Vice President, Programs

Rainier Climate is a new philanthropic organization focused on addressing climate change. Co-founded by Sam Ballmer, Connie Ballmer, and Steve Ballmer in 2024, Rainier Climate will focus on providing philanthropic funding to non-government organizations pursuing strategies that operate at the speed and scale needed to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions. As it scales to become one of the largest climate philanthropies globally, Rainier anticipates supporting work in many parts of the world and on a range of strategies such as forests and land use, clean energy, clean transportation, industrial decarbonization, energy efficiency, and super pollutants. The organization also anticipates supporting work in climate cross-cutting areas such as strategic communications, climate finance, legal, movement building, advocacy, and public policy. The Opportunity As Rainier Climate continues to build its team in Bellevue, Washington, we are launching the search for its inaugural Vice President of Programs. Rainier is taking on one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time with a global lens and an unusually broad field of play. Its work spans multiple geographies, sectors, strategic levers, and cross-cutting approaches. This is a rare opportunity to help shape how significant philanthropic capital is deployed at the depth, breadth, and pace required by the climate crisis. It is a role for a senior leader who is energized by big strategic questions and systems-level change, but equally motivated to roll up their sleeves with a small, high-caliber team to drive a funding strategy positioned at the pinnacle of the funder ecosystem and capable of making outsized global impact. Reporting to and working closely with the President, the VP will translate organization-wide strategy into ambitious portfolio plans, clear outcomes, and disciplined execution across the program team in service of Rainier’s mission to address climate change. Partnering with the President to shape and refine Rainier’s strategic approach, the VP will help ensure alignment with the Cofounders, organizational goals, and emerging opportunities. This role is designed to lead cross-portfolio coordination, program execution, and support the development of high-quality grant recommendations to the Cofounders and President. Serving as a thought partner to the President and to the Program Directors, the VP will assess what is and is not working across portfolios, identify needed adjustments or pivots, surface risks and tradeoffs, and ensure quality of execution across the team. The VP will lead, manage, and mentor a high-performing team of eight Program Directors and, over time, a small team of Program Associates. The role will drive performance, continuous improvement, and strong execution across Rainier’s grantmaking—from idea generation and diligence through recommendation and learning. As part of a lean organization, the VP will be hands-on and work closely with the President and Vice President, Operations to drive strategy, execution, culture and values, and the systems and processes that support organizational performance. Key Priorities & Responsibilities Working with Program Directors, translate Rainier’s organization-wide strategy, as set by the Cofounders and President, into clear, innovative, and forward-looking portfolio plans. Lead strategy development and refinement across portfolios, ensuring Rainier’s approaches are ambitious, measurable, and responsive to an evolving climate landscape. Lead cross-portfolio coordination by building effective mechanisms for shared planning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration across sectors and geographies. In partnership with the Vice President, Operations, ensure that annual planning, impact assessment, learning, and program management processes enable strong execution and continuous improvement. Ensure high-quality grant recommendations and program delivery by strengthening diligence, analysis, and assessment of strategic fit, execution quality, and potential impact; surface pivot recommendations to the Cofounders and President when adjustments are needed. In collaboration with the Vice President, Operations, ensure Program Directors and Program Associates use organizational tools, systems, and processes effectively to support high-quality execution. Serve as a proxy for the President on program matters, bringing the climate-sector breadth and judgment needed to coach senior Program Directors and guide strong execution across issues and geographies. Oversee grantmaking budgets to ensure resources are deployed thoughtfully, grantee relationships and accountability remain strong, and learning is captured to improve execution over time. Team Management Lead, manage, and mentor Program Directors and Program Associates, fostering a culture of collaboration and cross-pollination, accountability, agility and risk taking, learning, and continuous improvement across the program team. Manage Program Director performance and execution quality, ensuring portfolio strategies translate into clear outcomes, strong recommendations, innovative thinking, and effective implementation. Design and guide Program Associate roles as a shared-capacity pool, deploying support across portfolios based on workload and priorities, and evolving the model over time. Assess