Open Positions

Platform for Agriculture + Climate Transformation (PACT)
Markets Program Director
Remote
                                   
  
About PACT:
  
The Platform for Agriculture and Climate Transformation (PACT) is an independent donor collaborative supported by 15 funders, some of which include the Walton Family Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. PACT is a philanthropic initiative that seeks to advance climate-smart and regenerative agriculture as a meaningful solution to the climate crisis. PACT works to scale effective climate solutions and support innovation where needed – bringing coordination and capacity to expand the impact of existing philanthropy through markets, policy advocacy, and individual farmer action. PACT deploys a wide array of tools, including grantmaking, coalition-building, and other forms of collaboration, to support federal and state policy, public-private partnerships, on-the-ground projects, new technologies, and innovative research to bring lasting science-based solutions to scale. To learn more, visit www.ag-climate.org.
  
Role:
  
PACT’s Markets Program invests in local and national organizations to leverage corporate sustainability commitments and unlock market opportunities that build capacity and bridge gaps toward an equitable transition to climate-smart and regenerative agriculture.
  
The Director will lead Markets Program strategy development, partner engagement, and overall grantmaking and portfolio management to advance the role of markets and the ag supply chain in addressing the climate crisis. The Director will identify and assess approaches and opportunities to create and amplify clear market signals, drive demand for climate-smart agricultural products by the private sector and create economic value for US farmers and ranchers.  They will serve as an ambassador for PACT, building our network of private, public, and philanthropic partners, advocates, and leaders who are developing market-based solutions to curb U.S. agriculture’s contributions to the climate crisis.
  
The Markets Director will collaborate with PACT’s Executive Director and Program Directors to provide thought leadership and champion continuous learning that advance collective impact among our funders, partners and the philanthropic community as a whole.
  
The ideal candidate for this position will have direct experience working on sustainable agriculture supply chains, ecosystem services, or sustainable finance. They are mission-driven and will have deep interest in and commitment to strategies that reduce the climate impacts of producing and selling food in the U.S. while enabling rural communities to thrive in the face of climate impacts.
  
The position will report to PACT’s Executive Director and will work closely and in collaboration with PACT’s program team. 
  
Responsibilities:
Establish PACT’s Markets Program

• Develop, implement, and assess grantmaking and partnership strategies to amplify private sector financing to accelerate the transition to climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices and technologies at a national scale
• Prepare and manage internal and external materials regarding PACT’s Markets Program including strategy documents, impact evaluation and reporting, grant summaries, and external presentations

  
Coalition Building and Philanthropic Leadership

• Acting as a thought leader and convener, establish and engage a network of aligned peer funders, partners, and leaders in the climate-smart agriculture space whose input can inform and evolve PACT’s strategies over time
• Evaluate progress and assess impact on a regular basis with an eye to continuous improvement and adaptive management
• Track and communicate developments/trends in the sector and field, and present updates to PACT’s Advisory Committee and broader network

  
Strategic Grantmaking

• Identify emerging needs and gaps in the field and source “best-fit” opportunities for PACT’s Markets grantmaking portfolio through consistent engagement with peer funders, partners, and grantees
• Develop funding recommendations that are supported by thorough vetting and due diligence analyses for grantmaking opportunities that advance PACT’s goals and invest in critical capacities in the field
• Build, nurture, and manage relationships with PACT’s grantees to provide guidance, thought partnership, and connections to others in the field
• Work with PACT program team to develop approaches and criteria for program measurement and evaluation to inform PACT’s grantmaking strategies

  
Qualifications:
  
PACT is looking for a bold, visionary leader and sharp strategist who can grow our Markets program from the ground up and serve as a resource to others in the philanthropic, financial, public, and advocacy sectors on how markets can accelerate an equitable and just transition to climate-smart agriculture. The role requires a balance of self-directed leadership and intentional collaboration. PACT seeks to recruit individuals with demonstrated capacity in positive interpersonal relationships, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team. 
  
The Director of Markets should ideally possess the following professional qualifications:
  

• At least 10 years of experience working on agricultural supply chain sustainability, either in or with food companies, agribusiness, or in related roles supporting ecosystem markets or sustainable finance in an US agriculture context
• Understands the art and science of sparking diverse and inclusive collaborations that span a wide range of partners and priorities across the public and private sectors
• Demonstrated ability to develop and present a cogent strategy and execute against it
• Strong research, writing, and analytical capabilities, including the ability to distill and communicate complex issues concisely
• Excellent verbal and written communication with a variety of audiences, able to credibly represent PACT with senior stakeholders
• Self-starter who is comfortable working in a flexible environment where priorities can shift quickly
• Strong ability to build rapport and feed and maintain critical relationships
• Detail-oriented with strong project management skills
• Strategic, proactive, and critical thinker who flourishes with minimal guidance
• Willingness to perform duties across all aspects of PACT’s grantmaking operations
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
• Passion for, and baseline knowledge of, social impact related to climate change and agriculture
• Knowledge and interest of business, political, and policy environment and how it impacts potential partners’ priorities, motivations, and needs
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

  
Salary:
  

• $175,000 to $225,000. This represents the present low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience.

  
To Apply: 
  
Please submit a resume by October 31, 2024 via the Apply Now button below. All submissions will be held in the strictest confidence.
PACT actively seeks to expand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within our organization and through our work. We encourage people of color and candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply.