Program Manager, Global Strategic Partnerships

Project Drawdown seeks a climate science professional with world-class project management skills to serve as Program Manager for a new initiative. Project Drawdown is the world’s leading guide to science-based climate solutions. This new role offers the opportunity to contribute to truly ambitious climate work - with the potential to help inform and/or influence billions of dollars of climate funding.

The Program Manager will contribute to science-based thought leadership content and training programs, manage cross-team project plans and budgets, and coordinate relationships and contracts with external partners and funders. We are seeking a strategic collaborator with a proven track record of aligning projects with long-term measurable outcome objectives. 

About Project Drawdown

Project Drawdown is the world’s leading guide for science-based climate solutions.

We are an independent, internationally trusted organization driving bold, science-based approaches to stop climate change.

Our work is built on three pillars:

• SCIENCE - Advancing Science-Based Climate Solutions and Strategies. First, we conduct cutting-edge research to identify the best possible climate solutions and design the most effective strategies to bring them to scale. Then, we share our findings with the world through effective science communication, marketing campaigns, and media partnerships.
• STAKEHOLDERS - Engaging Key Stakeholders and Empowering Bold Climate Leadership. Next, we use our science to inform, inspire, and empower key stakeholders and emerging climate leaders – including policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, investors, business leaders, and others - to take bold action and bring the most effective solutions to the world.
• STORIES - Telling Human Stories of Solutions in Action. Finally, we use the power of storytelling to help shift the narrative on climate change – from problem to solution and from “doom and gloom” to “opportunity and possibility.” Along the way, we showcase new climate heroes putting solutions into action.

In short, we believe that rigorous science is needed to guide climate action. And we believe that this science must be shared in actionable, compelling ways – through stakeholder engagement and powerful storytelling. Our job is to make this happen.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Global Strategic Partnerships with a dotted-line to the Senior Analyst, the Program Manager will collaborate extensively across Project Drawdown and with an expanding portfolio of global partners. In a fast-paced, matrixed environment, this role will serve as the coordination hub of the new initiative–ensuring projects move forward on time, on budget, and aligned with long-term strategy.

The Project Manager will have the following responsibilities:

• Project Management & Team Coordination
  • Collaborate with the Director to implement an adaptive strategy for the initiative, maintaining a strategic and impact-focused approach.
  • Manage project plans, ensuring deliverables are completed on time, on budget, with integrity, and to the delight of the organization, funders, and partners.
  • Manage systems for collecting and analyzing outcome and impact data.
• Strategic Partnerships Management
  • Support trust-based, impact-focused relationships with global partners.
  • Coordinate cross-partnership workstreams, budgets, meetings, MOUs, and communication.
  • Manage CRM data on partners, donors, and contracts.
• Strategic Communications & Marketing
  • Serve as the team’s communications lead in collaboration with the Marketing & Communications Team.
  • Contribute to and manage the launch of external-facing content, including reports, platforms, portfolios, events, websites/webpages, training programs, and other thought leadership content – in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team.
  • Contribute to and manage compelling impact communications for external audiences, initiative donors, and other key stakeholders – in collaboration with the Development and Marketing and Communications teams.
• Systems & Internal Communications
  • Contribute to policies, contracts, processes, and other internal systems.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Analyst to implement a recruiting strategy to reach time-bound recruitment goals for partners and advisees.
  • Be part of our “One Drawdown” culture, working effectively across the entire organization.
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, encouraging innovation, accountability, and a high standard of excellence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Project Drawdown welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs to join us in stopping climate change quickly, safely, and equitably. We are a 100% remote organization based in the United States.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, the Program Manager will have:

• Bachelor’s degree (required) and Master’s degree (preferred) in a relevant field of science or engineering.
• Project management certification preferred.
• 4+ years of experience managing and/or leading related work. Experience with a nonprofit and/or philanthropic organization is a plus.
• Strong technical understanding of climate change science.
• Understanding of climate philanthropy (and potentially also private investing).
• Demonstrated expertise in managing complex projects in a fast-paced remote environment leading to measurable outcomes.
• Specific talent for aligning teamwork with long-term outcome goals and strategy with expertise in Gantt charts, MOCHA or similar frameworks, and budget coordination.
• Experience collaborating with strategic partners and/or clients, including relationship management, MOUs, and recruitment.
• Exceptional writing and content production skills with the ability to contribute to world-class thought leadership content.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to tailor to specific audiences.
• Independent, self-starter able to achieve goals with limited oversight and guidance.
• Collaborative, strategic, solution-oriented, and highly organized.
• Meticulous attention to detail, particularly on documents and scheduling logistics.
• Sound judgment with the ability to prioritize and make decisions.
• Passion for climate solutions and a commitment to advancing the Project Drawdown mission.
• Understanding of and appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and experience fostering a welcoming team environment.

In addition, candidates are required to be:

• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Fluent in English.
• Comfortable with teleconferencing, project management tools, collaborative work environments, remote work, and virtual collaboration.
• Available to participate in online meetings and video conferences on weekdays 11:00 am–4:00 pm Central Time US.
• Experience with Mac-based computing environment.
• Able to use Google Suite, Asana, Slack, and presentation software (Keynote preferred) for delivering individual work products and collaborative projects.
• Available for domestic and international travel.

Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, and BIPOC candidates are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet all of the qualifications listed in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, while finding the best candidates for the job. These candidates may be ones who come from less traditional backgrounds, and that’s okay. So, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet all of the qualifications described.

Position Details and How to Apply

This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits based on a 40-hour work week. The salary range for this position is $95,000-115,000 / year. We work hard to ensure our salaries are competitive with leading nonprofits in major cities across America. In addition, Project Drawdown provides exceptional benefits, including generous time off, health insurance, and a matching 401k.

As with all positions at Project Drawdown, this role will be 100% remote. Employees can work anywhere within the United States with a reliable, high-speed internet connection. Candidates currently authorized to work in the United States (U.S. Citizens, green card holders, and work visa holders) who reside anywhere in the U.S. may apply. Employees are expected to attend a yearly in-person team meeting. Other travel will be required.

To be considered for this position, submit your application at https://form.jotform.com/252896558729176, including the following items:

• Cover Letter describing your experience and fit for this role. Please briefly describe your experience with climate change science, your experience managing projects and building strategic partnerships, and your experience with impact tracking, specifically noting the methods you have used.
• Most recent resume or CV
• One writing sample: Provide a PDF of a recent writing sample you personally wrote.
• One work sample: Provide a PDF of an example of thought leadership content (such as reports, web platforms, portals, and/or data visualizations) to which you have directly contributed. Please clarify what your specific role was in the work.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by November 7, 2025. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to provide three professional references.

Project Drawdown is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Project Drawdown does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by law, and we will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We strongly encourage all qualified persons currently authorized to work in the United States to apply for this position. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and the organization’s needs.

To uphold our commitment to equity and ensure a fair hiring process for all applicants, we don’t conduct individual informational interviews related to open positions. However, we encourage you to review our website and the job posting carefully for more details about our work, culture, and the skills we are seeking.

For more information, contact us at jobs@drawdown.org