team structure and the operating model for agility and effectiveness, identifying role design, performance, or capacity issues that should be elevated for decision-making; oversee external consultants to ensure they contribute effectively to program development and execution. External Engagement and Partnerships Partner with the President on external engagement that advances cross-portfolio coordination and strengthens Rainier’s overall program execution. Closely collaborating with the President, coordinate a select set of cross-portfolio and multi-portfolio relationships, while Program Directors remain the primary owners of strategy-specific grantee and partner relationships. Support and coach Program Directors on complex external relationships, escalating especially high-stakes issues or opportunities to the President. Identify ecosystem gaps and opportunities for field-level investments in global systems and initiatives. Bring credible climate-sector judgment and field awareness when needed to Rainier’s external engagement, while keeping the role’s primary focus on program alignment, execution, and team leadership. Qualifications and Experience Deep commitment to Rainier Climate’s mission and values, with an unwavering passion and drive to contribute meaningfully to climate progress. At least 20 years of senior executive leadership experience in philanthropy, the nonprofit sector, or a related field, with strong preference for candidates with deep global climate-sector experience and a demonstrated ability to translate strategy into disciplined execution across complex, multi-geography portfolios. Broad perspective on program strategy and the role of philanthropy in driving change, with the ability to identify multiple pathways and strategic interventions rather than relying on a single theory of change. Intellectual curiosity and agility to build knowledge across a wide range of climate issues and see systems-level connections across geographies. Experience working with multiple types of capitals (financial, social, relational, human, intellectual, and others) in the advancement of an organization’s mission. Collaborative, entrepreneurial operating style with the ability to spot opportunities for innovation and change. Significant experience leading and mentoring high-performing program teams, with strong judgment, emotional intelligence, and a demonstrated ability to coach senior staff toward high-quality execution. Experience creating an enabling team environment that encourages learning, integrity, curiosity, and strong collaboration with partners and communities. Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on leadership, strong prioritization, and day‑to‑day execution in a small, agile organization. Demonstrated experience working in global partnership networks and collaborating with diverse stakeholders across government, NGO, corporate, and funder sectors. Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly with a range of audiences. Excellent program and project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives, manage tradeoffs, and drive delivery against agreed outcomes. Financial acumen, with the ability to oversee budgets and ensure efficient allocation of resources. As a mission-driven organization, we are committed to offering competitive compensation and benefits aligned with the talent market in climate philanthropy. New hires are typically brought in within the hiring range for the role (from the salary range minimum to the midpoint), providing room for compensation growth over time. Annual pay increases are evaluated based on multiple factors, including demonstrated skills in the role, progress and performance against goals, and accrued experience. Actual placement within the range will be determined by a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as assessed during the interview process. Featured Benefits & Perks Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employee and dependent premiums entirely paid for by Rainier Climate. 3 weeks of paid vacation annually. 11 paid holidays, plus paid days off for the weekdays between Christmas and New Year. 80 hours of paid sick leave annually. 401(k) with 12% employer contribution. 2:1 Ballmer Family Giving Match for charitable contributions, and $50 donation per volunteer hour. Professional development reimbursement up to $2,000 per year. Employer-paid life insurance of 3x salary up to $1,000,000. Reimbursement up to $40,000 (lifetime limit) for Fertility & Family Building (including Back-up Childcare reimbursement up to $5,000 annually). Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options. Parking or transportation (Orca card) up to $250 monthly. Cash stipend of $300/month (for cell phone, wellness expenses, etc.). Identity theft protection. Location & Hybrid Work The position is based full-time in Bellevue, WA. Rainier Climate practices intentional hybrid work. All Rainer Climate employees are expected to work on-site in Bellevue on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and as needed on other weekdays based on the needs of the team. The number of in-office days may shift or increase as the organization evolves. Rainer Climate is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued. Individuals seeking employment at Rainer Climate are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. #J-18808-Ljbffr