Location: Washington D.C., United States
World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world's leading conservation organizations, seeks a Managing Director, Sustainable Debt. Situated within WWF's Nature Finance and Investment (NFI) team, the Managing Director will lead a team that designs and oversees WWF's global strategy to mobilize financing from debt markets for nature and conservation priorities, at both the sovereign and corporate levels. The MD will build and lead a team responsible for identifying high-impact transaction opportunities, managing WWF's engagement from origination through close, and strengthening partnerships with sovereign, corporate, financial institutions, philanthropic and multilateral stakeholders. The role spans debt conversions, sustainability-linked loans and related sustainable debt instruments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic direction and implementation: originate, structure and scale WWF's global sustainable debt portfolio (debt conversions, sustainability-linked bonds and loans) in collaboration with WWF US teams and Country Offices.
- Corporate debt strategy: build WWF's capability as a provider of science-based KPIs for new corporate debt instruments; cultivate relationships with private sector firms, banks, investors, credit enhancement providers and lawyers.
- Execution: manage multiple large debt transactions in complex and changing political and economic circumstances.
- Management: oversee a small and growing NFI team, set priorities and pipeline, manage the pillar's budget and build staff capacity.
- External engagement: represent WWF in public and market-facing fora and within the Debt for Nature Coalition.
- Resource mobilization: raise donor funds and source investor capital for deal development and specific transactions.
Requirements:
- Advanced degree in Finance preferred; Economics, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science or related fields also considered.
- Minimum 15 years of experience in finance, international finance, debt capital markets, development finance institutions or equivalent.
- Strong knowledge of nature finance instruments (debt-for-nature swaps, sustainability-linked bonds, blended finance) and ability to negotiate complex financial and legal arrangements.
- Track record building alliances with sovereign, corporate, multilateral and financial partners, and mobilizing public and private financial resources.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary, multicultural teams, including work in and with the global south.
- Fluency in English required; Spanish and other languages desirable.
- Travel domestically and internationally up to about 25% of the time.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; the position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Relocation assistance may be considered.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the World Wildlife Fund SmartRecruiters page: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/WorldWildlifeFundInc1/744000150400239