Specialist, Private Sector Engagement

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Major Function

WWF's Private Sector Engagement (PSE) team partners with 100+ leading companies to deliver measurable environmental impact and business value - transforming supply chains, scaling nature-based solutions, eliminating plastic waste, and engaging employees and consumers worldwide.

The Specialist will work closely with PSE Leadership to support the development and management of corporate partnerships, as well as related stakeholder engagement efforts, in order to advance WWF’s conservation mission, maximize revenue and increase public awareness of WWF across the United States. This role focuses heavily on advancing sustainability through WWF’s corporate partnerships, developing communications that reflect WWF’s goals with the private sector, and providing research, strategic and organizational support for special initiatives and PSE leadership priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Provides Strategic Support to SVP and VP of Private Sector Engagement. Delivers on special projects and strategic priorities (50% Time).

• Provides project management support and leadership across the department to support special projects and strategic priorities. This work may include identifying needs and opportunities, coordinating research, monitoring deadlines, drafting communications, following up on delegated projects, and engaging with the appropriate Senior Management Team members, WWF-Network and US colleagues, external partners, and consultants.
• Conducts research and data analysis to provide insights into sustainability impacts and the performance of companies within WWF’s corporate partnership portfolio. Contributes to identifying new data sources and analytical methods while ensuring high standards of data quality and integrity. Drafts research-based communications -written, verbal, and visual- to present recommendations and data analysis to key stakeholders.
• Tracks and monitors key metrics for existing corporate partnerships, compiling reports and sharing insights with PSE team members to help influence decision making and strategic direction.

Helps ensure smooth and effective operations of the PSE Team (50% Time).

• Plays a key role in developing tools, processes and presentations related to corporate sustainability performance, WWF corporate partnerships achievements, and WWF private sector influence.
• Ensures SVP and VP-preparedness for external and internal meetings by seeking input from technical and account leads, then compiling, drafting, and editing briefings, materials, analyses, reports, and presentations on different elements of WWF’s private sector engagements.
• Conducts thoughtful and effective advance research and planning for events, including coordination and executive scheduling for large multi-lateral events attended by WWF delegations, bi-lateral and multi-lateral partner meetings and field visits, and internal coordination with teams across the organization, often in partnership with executive support staff.
• Supports relationship management with select corporate partners. Recommends strategies and processes to strengthen partner relationships.
• Supports engagement with high-level contacts of a complex and confidential nature both inside and outside the organization with mature discretion.
• Supervises the work of interns and other staff or consultants as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Key Competencies

• Results-oriented: Maintains a high level of organization and attention to detail to advance initiatives with reliable follow-through.
• Strategic analysis and critical thinking: Manages complex and sensitive initiatives. Absorbs and analyzes large amounts of information. Makes recommendations to effectively solve problems.
• Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills: Moves priorities with effective collaboration, empathy and positive energy. Uses diplomacy to build consensus and support. Possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfort with ambiguity: Performs effectively and can adapt in ambiguous, dynamic environments. Navigates quickly shifting priorities and remains cool under pressure. Able to perform tactical, strategic, and operational tasks, and create clarity for others.

Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required; Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as international environmental policy, natural resources, business, agriculture & rural development, environmental science, sustainable finance, or sustainable development preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years’ professional experience required (or an advanced degree with 2 plus years’ experience).
• Knowledge of corporate sustainability reporting, GHG accounting, or other sustainability performance measurement frameworks. Passion for and interest in leveraging the power of business, particularly corporate sustainability, to advance WWF’s conservation mission.
• Proficiency in Excel, Power Point, Microsoft Word, Teams, SharePoint. Experience with Airtable, Monday.com and R-Studio/R-Script a plus.
• Exceptional executive communications skills. Skilled at synthesizing diverse perspectives and data into actionable recommendations and compelling written, visual, and verbal narratives
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple details and adapt to shifting priorities. Strong communications and interpersonal skills across written and verbal mediums.
• Experience in several of the following areas preferred: managing research projects, engaging with external partners, leading and supporting change management, work in business or consultancy environments, event planning and coordination.
• Proactive, resourceful self-starter who thrives in ambiguous environments and collaborates openly.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate cross-team collaboration and decision-making processes.
• Organized qualitative and quantitative researcher with a strong commitment to producing high quality work.
• Committed to fostering 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.

Additional Information

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.  

Relocation is not provided for this position.

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.