Director of Environment

The Fund for Science and Technology is a new private foundation that is part of the Paul G. Allen philanthropic ecosystem.

Founded in 2022 and launched in 2025, we enable accelerated discovery and catalyze progress for people and the planet through transformational science and technology. The foundation works to advance bioscience, accelerate solutions for the environment, and leverage the power of AI for the benefit of Earth and humanity, supporting work in the lab and across the ecosystem of scientific research, collaboration, and innovation.  

Together, we strive to advance the frontiers of science and maximize the benefits it offers the world. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Environment (DE) reports to the Senior Vice President (SVP Environment) and serves as a strategic deputy and thought partner to the SVP, helping to shape, prioritize, and execute the Foundation's environmental strategy and philanthropic portfolio. The SVP will lead the visioning and major partnerships for the program, with the DE ensuring timely implementation and management. Acting as second-in-command to the SVP, the DE will help determine which activities require the SVP's direct engagement and which can be delegated, ensuring the effective deployment of leadership attention and organizational resources.

Working closely with the SVP, the DE will support the identification, development, refinement, and implementation of major grants and initiatives across the Environment portfolio. Responsibilities will include but not be limited to conducting and organizing due diligence efforts; reviewing scientific literature, technical reports, and policy analyses; engaging with scientific and subject-matter experts; attending conferences and convenings; developing strategic concepts; and designing and facilitating workshops, charrettes, and other collaborative planning processes.

The Director of Environment will represent the Foundation externally and, as appropriate, serve as a delegate for the SVP in meetings with grantees, researchers, peer funders, policymakers, and other partners. The role responsibilities will include helping to cultivate and maintain key relationships across the environmental community, monitoring the progress and impact of grants and initiatives, and identifying opportunities to strengthen portfolio effectiveness and strategic coherence.

In addition, the Director of Environment will perform operational, administrative, finance, strategic coordination, and other tasks related to managing internal and external engagements and projects within their assigned program areas and will play a central role in building and managing the Environment pillar as it grows, including the possibility that the DE has direct reports.

The successful candidate will combine strategic judgment, scientific curiosity, operational excellence, and strong relationship-management skills to help advance the Foundation's environmental mission and maximize the impact of its philanthropic investments.

The DE will be expected to work closely with members of the Science Leadership Team and larger FFST organization, act independently, and quickly learn to recommend, interpret, and/or implement company and internal administrative policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Environment Team-Related
  
  
  
  • Maintain an understanding of the key objectives of FFST programs and projects.
  
  
  • Act as the focal point for ongoing team program communications and status report.
  
  
  • Oversee coordination, collaboration, and communication across team members and initiatives.
  
  
  • Oversee presentation materials, web content, and other documentation for the FFST group.
  
  
  • May be asked to facilitate internal meetings as needed.
  
  
  • Take on special projects as assigned.
  
  
  
  


• Program-Related
  
  
  
  • Oversee broad program efforts including;
    
    
    
    • The execution of open solicitation calls and ensuring timely communication across the team.
    
    
    • The collaboration with internal and/or external departments such as finance, communications, IT, legal, grants management, and HR.
    
    
    • Any other duties as assigned.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Administrative Management and Support

• Inform and coordinate with the SVP schedule for key pillar activities


• Plan and coordinate Environment team retreats and all-hands meetings


• Monitor and ensure timely and accurate budget tracking


• Manage effective communication and processes for environment efforts


• Any other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have broad scientific knowledge in the area of the environment and must have demonstrated leadership responsibilities in past roles, with experience managing direct reports, coordinating complex efforts, and applying strategic operational skills. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Experience, Skill, and/or Ability Required

• Demonstrates honesty, responsibility, integrity, and fulfillment of commitments.


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating a high level of independent judgment, tact, and diplomacy.


• Ability to work effectively with diverse teams, manage external resources, and liaise with a broad range of internal and external clients, departments, and stakeholders at various levels within the organization.


• Experience managing project teams for programs that include multiple projects and a high level of complexity.


• Ability to work with confidential information discreetly and professionally.


• Ability to work under tight deadlines, managing multiple priorities in a dynamic and changing environment.


• Flexible, creative, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.


• Excellent ability to manage simultaneous project streams and meet deadlines.


• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills.


• Knowledge of general office practices, procedures, and equipment.


• Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently.


• Excellent writing and copyediting skills.


• Strong attention to detail.

Required Computer Skills

• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)


• Experience with leading Grants Management Software platforms.

Education/Experience/Certifications

• Minimum: Master’s degree (M.A. or M.S.) in a related science field from an accredited institution and five plus years relevant experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience, ideally in a high-growth or start-up environment OR equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Preferred: Ph.D. plus five years relevant experience, or 10 years relevant experience in a senior leadership role in environmental science.

Preferred

• Familiarity supporting the planning, procurement, and effective use of high-performance computing, cloud computing, and AI resources to advance scientific research.


• Familiarity with bioscience research as it relates to the environment.


• Familiarity with expense management, invoice receiving, travel systems, and customer relations management.


• Familiarity with Smartsheet, Asana, or other organizational platforms.


• Experience working with/for a Foundation and/or tax-exempt research organization(s)

Special remarks regarding the work environment

• FFST as an organization is Monday – Thursday in the office, and Fridays are remote days each week. The hybrid work environment is an organizational decision that benefits employees, may differ from job to job, and is subject to change as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

The salary range for this position is expected to be $310,000 - $420,000 per year. The upper portion of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time or candidates who exceed our experience and skill set expectations.

We personalize offers for each chosen future employee, carefully considering various factors when reviewing each candidate. These factors include experience, professional achievements, education, individual backgrounds, and internal equity, any of which could affect the compensation offer.

The total compensation package for this position will also include other elements, including reasonable and customary benefits.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, we offer eligible employees access to a robust benefits package. This includes Foundation-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance plans for the employee and their eligible dependents. To help secure your financial future, you may also participate in a retirement savings plan, which includes a generous 15% employer contribution each year, up to IRS limits, and subject to a vesting schedule.

Our generous paid time off supports work-life balance. Employees receive up to 16 annual vacation/personal days in their first five years, seven paid holidays, plus paid time off for the day after Thanksgiving and the full office closure between December 25th and January 1st. Employees also receive up to 10 days of paid sick leave annually, with unused time eligible to be carried over (up to the maximum unused time cap). We offer strong support for new parents with up to eight weeks of paid pregnancy disability and up to eight weeks of paid parental leave. Additionally, employees may be eligible for up to 13 weeks of short-term disability benefits.

We’re committed to inclusion and equal opportunity. 

FFST is an equal-opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sex, disability, political ideology, veteran status, or other protected class.  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The job description listed above is representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

If you need accommodation during the application or hiring process, don't hesitate to contact [email protected].