World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, seeks a Global Lead, Sustainable Protein Systems.

Major Function

The Senior Director of Sustainable Protein Systems provides leadership in developing and implementing an updated, ambitious sustainable protein strategy and set of initiatives, especially focusing on livestock and feed. The incumbent will advance a shared vision and agenda for sustainable protein production and consumption with key sector stakeholders. In addition, they will support the development and implementation of robust and measurable sustainability targets and metrics for the production of sustainable livestock, as well as the identification and cost-effectiveness of practices and incentives for adoption by livestock producers, feed producers, processors, traders, retailers, and other supply chain actors in the United States and globally. Lastly, the Senior Director will be responsible for overseeing the Sustainable Livestock and Feed team within WWF-US that carries out the planning, communication, and implementation of priority programs related to beef production and other animal protein commodities.

• Strategic Direction, Program Design, and Implementation: Provides strategic direction on sustainable beef and other livestock commodity programs, tracks and influences markets and trade of livestock and feed commodities globally, integrates and scales innovation for impact and evolves WWF’s programming accordingly, and supports on-the-ground programs in priority landscapes including the Northern Great Plains and the Chaco-Pantanal. Leads team of practitioners that execute the Sustainable Protein Initiative and develops integrated program offerings aligned with other WWF teams including Freshwater, Forests, Climate, Oceans, Markets, Private Sector Engagement, and the WWF Network where appropriate. Creates or oversees creation of tools that allow producers to share information on reducing key impacts.
• Strategic Partnership and Platform Engagement: Leads WWF-US engagement in advancement of our primary conservation priorities in multisector platforms including the Global, United States and Canadian Beef Roundtables, the U.S. Sustainable Roundtable for Poultry and Eggs and others. Develops and leads partnerships with other NGOs, universities, research institutes, producer groups, corporate entities, and others as appropriate. Engages closely with WWF colleagues across other teams, including Freshwater & Food, Forests, Markets, and Climate to coordinate efforts and impact, especially in priority landscapes where livestock systems, including feed production, are critical for livelihoods including the Amazon, Cerrado, Chaco-Pantanal region in South America, the Great Plains in North America, the Kavango-Zambezi in sub-Saharan Africa and the Central Steppes and Terai in Asia.
• Program Management: Leads, manages, and develops the Sustainable Livestock and Feed team, which currently includes 3-5 experts that will be directly reporting to the incumbent. Aligns team behind shared vision and priorities, develops workplans to take strategy to execution, drives implementation of programs on the ground in key geographies, and supports engagement with other teams across WWF-US, WWF network, and externally with other key partners and stakeholders.
• Thought Leadership: Represents WWF-US within the WWF global network and at national and international meetings, workshops, and other relevant fora on sustainable protein systems, including beef and other livestock production systems and drives WWF’s conservation agenda and outcomes. Serves as an internal WWF expert on all beef and livestock issues and provides technical support to business partners and the WWF Network on beef and livestock production issues, where appropriate. Undertakes or oversees research, develops reports, white papers, blogs, podcasts, and other materials to build awareness and consensus within WWF and externally about key impacts and potential strategies to reduce them.
• Resource Mobilization: Persuasively conveys the mission of WWF to solicit program support from the major funding sectors (government, foundation, individual, corporate). In coordination with WWF Development staff and others on the Freshwater and Food team, oversees development of conceptual framework for multi-year proposals. Oversees staff drafts and/or directly prepares proposals. Engages with VP and SVP to communicate with select donors, attending events or field site visits as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• A graduate degree in a relevant field related to sustainable agriculture, livestock or feed, or a professional degree including an MBA, JD or MPH.
• At least 12 years of relevant work experience in sustainable agriculture, sustainable livestock and feed production, environmental or resource economics, supply chain management, or food systems transformation.
• At least 7 years of team management experience and demonstrated experience executing complex global and local projects with partners on the ground.
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources and fundraise.
• Specific knowledge and experience with livestock and feed production systems and the ability to be credible in developing and/or implementing sustainability initiatives within the livestock sector, including the demonstrated ability to work directly with producers, undertake and oversee research, and work with different players along the value chain.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and the ability to communicate effectively with board, staff, and business executives.
• Ability to formulate and implement complex strategic programs.
• Ability to understand both the U.S. and global context.
• A high-level of interpersonal skills, especially relationship management skills and the ability to work as part of a dynamic, multi-dimensional, cross-cutting team.
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills with an emphasis on project management.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• International experience and knowledge of Spanish and/or French a plus.
• Willingness to travel as needed up to 25% within the US and internationally.
• Committed to a culture of constructive feedback, continuous improvement, growth and development for ourselves and our team.
• Committed to the Freshwater and Food team’s values of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
• 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:
  • Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult, or unpopular.
  • Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable.
  • Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement.
  • Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals.

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 #12139
• 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.