Manager, Strategic Planning and Finance

Job Posting Organization:
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, dedicated to preserving the natural world and addressing the most pressing environmental challenges. Established in 1961, WWF operates in over 100 countries and has a workforce of more than 6,000 employees globally. The organization focuses on various conservation efforts, including wildlife protection, habitat preservation, and sustainable resource management, aiming to create a world where people and nature can thrive together.

Job Overview:
The Manager of Strategic Planning and Finance on the Earth for Life team plays a pivotal role in leading cross-organizational teams to develop conservation plans, financial models, and sustainable financing components for Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) and other priority initiatives of WWF-US. This position is crucial for ensuring effective communication and understanding between technical experts and senior leadership, as it involves managing concurrent projects across different countries. The Manager will also be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with WWF staff, partner organizations, and consultants, while providing strategic technical guidance to international counterparts. Additionally, the role includes collaboration with finance professionals across the organization to design and implement priority initiatives, contributing to WWF's broader Conservation Finance Community of Practice.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Manager will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Leading stakeholder collaboration with other WWF departments, conservation NGOs, governments, and donors to clarify and build consensus on project scope, conservation goals, activities, and financing needs for PFPs and other initiatives.
• Identifying, prioritizing, designing, and implementing sustainable financing mechanisms such as taxes, fees, and royalties for priority initiatives.
• Developing key technical components for funding proposals aimed at bilateral, multilateral, and private donors, systematically evaluating opportunities for positive outcomes.
• Training international counterparts in conservation planning, financial planning, and sustainable financing mechanisms.
• Incorporating lessons learned and best practices into WWF guidance and training materials.
• Supervising WWF-US technical staff and managing consultants and interns involved in sustainable financing initiatives.
• Performing other duties as assigned, which may include adapting to changing circumstances and deadlines related to funding proposals.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree, with a Master’s degree in management, finance, or a conservation-related field preferred. A minimum of eight years of experience in management consulting, business, finance, or conservation is required, along with project management and financial modeling experience. Some experience in developing countries is preferred, and a Master’s degree can substitute for two years of work experience. Strong project management skills and the ability to lead teams to produce high-quality results are essential. Candidates should also have practical experience in for-profit or NGO consulting, advanced organizational management, problem-solving, and strategy development skills. Excellent communication skills, including workshop facilitation and training experience, are required, along with solid writing and editing capabilities. Candidates must be detail-oriented, client-focused, and enjoy problem-solving in team settings.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement, with a preference for candidates holding a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as management, finance, or conservation. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of conservation finance and strategic planning.

Experience:
The position requires at least eight years of relevant experience in management consulting, business, finance, or conservation. Candidates should have a strong background in project management and financial modeling, with some experience in developing countries being advantageous. A Master’s degree can substitute for two years of the required work experience, allowing candidates with advanced education to qualify with less direct experience.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, with fluency in Spanish preferred. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages will enhance collaboration with international counterparts and stakeholders, particularly in regions where Spanish is spoken.

Additional Notes:
The position may require 15-25% travel to developing countries, as well as to Washington DC if the candidate is not located there. The expected salary range for this position is between $98,000 and $140,90

• The role is full-time, and candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume through the WWF Careers Page, referencing Requisition #2501
• WWF is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity and inclusion in its workforce.