Appointment of Executive Director

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programmes from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches.

EDF operates in over 20 countries around the world, with a track record of using rigorous science and economics, spanning political divides, mobilising public support, and catalysing innovation and investments to create solutions that are practical and implementable today. In Europe, we are working to stem methane emissions in the oil & gas sector, and to create incentives for new technologies that will slash greenhouse gas emissions in aviation and shipping.  A signature example of our approach is the Breathe London project, which uses new techniques that EDF has pioneered to collect hyperlocal data on air quality that will allow Londoners to understand the sources of air pollution and build political will for local solutions. 

EDF now seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to grow EDF’s reputation and effectiveness in Europe, drawing strength from EDF’s global vision, experience, and reach. Reporting to the Executive Vice President of EDF based in the US, and working closely with our Board, the Executive Director of EDF Europe is our lead representative and voice in Europe. They will develop and articulate EDF goals and strategies and work in close collaboration with senior programme staff around the globe to implement those strategies. The Executive Director will identify and establish a network of partners across the region, recognise and capitalise on opportunities for progress, and establish EDF as highly respected voice in Europe.

We are seeking candidates who are results-oriented; have demonstrated political acumen, sound judgement and fundraising success; and who thrive in a fast-moving, collaborative and interconnected global organisation. Our next Executive Director of Environmental Defense Fund Europe will have the demonstrable ability to manage, mentor and inspire our staff in Europe and build bridges with EDF staff across the globe, and as such experience of working in an international, complex, matrixed organization will be key. Bringing expert knowledge on environmental issues, trends and the landscape in Europe, the ED will be a talented communicator and external ambassador for EDF, raising our profile across the region and growing our networks through partnering with a range of actors. Adept at collaboration, the ED will also support our programme heads across climate, energy and oceans, to develop and articulate EDF’s priorities, strategies and activities in Europe, while building on and advancing EDF’s global goals and strategic plan. Furthermore, the Executive Director in Europe will need to work closely with our Development staff in order to develop and execute an ambitious fundraising strategy to raise the resources in Europe. Like all our staff, the successful candidate will be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and results are a way of life.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Daniel Flynn at Perrett Laver at daniel.flynn@perrettlaver.com.  To download further information and apply for this role, go to www.perrettlaver.com/candidates quoting reference number 4496. The deadline for applications is Friday January 24^th 2020 at 12 noon EST.

The Executive Director would preferably be based in London with the majority of our Europe team, although Amsterdam and Brussels will be considered as alternative locations. The Executive Director will be expected to travel frequently in Europe and internationally on occasion.