- Location: Work from anywhere in the United States; option to work remote or in business office (Newton, MA); when remote, required to work from a private location over a secure network when handling personal or other sensitive information (public Wi-Fi and location not allowed when handling this type of information).
- Hours: 40 hours per week. Schedule flexible outside core hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday, Eastern Time
- Position Type: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried
- Department: Program Delivery
- Reporting to: Director of Programs
- Direct Reports: 0–3 Program Coordinators, dependent on organizational need and experience
- Salary Grade: c14 to c26 ($52,530–$61,800)
About Earthwatch
For more than 50 years, Earthwatch has connected people from around the planet with world-class scientists to help change environmental policies, achieve critical conservation goals, and produce groundbreaking findings. We support real objective scientific fieldwork while connecting people to the environment in a personal and often profound way. Our participants contribute directly to urgent global environmental issues and have the adventure of a lifetime in the process.
Our team genuinely believes in our mission. The work we do isn’t just a job; it’s about ensuring a brighter future for our planet. We are passionate, committed to excellence, and supportive of one another—and we love science! Plus, we occasionally get to go out into the field to collect data and be a part of cutting-edge hands-on field science.
Earthwatch is a remote first company with 80% of staff working fully remote.
Position Summary
The Program Manager (PM) role is key to the successful delivery of the Earthwatch mission. At Earthwatch, PMs are responsible for managing partner relationships and delivering programs to time, budget, global mission priorities and protocols and a high standard of quality. PMs hold responsibility for the management and delivery of a portfolio of field research projects, grant programs, or a combination of both.
Responsibilities
Note: Specific tasks, projects and programs are distributed across Program Managers as needed for organizational effectiveness.
Grant Management
For a portfolio of programs, funded by individuals, foundations, corporations, or other partners:
- Provide excellent relationship management with funding partners, in collaboration with the Development team
- Manage all aspects of funded program delivery to a high standard, including:
- Establishing clear program goals, objectives, deliverables, and delivery timeline
- Agreeing and managing appropriate partner communication and reporting processes
- Creating and managing grant budgets; approving and tracking all associated expenses
- Collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, such as scientists and Environmental Education Manager, to deliver successful virtual and in-person learning programs for a range of participants (primarily corporate audiences).
- Monitoring program impacts using surveys and other tools, and communicating results to funders through the creation of high-quality reports
- Delivering in-field programs, as required, and depending on experience.
- Supporting the expansion of programs to other audiences including teachers, students, scientists, NGOs, universities, corporations, and foundations
- Work closely with the Development team on the creation and renewal of funded programs, including:
- Supporting the writing of grant proposals
- Seeking ways to align mission and funder priorities for mutual benefit
- Providing feedback on new program ideas, particularly in the areas of program cost, resource utilization, and interaction with existing programs
Research Project Management
For a portfolio of participatory science projects, including Global Pollinator Watch and a community-based air quality monitoring project:
- Serve as the primary liaison between Earthwatch and the project scientists, acting as the ‘go to’ contact point and advocate for each project
- Manage all aspects of project delivery to a high standard, including:
- Finances—program/project budgets, scientist, and partner payments
- Logistics
- Health and safety—risk assessments, emergency response plans, etc.
- Contract negotiation, including setting annual team dates and budgets
- Site visits, as required and depending on experience
- Training project and Earthwatch staff on Earthwatch protocols as needed
- Create and annually revise detailed expedition Briefings to disclose risk, describe research and prepare volunteers for fielding
- Develop, renew, and retire projects in accordance with Earthwatch protocols and industry standards
- Provide internal evaluation and feedback on each project
- Work closely with the Research, Communications, and Sales teams to support each project’s success
Incident Management
- Serve as an active member of the International Incident Management Team
- Promote a culture of safety internally and externally
- Serve as 24-hour on call Duty Officer 3–6 weeks per year
- Coordinate incident management associated with projects managed; participate in incident management for other programs as needed.
Line Management
- As needed and depending on experience, PMs may manage direct reports, such as Program Coordinator(s), consultants, interns, or volunteers. Line management responsibilities include recruiting, retaining, and developing talent; setting clear objectives and giving constructive feedback; engaging and inspiring them around Earthwatch’s mission and business goals.
Requirements
- Bachelors’ degree (science, environmental studies, international business, non-profit management, or related field preferred) or equivalent life experience
- 3–5 years of experience in NGO sector, including working globally across regions
- Experience in corporate social responsibility and/or administration of community-based programming
- Proven track record in managing complex projects and programs
- Ability to communicate with and develop good relationships at all levels, presenting information in varying degrees of technicality/ detail as the audience dictates
- Excellent written communication skills in English, and ability to communicate effectively with remote audiences (PIs, partners, and colleagues)
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with colleagues in a remote environment
- Ability to find creative ideas and solutions which overcome obstacles and add value
- Ability to manage one’s time, meet deadlines and set priorities
- Commitment to Earthwatch’s mission and values
- Experience with Microsoft Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) a plus
- Fluency/High level of proficiency in another language (particularly Spanish) a plus
- Ability to travel 1–2 weeks per year preferred
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Earthwatch, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Company Benefits
- 401k retirement plan with 4% employer match
- Health insurance with health reimbursement, dental, and vision insurance and flexible spending accounts
- 100% employer paid life, long term disability and accidental death & dismemberment insurance, employee assistance program, and short-term disability insurance
- 20 days paid time off to start: 13 paid holidays (pro-rated for part-time staff)
- Up to 6 months of parental leave, including 2–12 weeks paid leave based on tenure)
- Professional development opportunities include mentor program, internal and external training, professional development grant program, conferences and more
To apply, please submit one document in the resume field below containing all of the following items.
- A cover letter illustrating your qualifications and why you are interested in this position
- A current resume, detailing relevant experience
No phone calls please: Due to limited resources, we are only able to accept applicants who are already eligible to work in the United States.
Earthwatch is an equal opportunity employer. We are seeking individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and change-making. Opportunities are provided to all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national or regional origin, age, disability status, military or veteran status, or any other category protected by law.
Background checks: May be required for some roles, including but not limited to roles working with minors and/or with human resource, finance, or information technology responsibilities.
COVID vaccinations: Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is required for: employees or interns to enter the physical office, conduct travel for Earthwatch, and/or meet in person with Earthwatch employees, interns, or other constituents.
