World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Director, Regenerative Agriculture

Major Function

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Director, Regenerative Agriculture, to lead the Freshwater & Food Transformation team’s engagements on regenerative agriculture with the private sector. The Freshwater & Food Transformation team is a cross cutting team within the Freshwater and Food goals that focuses on engaging companies and their supply chains to advance WWF’s mission support on global priorities and in priority landscapes and basins. In this role, the Director leads and implements strategies to advance regenerative agriculture with companies including strategy development, evaluating GHG mitigation potential to support scope 3 and SBTI FLAG targets and integration with climate resilience and water stewardship.

In addition, the Director will represent the Freshwater & Food team in various partnerships, working groups, steering committees, meetings, conferences, etc., to drive alignment around WWF’s strategies on regenerative agriculture. The Director will work closely with the Food Team, Corporate Water Stewardship Team, Climate team, Private Sector Engagement, Policy and Government Affairs, and other departments at WWF to advance the regenerative agriculture strategy. Working closely with the Senior Director, the incumbent will develop a portfolio of projects with corporate partners on regenerative agriculture. This includes oversight of corporate partnerships, projects, internal budget, internal review of documents of engagement, developing work plans, and implementing strategic priorities. The incumbent will also work across a variety of food production systems and collaborate closely on food policy and metrics.

• Oversee further development and implementation of the regenerative agriculture portfolio with private sector partners.
• Lead corporate engagement on regenerative agriculture and ensure corporate strategies have a clear theory of change to support WWF’s conservation objectives, including credible GHG mitigation, water stewardship, and climate resilience.
• Lead the development of strategy for individual companies and/or corporate platforms across sectors integral to meeting Freshwater and Food goal objectives on commodities like soy, corn, wheat, beef, etc. and work closely with the team to develop proposals and plans for specific private sector engagements.
• Collaborates with members of the Food, Freshwater, Climate, Private Sector Engagement, Policy & Government Affairs, Program Operations and other teams, ensuring good communications, clear goals, continual feedback, and cooperation.
• Represents WWF at relevant internal and external events and meetings on issues related to regenerative agriculture and corporate engagement in food and freshwater.
• Leads and organizes stakeholder and partner group meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• 10+ years’ leadership experience developing corporate sustainability strategy at a food or beverage company, conservation nonprofit strategy, trade association or other relevant organization.
• A bachelor’s degree and a post-graduate degree in a related technical field such as Environmental Studies, International Development, and/or an MBA is preferred.
• At least 6+ years leading or managing teams, portfolios, budgets, and performance metrics at a global scale across commodities and geographies, preferably within a corporate setting.
• Demonstrated experience developing sustainability strategy for specific commodities or sector areas, especially across a matrixed and decentralized team and organizational structure, and a track record of success in driving the implementation of sustainability practices within a corporate setting and across supply chains.
• Strong understanding of commodity markets and supply chains, corporate procurement practices, business drivers, risks, challenges and constraints, and sustainable agricultural production practices.
• Strong technical expertise and knowledge of regenerative agriculture, row crop production, and/or tropical agriculture are preferred.
• Excellent people, team management, and time management skills. Ability to work well in a matrixed environment with cross-functional teams and competing priorities.
• Strong, proactive, and transparent communication and collaboration skills required.
• Ability to operate independently and with across teams, under pressure, to meet deadlines and commitments, and to proactively seek guidance, feedback, and support when needed.
• Knowledge of English required.
• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams.
• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:
  • 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.

WWF is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace and requires all US-based staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. WWF will consider requests for accommodation from the vaccine requirement based on disability, medical contraindication, sincerely held religious belief, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through our Careers Page, Requisition #24037
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status. WWF values diversity and inclusion and welcomes diverse candidates to apply.