Program Manager, U.S. & Canada

About the Organization

Plastic Solutions Fund (PSF) is a global coalition of funders focused on confronting the widespread crisis of plastic pollution that endangers human health, ecosystems, and communities. PSF targets systemic changes throughout the entire plastics lifecycle—from extraction to disposal—with an emphasis on curbing plastic production and challenging corporate influences. It is a core partner of the international Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) movement, aiming to bolster grassroots leadership and expand the movement’s reach, embracing diverse and historically under-supported communities over the next five years. This position supports work in the U.S. and Canada, with special attention to areas heavily affected by plastic and petrochemical industries.

Position Overview

The newly established role of Program Manager for the U.S. & Canada reports to the Americas Program Manager and joins a growing international program team. This role involves managing a portfolio of roughly 20 grantees, nurturing partnerships, and helping to develop and implement PSF's regional strategy. The position includes significant opportunity to establish and expand PSF’s activities in Canada. The role operates remotely but prefers candidates based in impacted regions such as the Gulf South, Appalachia, and relevant Canadian areas.

Responsibilities

• Advance and support grantmaking and partnerships, acting as a key liaison with civil society groups addressing systemic plastic pollution solutions.
• Foster and sustain deep, trust-based connections with partner organizations, supporting priorities within the BFFP movement.
• Help create and carry out PSF's U.S. and Canada BFFP movement strategies and representation.
• Assist grantees through grant process navigation and provide thoughtful, substantive feedback.
• Represent PSF in movement forums, partner meetings, and networks across the region.
• Communicate clear and timely updates internally and externally to funders.
• Identify new opportunities to strengthen PSF’s relationships with frontline and community-led organizations.
• Engage actively in BFFP coordinating bodies and conferences to maintain alignment and contribute regional insights.
• Collaborate internally on monitoring, evaluation, learning, communications, and fundraising efforts.
• Document and share learnings from portfolio activities to support strategic decision-making.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 7 years managing programs, partnerships, or grantmaking in philanthropy or nonprofits focused on movement building, systems change, or collective impact within the U.S. and/or Canada.
• Direct lived experience or professional engagement with grassroots organizing, environmental justice, or frontline communities affected by plastics or petrochemical industries.
• Strong knowledge of regional environmental and policy landscapes relevant to plastics and petrochemicals, particularly in the Gulf South, Appalachia, and Canadian regions.
• Established, trusted connections with grassroots, Indigenous, environmental justice, labor, or community networks.
• Proven ability to build equitable and trustful relationships with diverse partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; bilingualism in English and Spanish highly preferred.
• Familiarity or keen interest in philanthropic and trust-based funding models.
• Comfortable contributing to monitoring, evaluation, and a culture of shared learning and accountability.
• Cross-cultural awareness with capability to work effectively in a distributed, virtual, global team environment.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and proactive in a dynamic organizational setting.

Location and Work Environment

This fully remote role is open across the U.S. and Canada, with preference for candidates residing in areas impacted by plastics and petrochemical activities. The position requires working across multiple time zones and engaging with a globally dispersed team.

Travel

Expected travel is approximately 25% domestically for engagement and meetings and 3-4 international trips yearly for global coordination and events.

Compensation, Benefits, and Leave

• Annual salary range: $96,000 to $100,000 USD or $126,000 to $130,000 CAD, adjusted for experience, location, and qualifications.
• Annual paid vacation of 25 days, plus a 4-day year-end organizational closure and statutory holidays.
• Comprehensive medical benefits including dental and vision for employees, domestic partners, and dependents.
• Life insurance coverage for all staff.
• Retirement contributions as per local laws.
• Parental and family leave: 24 weeks fully paid parental leave after one year of service, plus family leave with 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid.
• After five years, eligibility for a fully paid three-month sabbatical.
• Support for remote work including provision of necessary hardware, office supplies, coworking space access if needed, and a home utilities stipend.

Diversity and Inclusion

Plastic Solutions Fund is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics.