Title: Senior Program Officer / Environment
Location: New York, NY
Reports to: Program Director / Environment
Status: Full time, exempt (minimum three days a week in person)
How to apply: Click here to submit a résumé and cover letter. The priority application deadline for this position is September 22. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future. We work across three areas: arts and culture, nature, and health and well-being. The foundation operates five national programs as well as Duke Farms and Shangri La, two centers that serve the public directly. Our activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total more than $2 billion. To learn more, visit www.dorisduke.org.
About the Environment Program
Through the environment program, the foundation seeks to ensure a thriving, resilient environment for wildlife and people, and to foster an inclusive, effective conservation movement. Our work aims to propel effective conservation that protects and restores nature, helps address climate change and promotes a more equitable society.
We support initiatives that increase the pace and scale of land conservation and stewardship across the United States to protect biodiversity, bolster the resilience of natural areas, advance climate change mitigation and promote equity. In particular, we focus on two key initiatives: Climate Smart Forests, which aims to catalyze a national effort to conserve, restore and manage forests for conservation and climate outcomes; and Indigenous-led Conservation, which aims to elevate the leadership role that tribes and Indigenous communities play in conservation in the United States.
Position
As a key member of the environment team, the senior program officer (SPO) plays a central role in advancing the foundation’s mission and environmental goals. The SPO is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations and administration of the department, ensuring that activities occur on time, with excellence and in alignment with strategic priorities. In partnership with the program director—who sets the overall vision and strategy—the SPO collaborates with a cross-functional team to lead the implementation of key initiatives and deliver on both the strategic and operational goals of the program and foundation priorities.
Your Impact at DDF
- Advance transformative environmental strategies: Design and manage high-impact initiatives that further our strategic priorities and catalyze progress toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
- Steward strategic grantmaking and collaboration: Serve as a trusted partner to grantees, peer funders and community leaders, driving thoughtful grant investments and convening influential networks to amplify collective impact.
- Lead and inspire effective environment program operations: Guide internal teams and external partners with a focus on operational excellence, team development and resource stewardship in service of environmental goals.
- Strengthen field leadership and influence: Represent the foundation in national conversations and sector-wide initiatives, bringing credibility and collaborative energy to efforts that shape environmental policy and practice.
- Catalyze organizational learning and innovation: Foster internal learning on conservation issues and support the evolution of foundation strategies through continuous feedback and implementation of relevant initiatives.
What You Bring
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience with the environment and conservation field.
- A track record of successful end-to-end project management.
- Proven versatility, flexibility and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and make sound decisions.
- Ability to strategize, conceptualize, plan and critically analyze grantmaking and other programmatic opportunities.
- Experience managing and leading teams within a program and across an organization.
- A track record of working cooperatively and positively with colleagues to drive results.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
- Comfort with and interest in using technology to enhance productivity.
- Graduate degree in environmental topics or equivalent experience in the field.
We recognize that not every candidate will meet every qualification listed. If you are passionate about our mission and believe you have the skills and experience to perform the essential functions of this role, we encourage you to apply.
What We Offer
- Anticipated salary range is $142,400 to $178,000. Final offer will depend on experience.
- Industry-leading benefits, including a 15% employer contribution to your 401(k), comprehensive health insurance, four weeks of paid vacation with additional paid time off, and matching gift benefits of up to $20,000 per year — all designed to support employees’ well-being, productivity and engagement.
- A values-driven culture rooted in integrity, excellence, collaboration, openness and imagination, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Our Values
The following values underpin everything we do in pursuit of our mission across the Doris Duke Foundation:
- Integrity: We must be honest and ethical in all that we undertake.
- Excellence: We insist on the highest standards of performance in fulfilling our mission.
- Openness and imagination: We value creativity and responsiveness to diverse perspectives.
- Collaboration: We promote trust, honesty and respect within our organization.
- Diversity, equity and inclusion: We commit to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
The Doris Duke Foundation is committed to inclusive hiring and equal employment opportunity. If a reasonable accommodation in the job application process is needed, please contact us here.