Vice President, United Kingdom and European Stakeholder Engagement

Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork, and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, biodiversity, and for people.

With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and local communities to help people and nature thrive together.

POSITION SUMMARY - This position is based in the United Kingdom

This position is the key management leader of CI-United Kingdom (CI-UK). This role is responsible for overseeing the growth of CI-UK and the delivery of its strategic plan. This position will also focus on identifying and delivering opportunities for the growth of CI in Europe more broadly, working closely with the “Senior Vice President (SVP) and Managing Director CI-Europe and Global Public Partnerships (GPP)” (SVP GPP-CI Europe).

The role will oversee the business development, coordination, and delivery of strategic partnerships and advocacy efforts in the UK and Europe, with a focus on policy and corporate engagement.

CI Europe leads CI’s engagement with European partners: European Union institutions, European governments, European corporate and foundations, and other key stakeholders for policy, partnerships, and funding opportunities relevant to CI’s global mission. This position will report to the SVP GPP-CI Europe and directly supervise several staff members, and work closely with other CI divisions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead CI in the UK focusing on Government, NGO, and Corporate Engagement
• Serve as CI UK’s primary spokesperson to the organisation’s internal teams, the media and public.
• Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations and government departments and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance Conservation International’s mission.
• Engage in fundraising and developing brand awareness.
• Support the SVP in growing CI’s political connections at the highest level and promote CI’s policy objectives with high-level European decision-makers.
• Collaborate and build strategies with corporations and multi-stakeholder coalitions to invest in nature-based sustainable development and natural climate solutions.
• Represent CI in meetings with stakeholders, conferences, and other public venues with high-level government officials and private sector leaders.
• Lead a diverse and talented team and help them grow in their fields and careers.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

CI-United Kingdom (CI-UK):

• CI-UK Board of Trustees: Works with the Trustees to fulfill the organization’s mission.
• Lead CI-UK in a manner that supports and guides the organization's mission as defined by the Constitution and the Board of Trustees.
• Effective communication with the Board of Trustees and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board of Trustees to function properly and to make informed decisions.
• CI-UK Financial Performance and Viability: Resource mobilization to ensure financial health. 
• Oversee fundraising and developing initiatives, necessary to support the CI-UK objectives.
• Responsible for the fiscal integrity of CI-UK, to include submission to the Board of Trustees a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
• Financial management, including maximizing resource utilization, and maintenance of a positive financial position.
• CI-UK Organisation Mission and Strategy: Works with the CI-UK Board of Trustees and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programmes, strategic planning, and outreach.
• Responsible for the implementation of CI-UK’s programmes.
• Enhance CI-UK’s image by being active and visible in the relevant sectors and communities and by working closely with other professionals, civic and private individuals, and organizations.
• CI-UK Organisation Operations: Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate.
• Responsible for the effective administration of CI-UK operations.
• Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other contracts made and entered into on behalf of the organization.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Oversee strategy for the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
• Oversee the growth of the CI Europe Council and the recruitment of new members.
• Oversee policy engagement team for France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and at the EU level.
• Oversee CI’s engagement and fundraising from High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) and foundations in Europe.

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Candidates need to have a valid work permit in the United Kingdom.
• Travel time up to 35%
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Advanced university degree in law, science, economics, and/or other related fields.
• 15 years or more of broad business development, policy, environment, and/or natural resource management leadership, strategy development, and program management experience; track record of success required (extensive experience as senior government representative/advisor or senior NGO leader or business leader highly desirable).
• Strong knowledge of or experience in UK/international conservation.
• High-level strategic thinking and planning. Ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, board, volunteers, and donors.
• Experience with building Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Preference for demonstrated experience of building PPPs in the conservation, environment, and/or international development context.
• A history of successfully generating new revenue streams and improving financial results.
• Active fundraising experience. Excellent donor relations skills and an understanding of the funding community.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated track record in fostering internal and external collaboration.
• Executive management experience including board development, board service, and experience overseeing strategy and communications. 
• Demonstrated experience in managing and motivating diverse teams; focus on professional growth and success of individuals. Experience in leading remote teams.
• Demonstrated track record of working effectively with multicultural, multidisciplinary teams to produce concrete results.
• Excellent communication skills.