Director, Regenerative Fund

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 could be based in Arlington-VA, Seattle-WA, United States (remote), United Kingdom (remote), Belgium, South Africa, or Brazil (remote)

The Regenerative Fund Director’s primary focus will be the Regenerative Fund for Nature, an industry-leading initiative founded in 2021. This initiative includes a portfolio of global projects focused on implementing regenerative agriculture practices for key fashion and textile materials.

The position is responsible for overall strategic direction, program management, and ensuring that the Fund’s project portfolio, initiatives, and outcomes align with the key principles of the Regenerative Fund. These principles include Soil Health, Biodiversity, Animal Welfare, Climate, Water, and Improved Livelihoods. This position will serve as the day-to-day lead on the Fund and the primary point of contact for our corporate partners. Key focus areas include commodity market development, regenerative agriculture practices, landscape-level initiatives, long-term financing mechanisms, and project design are essential components of this position’s responsibilities.

This position is within the Sustainable Fashion team and works closely with the Conservation Stewards Program, Moore Center for Science, Conservation Finance, and Corporate Partnerships teams. The Sustainable Fashion team sits within a dynamic and growing Center for Sustainable Lands and Waters (CSLW). CSLW works to introduce scalable, sustainable development initiatives that align community, policy, and market-based incentives at the global, regional, and local levels. Focus areas include the implementation of community-based incentives, freshwater conservation, and efforts to improve the sustainability of key commodities, including coffee, palm oil, soy, tuna, and shrimp.

Duties are diverse and include designing and implementing strategy, donor engagement, technical and administrative backstopping, team supervision, and fundraising. The Director ensures compliance with CI policies, program and funding agreements, and local requirements. They regularly represent CI, build alliances, and engage key external stakeholders including government and non-government officials, donors, and other parties critical to program success. The Director works across interdisciplinary teams and/or outside partners. They work with a high degree of independence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage Regenerative Fund for Nature strategy focused on scale and innovation, further defining commodity market opportunities for the adoption of regenerative fibers in fashion and textile industries.
• Lead Fund operations, including program oversight and implementation, financial management, and reporting requirements in partnership with the Conservation Stewards Program and CSLW Operations and Grants and Contracts teams.
• Work across internal interdisciplinary teams to drive scientific and technical excellence within the Fund’s projects.
• Manage key external relationships with donors and partners, serving as the primary point of contact for the day-to-day operations of the Fund.
• Manage Fund governance including oversight and agenda of the Secretariat and Operations Committee in partnership with Conservation Stewards Program staff and donors.
• Develop and drive the project selection process from start to finish, including defining priority geographies and commodities, leading Request for Proposals, analyzing project impact, and finalizing selection with partners.
• Oversee annual programmatic, financial, and technical reports, ensuring on-time delivery to partners.
• Effectively engage stakeholders including donors, government and NGOs, technical colleagues, and other partners important to program success.
• Represent the organization externally and serve as a trusted point of contact and advisory for CI.
• Identify opportunities for program growth and development. Support program financial sustainability by identifying funding opportunities. Contribute to funding proposals and regional/global fundraising efforts.
• Ensure compliance with CI policies including CI Safeguards System, funding agreements, and local requirements.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  
  

People and Resource Management Responsibilities

• Manages the program’s budget and finances.
• Manage public or private funds; ensure compliance with donor requirements and CI policies.
  
  

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Local and/or international travel of 30% or more, often in difficult travel conditions.
• Ability to work in remote locations or under difficult working conditions.
• Guidance on flexible work arrangements will be shared during the interview process.
  
  

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and 7 or more years of related work experience in corporate sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and/or grantee management.
• Expertise and/or experience in regenerative agriculture, including topics such as soil health, animal welfare, biodiversity, carbon, water, and livelihoods.
• Knowledge of fashion and textile fiber industries, supply chains, and stakeholders in cotton, wool, leather, and cashmere.
• Program leadership or project management experience, preferably in the global conservation, NGO, advocacy, or related for-profit arena.
• Excellent technical and analytical skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Team player and able to work effectively with diverse workgroups in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A record of success in influencing and partnering with key stakeholders and raising funds.
• Proven ability to multitask and meet priorities. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and under minimal supervision.
• Fluency in English is required.
  
  

Preferred

• Advanced degree.
• Experience working in field-based programs, such as conservation and agriculture-based initiatives.
• Experience managing a philanthropic fund including an ongoing portfolio of grantees.
• Knowledge of Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks and reporting.
  
  

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility-committed employer. We are proud to have a diverse, global workforce where employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, position requirements, business needs, market conditions, merit, and other legitimate nondiscriminatory factors.