Director of Program Innovation

Work on Climate; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

120 hours PTO annually

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with sustainable investments

Job summary

Work On Climate is seeking a Director of Program Innovation to lead development, experimentation, evaluation, and expansion of its programs. The role partners with the Executive Director to shape strategy, strengthen learning, and mobilize professionals for climate-positive change.

Primarily remote, open to US-based candidates with work authorization. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package and a pathway to scale impact as programs evolve and partnerships deepen across the climate

Qualifications

• Collaborative leadership: Experience bringing groups together around a shared vision in uncertain situations.
• Innovative program development: Record of leading early-stage program innovation to practical implementation.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Ability to work independently, think creatively, move quickly.
• People management: Experience managing diverse teams including volunteers.
• Operational leadership: Experience creating and improving processes and decision structures.
• Emotional intelligence: Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to development.
• Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication to various stakeholders.
• Continuous improvement: Proactive learner and promoter of better practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program strategy and development across Work On Climate's portfolio.
• Lead learning processes and strengthen organizational learning culture.
• Develop fast tests and experiments to evaluate new ideas.
• Collaborate with Executive Director, staff, partners, and volunteers.
• Initially combine facilitative leadership with direct individual contribution.

Skills

Collaborative leadership

Innovative program development

Entrepreneurial mindset

People management

Operational leadership

Emotional intelligence

Communication skills

Continuous improvement

Job description

Director of Program Innovation Job at Work On Climate – Remote Opportunity Paying $110,000–$125,000 Annually

Work On Climate is recruiting an experienced and innovative leader for the position of Director of Program Innovation. This is a senior-level opportunity for someone passionate about climate action, organizational development, regenerative economies, and designing innovative programs that create meaningful social and environmental change. The successful candidate will lead the development, experimentation, evaluation, and expansion of the organization's programs. Working directly with the Executive Director, the Director will help shape Work On Climate's program strategy, strengthen organizational learning, build partnerships, and develop new approaches to mobilizing professionals as agents of climate-positive change. The position is primarily remote but is strictly open to candidates based in the United States who have authorization to work in the US. Work On Climate cannot provide visa sponsorship. The annual salary ranges from $110,000 to $125,000, depending on the candidate's experience, suitability, and location.

Position Overview

Job Title: Director of Program Innovation

Organization: Work On Climate

Employment Type: Full-time (part-time start may be considered for the right candidate)

Location: Remote, United States only

Salary: $110,000–$125,000 per year

Reports To: Executive Director

Travel Requirements: Approximately 1–2 weeks per quarter

Priority Application Deadline: November 23, 2026

Application Method: Online application form

About Work On Climate

Work On Climate is a nonprofit organization working to mobilize people's professional skills and talents to help build a regenerative economy. The organization has developed one of the world's largest communities for professionals interested in contributing to climate-positive change through their careers. Its community includes more than 40,000 members, many of whom have secured employment, developed businesses, established professional relationships, and contributed to climate-related initiatives. However, Work On Climate's ambitions extend beyond helping people find climate-related jobs. The organization is developing an approach that encourages professionals to use their experience, networks, influence, and industry knowledge to advance broader systems change. Rather than limiting professional contributions to individual employment decisions, Work On Climate seeks to organize collective action through professional networks and workplace influence. Its long-term vision is to build a democratic force capable of strengthening regenerative economic systems and supporting climate movements. Read more about the organization's achievements in its 2025 Community Impact Report.

Purpose of the Director of Program Innovation Role

The Director of Program Innovation will lead the organization's program development and innovation process. This includes identifying opportunities and unmet needs, developing new program concepts, testing ideas, evaluating results, securing funding, and expanding successful initiatives. Because Work On Climate is developing a relatively new approach to climate action, the organization needs someone comfortable working through uncertainty, experimenting with different strategies, and translating promising ideas into practical programs. The successful candidate will have responsibility for ensuring that the organization's programs are relevant to the needs of the climate movement and deliver their intended outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Strategy and Development Oversee the overall direction and development of Work On Climate's program portfolio. Identify emerging opportunities, challenges, and unmet needs within the climate and regenerative economy sectors. Lead program conceptualization, research, experimentation, and pilot development. Evaluate program performance and identify opportunities for improvement, expansion, or redesign. Support successful initiatives through funding development, partnerships, scaling, and continuous evolution.
2. Organizational Learning and Improvement Lead organization-wide learning processes. Strengthen the team's learning culture, systems, and working practices. Integrate continuous learning into everyday organizational operations. Encourage reflection, experimentation, and the application of lessons from successful and unsuccessful initiatives. Help the organization adapt its programs and strategies as new information becomes available.
3. Innovation and Experimentation Develop creative and flexible program prototypes. Design and conduct rapid tests and experiments to assess new ideas. Undertake research to understand program opportunities and potential impact. Manage relationships with external design and implementation partners. Collaborate with other program staff to turn innovative concepts into workable initiatives.
4. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement Work closely with the Executive Director, program staff, board members, partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Bring together different perspectives, knowledge, creativity, and resources to strengthen program development. Facilitate collaboration across teams and organizational networks. Support shared decision-making and alignment around program priorities.
5. Team and Volunteer Leadership Initially, the position will combine facilitative leadership with substantial direct individual contributions within a relatively small team. As the organization expands, the Director's responsibilities may grow to include managing program staff and volunteer teams.

Required Experience and Candidate Profile

Work On Climate is seeking an entrepreneurial, adaptable, and experienced leader who can guide teams through uncertainty while turning ambitious ideas into practical results. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following qualities and experience:

• Collaborative leadership: Experience bringing groups of people together around a shared vision, particularly when working through complex or uncertain situations.
• Innovative program development: A demonstrated record of leading organizations through the early stages of program innovation, from initial concepts to practical implementation.
• Entrepreneurial mindset: Ability to work independently, think creatively, move quickly, and develop solutions with limited resources.
• People management: Significant experience managing different types of teams, including individual contributors, managers, and ideally volunteers.
• Operational leadership: Experience establishing and improving organizational processes, decision-making structures, accountability systems, team routines, and implementation practices.
• Emotional intelligence: Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities, with a commitment to continuous personal and professional development.
• Communication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas clearly to colleagues, community members, partners, and major funders.
• Continuous improvement: A proactive approach to learning, professional development, and introducing better practices that improve overall team performance.

The organization is particularly interested in candidates who have worked across different teams and networks, including within individual organizations and through partnerships involving multiple organizations.

Salary and Benefits

The Director of Program Innovation position offers an annual salary of: $110,000–$125,000, depending on experience, fit, and location.

• Paid sick leave.
• Paid holidays.
• 120 hours of paid time off accrued annually.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• A 401(k) retirement plan with sustainable investment options through Carbon Collective.

The organization also emphasizes a supportive working environment, high professional standards, respect for individual circumstances, and a healthy work-life balance.

Employment Location and Work Authorization

This is a remote position, but applicants must be based in the United States. Work On Climate has clearly stated that it cannot consider candidates who are located outside the US or who do not have US work authorization. The organization also cannot provide visa sponsorship. Although the role is full-time, the organization may consider beginning with a part-time arrangement for an especially suitable candidate. Some travel may be required, estimated at approximately one to two weeks per quarter.

Application and Recruitment Process

Work On Climate aims to make its recruitment process transparent, respectful, and supportive of applicants. The selection process includes:

• Completion of a brief online application form.
• An initial screening interview.
• Two to three additional interviews, including a take-home assignment.
• Reference checks.

The organization reviews applications directly rather than relying on automated applicant-tracking systems or AI screening. Applicants are therefore encouraged to communicate their experience and qualifications authentically rather than focusing on inserting keywords into their resumes. Candidates will generally receive information in advance about the subject and purpose of their interviews. Work On Climate will also compensate candidates for the time spent completing the take-home assignment. Further details will be provided to applicants who reach that stage. The organization aims to provide feedback on applications and interviews within 7–10 days, usually sooner. Applicants who have not received an update may contact [e-mail] using the subject line Application status? Candidates who progress beyond the initial screening interview may also request specific feedback. For finalists, Work On Climate may provide additional career support through professional introductions within its network or by highlighting their profiles on the organization’s social media platforms, subject to their permission.