Program Director, Environment

Environmental funding, philanthropy Position Program Director, Environment Organization The Hilary & Galen Weston Foundation Location Toronto, Ontario Position details Full Time, Permanent Reports to Executive Director Website The organization The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation (HGWF) empowers passionate leaders to build thriving communities and regenerate ecosystems, by nurturing innovation and scaling proven solutions to deliver transformative change. Its grantmaking supports organizations focused on the environment, neurodegenerative diseases of aging, youth, and humanitarian crises. Based on recent strategic planning, and recognizing the connections between human health, thriving communities, and rich biodiversity, approximately 25% of the HGWF’s granting will be devoted to the environment, with two focus areas: urban greenspaces across Canada and freshwater and estuaries in Atlantic Canada. The position In this newly created role, the Program Director, Environment (“Program Director”) will report to the Executive Director and will be responsible for developing and executing the HGWF’s strategies in two areas: Urban Greenspace: supporting accessible parks, inclusive programming, and community-led stewardship so more people – especially those historically underserved – are connected with nature, leading to healthier communities, richer biodiversity, and more equitable access to greenspaces across Canada. Freshwater / Estuarine Ecosystems in Atlantic Canada: supporting the restoration and stewardship of freshwater and estuarine habitats through Indigenous-led conservation, community-based action, and catalytic investments, leading to thriving Atlantic Canada ecosystems and communities. Strategic Development & Program Design Develop ambitious philanthropic strategies and funding programs. Develop, maintain, codify, and communicate understanding and knowledge of the HGWF’s environmental funding. Use subject-matter expertise to help identify potential new opportunities. Champion the creation of appropriate monitoring and evaluative metrics and approaches for programs, projects, and activities. Support the Executive Director in ongoing HGWF-wide strategic framework. Grants Management Manage portfolios of grants, including monitoring and measuring impact, analyzing reports to ensure appropriate financial management and deliverables, and reviewing grant payments. Coordinate and support the assessment of proposals to the HGWF, analyzing their quality, potential impact, program alignment and organizational viability; obtaining appropriate expert advice and references; helping to reach a funding judgement through development and implementation of expert reviews; and handling relationships throughout the process. Serve on grantee steering committees and advisory groups and assist grantees with the development of strategies, as appropriate. Ensure the operational effectiveness and efficiency of granting processes, including identifying and implementing process improvements. Relationship Management Manage and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the HGWF’s Directors, other HGWF and enterprise colleagues, contractors, advisors, prospective and current grantees, and government or community representatives. Convene multi-stakeholder groups to engage and build a constructive dialogue, including the planning, coordination, execution, and facilitation of convening activities (e.g., workshops, forums, speaker events, and webinars). Communicate with prospective and current grantees to manage expectations, provide clear guidelines, provide advice, raise concerns or awareness, and celebrate successes Attend relevant events, conferences, etc. to enhance knowledge or represent the HGWF, as appropriate. Operations Organize and maintain meticulous records of the HGWF’s environmental grants, activities, and impact. Support the development of agendas and generate materials for Grants Meetings. Draft, negotiate, and finalize relevant grant-making materials (e.g., grant agreements), effectively liaising with legal counsel as necessary. Track grant payments against budgets. Communications Generate materials for external communications, including: The HGWF’s website Press releases Social media Third-party communications projects Candidate Qualifications An advanced degree in a related field, such as; urban planning, ecology/biodiversity, conservation, water and natural resources management or experiential equivalent. Minimum five years in a leadership role in a related field, with a preference for environmental grantmaking and a proven background in developing new strategies and programs. Demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen, bringing new ideas from concept to implementation, and adapting to changing needs as projects evolve. Experience and understanding of grant-making and program design. Experience