Program Officer, Environment Program

About the Foundation

The Kresge Foundation is one of the top 20 private philanthropic foundations in the United States and the only one focused exclusively on expanding opportunities for people with low income in American cities. With an endowment of approximately $4 billion and a staff of over 100 employees, the foundation deploys grants and social investments across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development. The foundation’s state-of-the-art headquarters maintains an array of energy-efficient, water-conserving and health-promoting systems. The foundation also operates an office in Detroit’s Midtown district.

About the Position

The Environment Program Officer will play a key role in advancing the goals of the Environment Program, focused on helping cities combat and adapt to climate change while advancing racial and economic justice. The Program Officer will manage a diverse portfolio, overseeing grants within the program’s Climate Change, Health, and Equity Initiative (CCHE) as well as field-building efforts aimed at strengthening leaders and organizations crucial to accelerating equitable climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions in U.S. cities. In addition, the Program Officer will work closely with other members of the Environment team to contribute to the design and execution of the program’s broader grantmaking and social investment strategies.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Provide strategic leadership and contribute to execution of the grantmaking strategy of the CCHE Initiative, serving as a primary program officer for CCHE grants in close collaboration with program staff across Kresge’s Environment, Health, and other program teams.
2. Structure and recommend a portfolio of grants and manage grantee relationships within the Environment Program’s field building strategies focused on supporting organizations and leaders advancing the climate justice movement, public sector leaders driving equitable climate action within local government, and community development professionals and other urban practitioners advancing equitable climate adaptation and mitigation solutions into community development practice.
3. Act as a thought partner and identify opportunities for collaborative strategy development and grantmaking with other Kresge program teams.
4. Contribute to the design and execution of grantmaking and social investment strategies across the Environment Program.
5. Contribute to and apply working knowledge of subject matter and field expertise to Foundation-wide activities aimed at integrating climate action into all aspects of the organization’s work.
6. Build and manage relationships with nonprofits, philanthropic institutions, government and/or community partners, and assess opportunities for impact and collaboration through research, site visits, and stakeholder interactions.
7. Participate in funder and cross-sector collaboratives as needed to achieve program objectives.
8. Stay abreast of emerging trends and new developments in the climate change field, including the relationship of climate change mitigation and adaptation to racial and economic justice.
9. Prepare materials for internal and external presentations and meetings and represent the foundation publicly to share program approaches and outcomes.
10. Travel to conferences, convenings, and site visits with grantees and funding partners.
11. Lead special projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to urban climate resilience is required; a master’s degree or commensurate experience is preferred.
• A minimum of five years of progressive, relevant work experience advancing equitable outcomes in fields such as climate change adaptation, climate change mitigation, community development, environmental justice, public health, philanthropy, public policy, urban planning, or urban water management.
• Strong orientation and previous experience addressing climate change through holistic, intersectional, and cross-disciplinary approaches (i.e., climate and community development, etc.).
• Experience in consulting/analysis, project management, or strategy development in the for-profit, non-profit, or public sector is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion and a successful track record implementing justice-oriented outcomes. Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse workload and implement strategies.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong project-management skills.
• Strong team orientation, including the ability to collaborate effectively within and across teams, functions, and sectors to reach common goals.
• Demonstrated adaptability, integrity, and a positive, enthusiastic work style.

This position is full-time. The starting salary for this position begins at $140,545.00 per year. Individual offers will be based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of upholding salary equity within the foundation.

The application deadline for this position is Midnight EST on March 10, 2025. Please attach a cover letter for consideration for this position. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

This position is located in Troy, Michigan and currently has a hybrid schedule. Tuesday and Wednesday are the standard in-office days, however, there may be times when you will have to adjust the days based on work needs.

Some air travel and business trips are required in support of foundation events, grantee site visits, team activities, and professional development opportunities. The frequency of air travel varies; however, current Program Officers often take 1-3 business trips per month, with each trip lasting 1-4 days.

Some of the benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision and life insurance
• Paid time off
• Half day Fridays
• 401k with employer matching
• Tuition reimbursement
• Life, accident and disability insurance
• Comprehensive relocation package for qualified candidates

Kresge is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

The Kresge Foundation participates in E-Verify to confirm authorization to work in the United States. For more information on E-Verify and to know your rights please click here.