Senior Program Manager

Background

Vere Initiatives is a philanthropy that invests in high-potential environmental solutions—particularly ocean conservation, energy transition, and regenerative agriculture—by partnering with exceptional leaders, supporting science and policy, and catalyzing early-stage initiatives with the potential for lasting, systemic impact.

Vere Initiatives is a philanthropic organization established in 2022 by Natasha and Dirk Ziff with a mission to create and inspire change that meaningfully benefits the future of the planet.

Vere Initiatives work is primarily focused on:

• Environmental conservation and biodiversity, especially ocean health and resilient/regenerative agriculture
• Backing high-potential, early-stage initiatives where strategic funding can catalyze outsized impact
• Supporting science, policy, communications, and community engagement as complementary levers for systemic environmental change
• Building partnerships with exceptional leaders and other funders to amplify impact and avoid duplication of effort

Purpose of role

Vere Initiatives seeks a Senior Program Manager to support its dynamic and responsive climate strategy. The Program Manager will work closely with the Executive Director to build strategic frameworks, conduct research and diligence, recommend grants, manage nonprofit partnerships, and deepen the team’s knowledge of new and existing topics in fields including but not limited to oceans, agriculture, and energy transition.

In addition to an extraordinary analytical skill set, Vere is looking for a team member that instinctively understands why our approach is rooted in people, potential, and partnership. Systems change thinking and analysis is prioritized, including identifying levers across impact investing, policy, and communications. The Senior Program Manager will be joining a small, collaborative team that enjoys working with and learning from others, identifying and investigating challenging issues, and creating lasting change.

Primary responsibilities

The job holder will have the following key responsibilities:

• Contribute to the evolution of Vere’s overall climate strategy
• Develop and manage defined grant portfolios
• Long-form research projects to develop and present ideas for grantmaking initiatives and impact investments that further Vere’s climate strategy
• Short-form research projects to respond to timely opportunities and/or early-stage interest
• Track and provide proactive updates on assigned topics, policies, geographies, breaking news, etc.
• Develop new and deepen existing relationships with leading experts, nonprofit partners, and peer funders across new and existing issues
• Identify areas of overlap between Vere Initiatives and Vere Ventures to increase collaboration and efficiency
• Synthesize and present information to the Vere Principals and Executives
• Development and oversight of a climate grant making MEL process
• Co-manage weekly impact committee meetings, including agenda development and tracking team tasks
• Occasional domestic and international travel will be required for this role

Profile

The following offers an aspirational view of our ideal candidate profile; however, we encourage applications from candidates with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups.

Skills & Experience

• 4+ years in a relevant climate field preferred
• Passionate, proactive, and curious about impactful and innovative solutions within the climate space
• Ability to develop and maintain issue area expertise across diverse topics and represent Vere publicly on these topics
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and experience, including the ability to conduct discrete, fact-finding interviews and summarize large amounts of information
• Familiarity with and/or interest in AI-powered research and systems preferred
• Attention to detail and good judgement
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to anticipate needs and act proactively
• Desire to create a warm atmosphere and positive experience for others
• Highly resourceful team-player with the ability to be effective independently and complete projects with minimal oversight
• Consistent accuracy, careful attention to detail and the ability to multitask and organize many complex assignments
• Compliance with and sensitivity to confidentiality across all aspects of working in a family office setting

To apply for the post

To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and how you fulfil the requirements set out in the job announcement. Please ensure you send your CV and Cover letter in the following format: full_name_CV_org_name_role and full_name_role_CL.

If you have any questions about the role or organisation and would like an informal chat ahead of submitting a formal application, please reach out to Tricia Placido at tricia@upsallinternational.com. Please note: to ensure the security of your application and to ensure that your data complies with GDPR regulations, applications via email will not be accepted.

• The deadline for applications is Monday 7^th of September, 9:00 am CET ·

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Upsall International actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion. In recruiting candidates, we seek candidates with the proven skills required, irrespective of race, gender, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation.