Remote Environmental Sustainability Program Director

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking an experienced Program Director for Environmental Sustainability to lead and execute strategic environmental initiatives nationwide. This role is fully remote and requires strong governance, stakeholder engagement, and long-term program leadership.

You will oversee budgets, cultivate partnerships with government, NGOs and corporate partners, and guide a distributed team of program managers to deliver measurable environmental impact across the country.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Conservation Biology, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in environmental program management, policy, or advocacy with leadership.
• Proven success in developing and implementing large-scale environmental initiatives.
• Budget management, fundraising, and partnership development experience.
• Exceptional leadership and remote team management skills.
• Strong understanding of South African environmental policy and conservation strategies.
• Ability to think strategically and translate ideas into actionable plans.
• Proficiency with project management tools and virtual collaboration platforms.
• Passion for environmental sustainability and conservation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for environmental sustainability programs.
• Oversee planning, execution, and evaluation of environmental initiatives aligned to organizational goals.
• Manage program budgets, resources and personnel.
• Build and maintain relationships with government, NGOs, communities, and corporate partners.
• Lead a remote team of program managers and specialists.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships.
• Monitor environmental trends and policy developments and advise strategy.
• Represent the organization in forums, conferences, and public discussions.
• Ensure effective communication and reporting on progress and impact to stakeholders.
• Drive innovation and best practices in conservation and sustainability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Remote team management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Project management tools

Virtual collaboration

Budget management

Fundraising

Stakeholder engagement

Policy knowledge

Education

Master's or PhD in Environmental Science/Management/Conservation

Job description

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking an experienced Program Director for Environmental Sustainability to lead and execute strategic environmental initiatives nationwide. This role is fully remote and requires strong governance, stakeholder engagement, and long-term program leadership.

You will oversee budgets, cultivate partnerships with government, NGOs and corporate partners, and guide a distributed team of program managers to deliver measurable environmental impact across the country.