Chief Program Officer

Type of Position Full-time, exempt, regular 

Team Executive

Reports To Executive Director

Salary Range $202,812 - $241,552 based on experience

Tier Chief

Tier Description Sets organizational priorities & strategic vision; Manage multiple staff, contractors; Manage cross-team strategies; Lead a larger team; Set priorities for each team based on organization priorities; Fundraising; Manage organizational budgets and structure; Requires significant specialized experience in management, team leadership and in individual issue areas. Executive level, exempt.

Minimum Role-Specific Experience 12 years

Preferred People & Project Management Experience 7  years

About Climate Power

Climate Power is a strategic communications organization focused on winning the politics of climate. We’re educating Americans about our climate progress, highlighting how clean energy investments benefit local communities, and holding Big Oil accountable for polluting our air and water. We use data-backed messages to pave a path for bold action and shine a light on the price of ignoring the climate crisis would cost our health, economy, and future generations.

It’s our job to tell the story of how climate action and clean energy investment are rebuilding our economy, lowering energy costs, and protecting our planet for future generations. We call out disinformation from bad actors like the Big Oil lobby and make the climate stakes real for voters.  

About This Role

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Program Officer (CPO) will provide strategic leadership and oversight for all programmatic initiatives related to political climate communications. The CPO will play a central role in shaping and implementing programs that engage diverse audiences, advance policy goals, and drive systemic change on climate-related issues. They will be responsible for aligning program execution with organizational strategy, ensuring that programmatic work is integrated, agile, and results-driven. This position requires a strategic, adaptable leader who excels at building strong teams, driving impactful initiatives, managing through complexity, and leveraging innovative solutions to address the organization’s goals. The CPO will sit on the Executive Team and will work closely with the Chief Strategy Officer and other senior leaders to ensure that programs are aligned with organizational priorities and mission-driven outcomes. The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with deep knowledge of politics and climate issues, strong communication and management expertise, and the ability to navigate complex, evolving landscapes.

• Translate Climate Power’s strategic priorities into programmatic action, ensuring that initiatives are responsive to changing dynamics. 
• Lead the development and execution of the organization's program strategy, ensuring alignment with the mission, vision, and values. 
• Design and implement innovative programs focused on political climate communications that influence policy change and engage key stakeholders.
• Regularly assess the political landscape, adapting programming to respond to emerging issues, trends, and opportunities. 
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior leadership team to refine organizational goals and ensure programs contribute to long-term strategic objectives.

• Supervise and provide leadership to the program team, fostering an inclusive and high-performance work culture. 
• Cultivate a work environment that embraces collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to data-driven decision-making. 
• Support staff development through mentorship, professional growth opportunities, and performance management, ensuring a positive and effective team dynamic. 
• Model leadership that centers equity, inclusion, and accountability.

• Lead and support multiple department heads within the organization, focusing on effective collaboration across teams and impact. 
• Provide strategic guidance and oversight to directors and managers in areas such as policy advocacy, communications, and community engagement. 
• Foster a culture of accountability and high performance, setting clear expectations and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. 
• Promote cross-departmental collaboration to streamline workflows, share knowledge, and drive synergy in all organizational efforts. 
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with department leaders to ensure cohesive program execution and shared resources across the organization. 
• Support and guide department heads in resolving challenges, optimizing team structures, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

• Oversee systems for monitoring and evaluating program effectiveness, ensuring measurable impact in line with the organization’s goals. 
• Use data and feedback to refine programs and drive continuous improvement. 
• Ensure that all programs are managed effectively and deliver on key performance indicators, achieving desired outcomes.

• 10+ years of experience in program management, political communication, or related fields, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. 
• Proven experience in leading and executing high-impact programs focused on climate change, political communication, or public policy and advocacy.
• Strong understanding of political and climate issues, with a demonstrated ability to drive action and influence change in these areas. 
• Experience managing and mentoring teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• Ability to manage complex projects and programs in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. 
• Strong analytical skills and a data-driven approach to decision-making and program development. 
• Experience managing and leading multiple department heads to achieve organizational goals is essential. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders. 
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience working in diverse and inclusive environments. 
• Passion for the mission and goals of Climate Power, with a deep understanding of the intersection of politics and climate change.

Location & Hours of Operations

Climate Power is a remote-first organization based in Washington, DC. This position can be located anywhere in the United States, but must be able to work Monday - Friday, 9 am - 6 pm EST, plus weekends and evenings as the work dictates.

Compensation

Climate Power offers a competitive compensation package including an experience-based salary (please ensure that all relevant experience is included on your resume)  and comprehensive benefits, including the following:

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurances 

100% paid for employee 

50% for their dependents

Unlimited Paid Time off, including every other Friday and extended summer, fall, and winter breaks

401(k) with 5% match

Education Assistance, including student loan repayment program

Sabbatical Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Monthly Tech Allowance

Cell Phone Stipend

Work From Home Stipend, for home office furniture

Treat Yourself Fund

The terms of your benefits and any applicable waiting period(s) are governed by relevant plan documents and any and all applicable policies, and are subject to change or discontinuation by the organization.

Our Hiring Timeline and Process

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will continue to interview until the position is filled (posting will remain up until position filled).  

An ideal start date would be on or before July 14, 2025.

Our interview process generally involves 2 rounds of interviews, ranging in length from 30-60 minutes. All interviews will be conducted via Google Meets or Zoom. Successful candidates that move forward in the hiring process, will be invited to complete a skills assessment activity (for which they will receive compensation) and will undergo a vetting process, including reference and background check.

Climate Power is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, or sexual orientation. 

Additionally, Climate Power is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Climate Power will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview and hiring process. 

If reasonable accommodation is needed in the interview process, please [email protected]. Requests for updates in the hiring/interview process or other solicitations, should not be sent to this email.