World Wildlife Fund-United States (WWF-US) seeks a Director to help drive its work on mobilizing private finance for nature-based solutions (NbS). 

Major Function:

WWF’s newly formed Nature Finance and Investment (NFI) team is focused on mobilizing large-scale financing for nature through nature markets, impact investing, debt capital markets, and public policy and investment. As a member of NFI, the Director will work with internal and external partners to develop and deliver WWF’s bankable NbS portfolio, with a focus on leveraging carbon markets for nature.  

The Director will initially focus on originating and bringing to market bankable NbS through WWF’s Nature-based Solutions Origination platform (NbS-OP), a joint program of NFI and the WWF Forests and Freshwater Team. Through the NbS-OP, WWF uses its global reach, landscape knowledge, and diverse partnerships to identify and develop landscape-level NbS interventions that address threats and drivers efficiently; incorporate transparent and equitable governance and benefit-sharing mechanisms; and set the bar for durable impacts for climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development. In addition, the Director will work with NFI leadership to further develop and execute WWF’s strategy and business model for leveraging nature markets to mobilize finance for its conservation objectives around the world.

Salary Range:  $124,000 - $178,300

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Reports to:       Managing Director, Public Finance and Nature Markets  

Location:          Washington, DC (Hybrid, two days per week)

FLSA Status:     Exempt 

• In close collaboration with relevant teams, country offices, NbS-OP landscape leads, and technical partners:
• Identify and assess the feasibility of bringing to market specific NbS interventions across NbS-OP landscapes and other priority areas.
• Lead the design and development of specific bankable NbS projects. 
• Engage with market participants to identify opportunities and inform and market WWF NbS opportunities under development.
• Lead the development of proposals to offtakers and investors.
• Manage an emerging NbS portfolio.
• Develop and execute complex strategies across multiple geographies and stakeholders, with a clear understanding of environmental, financial, and social outcomes.
• Work with NFI leadership, the broader NFI team, and other internal and external stakeholders to:
• Increase WWF’s broad market engagement with NbS buyers and investors.
• Refine WWF’s strategy and business model for mobilizing finance through carbon markets and other nature-related markets.
• Assess and develop opportunities beyond specific NbS projects for WWF to more broadly mobilize private finance through nature markets, which may include, e.g., structuring landscape level finance facilities or developing NbS funds.
• Prepare and present detailed project and investment documentation for internal and external stakeholders as needed, including pitch decks, financial models, and partnership structures. 
• Represent NFI in internal and external meetings around carbon markets and finance, and other topics as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies:    

• Innovative Problem Solving and Strategic Leadership. The ability to investigate a problem and propose innovative solutions in a timely, efficient manner to address both immediate and longer-term challenges. Thoughtfully and sensitively deploys and adapts different structures to a myriad of country contexts.  

• Initiative. Self-starter with ability to manage projects and deliverables to produce high-quality results. Ability to work against deadlines and under frequently changing circumstances.        

• Outstanding teamwork. Ability to work across units and influence outcomes without direct control.  Ability to engage individuals working in different roles and countries; capable of training and guiding team members with a high degree of cultural sensitivity. Must be client-focused and enjoy problem solving and working with teams.  

• Exceptional project management skills. Must be able to lead and manage cross-cutting project teams and deliverables to produce high-quality results. 

• Solution-focused adaptability. Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, changing environment, executing quickly on a range of strategic and transactional responsibilities, as well as thinking critically to add value and solve problems. Ability to work towards solutions with internal and external partners against deadlines and under frequently changing circumstances.  

• Self-Awareness and emotional intelligence. Incorporates constructive feedback, owns mistakes, and holds oneself accountable.   

• Communication and Collaboration. Clearly and consistently communicates with internal and external partners, to keeps things moving forward and overcome challenges quickly and effectively. Actively and effectively represents WWF in the broader carbon and NbS markets, to identify opportunities and partners, and to inform and launch opportunities originated from across the WWF network. 

Required Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years professional experience, including substantial NbS transactional experience from either a project developer or investor perspective.  

• Graduate degree in economics, business administration, or finance, strongly preferred. Demonstration of equivalent transactional expertise developed through professional experience also highly valued. 

• Proven experience in working with a variety of NbS project types or transaction structures in developing countries.    

• Experience and deep knowledge in carbon markets is a strong differentiator including familiarity with project development or due diligence, pricing and transaction structuring, and market participants and transaction execution. 

• Superior financial and business analysis experience and skills, particularly in evaluating investment feasibility, risk, and return for NbS or nature-related finance structures. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to present arguments and analysis in a clear and succinct manner to WWF management, partners, and funders. Solid writing and editing skills.  

• Estimated 15-25% travel to developing countries.  

• Fluency in Spanish, French or Portuguese is an advantage.  

• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.   

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration: 

• COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.  
• INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.  
• RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.  
• COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.  

To Apply: 

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #26016

• Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.