & Agriculture, to foster a cohesive, collaborative, and high-performing division. Together, the Vice Presidents are responsible for aligning program priorities, identifying opportunities for cross-program collaboration, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and ensuring programmatic and fundraising strategies advance shared organizational goals.

The Vice President serves as a strategic leader, fundraiser, relationship builder, and organizational steward, translating vision into measurable impact while strengthening partnerships, supporting cross-functional collaboration, and elevating Friends of the Earth's influence and effectiveness in advancing its mission.

• 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, ensuring strong programmatic leadership and alignment across the organization.
• Share responsibility with the Vice President of Programs, Food & Agriculture for fostering a cohesive, collaborative, and high-performing Programs Division that advances shared organizational priorities and drives synergy across portfolios.
• Represent Friends of the Earth in high‑level external forums, coalitions, media engagements, and stakeholder relationships to advance organizational goals and influence.
• 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…