Foundation for America's Public Lands - Chief Program Officer - Cause Capacity

Washington, DC 20001

About the Job

About the Foundation:

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands is a pioneering startup on a mission to support the sustainability of our public lands and waters. Chartered by Congress, we are the official charitable partner of the Bureau of Land Management with a pivotal mission: to connect us to our public lands and waters and sustain these special places for the benefit of present and future generations.

Standing on the cusp of an exciting chapter, we are set to become a cornerstone institution, working in close partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and a strong network of local to national stakeholders who share our vision. Our work is ambitious, impactful, and essential – and we are building the inaugural team who will be critical to shaping the Foundation’s future.

With co-headquarters in Grand Junction, CO, and Washington, DC, the Foundation is poised for growth and to have a substantial impact on the future of our nation’s public lands and waters. Discover more about our mission and how you can contribute to this groundbreaking journey at.

What We’re Looking For:

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is a visionary leader responsible for shaping and implementing pivotal strategic program initiatives. In this role you will have oversight of grantmaking, including building the grantmaking model and identifying partners for inaugural grants. Additionally, you will manage state and federal government relations, community engagement, and program development. With an intimate understanding of the unique challenges and multi-faceted uses of our public lands and waters, this role is key to developing a focused program agenda, engaging stakeholders, and driving strategies that advance the Foundation’s mission.

The ideal candidate has subject matter expertise in conservation, outdoor recreation, and/or restoration with a strong background in science and respected connections on Capitol Hill. As CPO you will own and drive the development, implementation, and prioritization of the Foundation’s Program Agenda. You will also lead the creation and development of innovative bipartisan solutions that engage stakeholders and foster new partnerships. As a member of the Executive Team, you will be an important liaison between the Foundation and BLM, and instrumental in setting fundraising priorities. Success in this role will stem from being deeply solutions-oriented and well-respected with funders and policymakers, having a solid track record of impact, and the ability to translate and scale big ideas into actionable strategies for a growing startup organization.

What You’ll Do:

Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive program agenda.
Grantmaking: Design and implement innovative grantmaking strategies, build the grantmaking model, and identify partners for inaugural grants.
Programs: Oversee the development and implementation of both strategic and tactical programs that align with the Foundation’s goals and mission.
Team Management: Recruit, lead, and mentor a high-performing team.
Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with federal and state policymakers and partners, as well as the general public.
Community Leadership: Create a collaborative culture with external stakeholders and the BLM for ideas, solutions, learning, and input that informs agendas without making promises
Policy and Advocacy: Address complex policy issues and work towards bipartisan solutions.
Creative Problem-Solving: Innovate and implement ideas for organizational growth and impact.

Immediate Priorities will include:

Create and implement a strategic program agenda.
Build and organize a high-performing team.
Develop and maintain networks and partnerships.
Identify and secure funding pathways.
Manage divisive issues with balanced solutions.

Requirements

What You’ll Bring:

10+ years of experience working in government, a conservation NGO, or an environmentally-focused grant-making organization
Passion for public lands and a genuine connection to conservation and resilience building, with deep expertise in public lands, recreation, conservation, and/or restoration
Extensive background in science and public policy.
Proven track record of significant accomplishments and strategic leadership at a fast-growing organization, including fundraising.
Significant experience in both strategic planning and managing large-scale projects or grants, preferably in conservation or a related field.
Collaborative mindset with a drive for innovative solutions.
A network of bipartisan stakeholders, influencers, and interest groups with strong connections to the Foundation’s mission
Experience in supporting new and emerging work in the field through capacity-building programming.
Demonstrated success as a builder and operator in a startup environment.
Visionary leadership, adaptability, and strong problem-solving capabilities.
Strong capability to motivate and integrate diverse efforts towards common goals.
Familiarity with the mission, lands, and operation of the BLM or other federal resource agency.
Ability to travel up to 50%

Benefits

What Makes This Role Exciting:

We are building a culture of bipartisanship and solutions-oriented action. Our team is dedicated to finding common ground and practical solutions to support our public land and waters. In this role you will have:

Impact and Influence: Shape significant initiatives that benefit the full, multi-use spectrum of stakeholders and interest groups who depend and value public lands and waters managed by the BLM.
Critical Strategic Role: Develop foundational strategies from the ground up that will serve as the North Star for this important work.
Growth and Leadership: Unique opportunity to influence the Foundation’s direction and build networks for its continued success today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Why Join Us?

The Foundation for America’s Public Lands offers an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a pioneering team dedicated to preserving and enhancing America’s public lands and waters. You’ll be stepping into a role where you can truly make a difference, setting the direction for a foundation that will leave a lasting legacy. If you’re ready to build something groundbreaking and leave your mark on conservation, we’d love to hear from you!

Benefits

Group medical/vision/dental benefits with 100% employer contribution for employees and 75% contribution for dependents; life insurance; 401k retirement savings plan; and generous holiday and paid time off policies.

10+ years of experience working in government, a conservation NGO, or an environmentally-focused grant-making organization Passion for public lands and a genuine connection to conservation and resilience building, with deep expertise in public lands, recreation, conservation, and/or restoration Extensive background in science and public policy. Proven track record of significant accomplishments and strategic leadership at a fast-growing organization, including fundraising. Significant experience in both strategic planning and managing large-scale projects or grants, preferably in conservation or a related field. Collaborative mindset with a drive for innovative solutions. A network of bipartisan stakeholders, influencers, and interest groups with strong connections to the Foundation’s mission. Experience in supporting new and emerging work in the field through capacity-building programming. Demonstrated success as a builder and operator in a startup environment. Visionary leadership, adaptability, and strong problem-solving capabilities. Strong capability to motivate and integrate diverse efforts towards common goals. Familiarity with the mission, lands, and operation of the BLM or other federal resource agency. Ability to travel up to 50%

Source : Cause Capacity