Senior Director, Corporate Engagement, Forests

Founded in 1961, WWF works to help people and nature thrive. As a global conservation organization, WWF operates in more than 100 countries, partnering with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. Grounded in science and driven by collaboration, WWF works to help nature by conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. Nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 5 million globally are WWF members.

Major Function

The Senior Directorleads WWF-US's corporate engagement strategy for forests, driving transformational actiontoeliminatedeforestation and forest degradationacross priority forest-linked supply chains,and mobilizing investments that advance forest protection, restoration, and sustainable management.TheroleoverseesU.S. implementation ofWWF'sForests Forwardcorporate engagement program,stewardshigh-impact partnerships, andchannelscorporate finance to priorityglobal forestlandscapes.The SeniorDirectoralignsWWF'scorporateand policyapproachesfor forestswithWWF-US and global Forest goalsand withglobalframeworksand nature-positive pathways.The role leadsa team of professionals focused on forgingstrategicpartnershipsto deliver landscape-scale outcomes for climate, nature, and people.TheSenior Directormanages initiative budgets and fundraising;coordinateswith other WWF global network offices;overseesstaff and consultants;representsWWF-USForests teamat key events and forums;andbuildseffectiverelationships with NGOs,agencies, and other institutional partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead WWF-US's corporate forest engagement strategyto deliver measurable progress on avoiding deforestation and forest degradationandconservinghigh priority forest landscapes around the globe.

• Oversee a strategic portfolio of U.S. corporate partnershipsacross priority sectors and geographies,includingthroughWWF's Forests Forward corporate engagement program,driving transformational change in forest-linked supplychainsandsecuringsupport forhigh-integritynature-based solutions.

• Steward high-profile partnerships and ensure alignment with leading target-setting frameworks, disclosure platforms, forest certification standards, and emerging regulatory expectations.Advise companies on deforestation and conversion-free sourcing strategies, target-setting, implementation,nature-basedsolutionsinvestments,and monitoring progress against commitments.

• Lead and manage a team of professionals, including setting priorities, managing performance, coaching, and developing staff, and fostering a high-performing, cohesive team culture.

• Engage withfinancial institutions and investorsto integrateforest relatedrisks and opportunities into decision-making and channel finance toward nature-positive pathways and priority landscapesin collaboration with WWF-US's Nature Finance Initiative.

• Develop and implement sustainable funding and cost-recovery models for corporate engagement and landscapeinitiatives, including corporate contributions, grants, and blended finance structures, ensuringlong-term financial sustainability of theprogram.Collaborate across WWF-US teams andthe WWFNetworktoaccelerateefforts that deliver against WWF global forest goals.

• RepresentWWF-US Foreststeam onmulti-stakeholdercoalitionsandotherexternalforums, articulating the business case for actionon forests and sustainabilityand influencingrelevantstandardssetting processesand initiatives.

• Manage initiative budgets and advance innovative approaches toprivatesector-focused solutions, leadingor supportingfundraisingeffortsthat mobilize blended finance for priority forest landscapes.

• Ensureall engagements uphold WWF's social safeguardsand support the rights, knowledge, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities

• Other duties as assigned.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership & Execution: Ability to articulate a compelling strategic vision, take decisive action, and deliver results, adapting as needed.
• Executive Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with senior leaders, tailoring messaging to different audiences.
• Stakeholder & Partnership Management: Manages complex, high-profile partnerships with diplomacy and cultural sensitivity and navigates competing priorities to deliver results.
• Team Leadership & Development: Leads, coaches, and empowers teams to perform at a high level while fostering a collaborative and mission-driven culture.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Stays grounded and solution-focused while working through complex challenges across sectors, systems, and stakeholders.

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced academic training (graduate degree or equivalent experience) and 12+ years in corporate sustainability, forestry, or international naturalresource commodities.

• Deep knowledge of global forestand trade issuesandcorporatesustainabilitytrends,deforestation and conversion-freesourcing initiatives,forestcertification standards,climate and naturetargetsetting and disclosure frameworks(e.g.,SBTiFLAG, SBTN, TNFD), relevant policies(e.g., EUDR, CSRD, CSDDD), and funding mechanisms that inform corporate and financial sector action.

• Proven experiencestewarding highambition initiatives,managing complex corporatepartnershipsand influencing corporate decision making, ensuring accountability for outcomes, navigating risk, and resolving conflicts to drive transformational change.

• Demonstrated leadership in matrixedglobalorganizations, coordinating acrosssustainability,finance,policy,communicationand operationsteams to advance shared goals.

• Track recordof leading highperforming teams and programs,coaching and managing performance, anddelivering measurable results across geographies, cultures, and multilingual contexts.

• Demonstrated abilitywith executivelevel communication, influencing corporate decision-making,andtailoringmessages forspecific audiences.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally; highproficiencyin English, withadditionallanguage fluency (Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Mandarin) a strong asset.

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

• Identifiesand aligns with WWF's core values:

• COURAGE- Wedemonstratecourage through our actions, we work for change whereit'sneeded, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.

• INTEGRITY- Welivethe principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity,accountabilityand 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 impactatthe scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Please note: If selected, candidate must be able to relocate to the DC area.

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.

This position is eligible for domestic (United States) relocation.

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