Head of Green Finance Team

Do you want to work together with inspired colleagues to create a world in which nature and people thrive? And help build a ‘nature positive’ impact in biodiverse priority landscapes around the world by mobilising people to act? That is what you will do when you work at WWF-Netherlands (WWF-NL).

WWF-NL is a professional and dynamic organization with an informal working culture based in Zeist, the Netherlands. The working language is English. The organisation consists of four departments: Conservation, Engagement, Organization & Talent Development and Finance & Operations. In this light WWF-NL 's Conservation department is looking for a

Head of Green Finance Team

(40 hours)

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of WWF-NL’s most influential programs, working at the crossroads of finance, climate, biodiversity and innovation. You will set strategic direction, develop high-impact partnerships, and strengthen WWF’s thought leadership on sustainable finance, from boardrooms to Brussels and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Shape and execute WWF-NL’s Green Finance strategy to drive systemic change toward nature-positive, climate-resilient finance;
• Represent WWF-NL within WWF’s global Finance Practice, influencing strategy and collaboration across the network;
• Serve as a senior member of the Conservation Leadership Team, co-developing WWF-NL’s broader conservation vision.

• Thought Leadership & Influence
• Act as WWF-NL’s lead spokesperson on green finance, shaping national and international policy agendas, speaking at industry events, and engaging the media;
• Influence key frameworks and regulations (e.g. CSRD, EU Taxonomy, TNFD, SBTN) through evidence-based advocacy, positioning WWF-NL as a leading voice on nature-related risk and opportunity.
• Partnership Building & Innovation
• Build and strengthen partnerships with financial institutions, supervisory authorities, public agencies, academia and civil society to scale up impact;
• Translate cutting-edge science and frameworks into actionable strategies for the financial sector, and initiate pilots that can shape market practice.

• Team & Budget Leadership
• Lead, inspire and develop a diverse team (~10 FTE) of experienced and early-career professionals;
• Manage a multi-million euro budget, ensure program sustainability, and collaborate with fundraising teams to secure long-term resources.

What You Bring

You are a bold, purpose-driven leader with deep expertise in sustainable finance, a strong network in the financial ecosystem, and a track record of systems-level impact. You know how to drive transformation - not alone, but by building coalitions, shaping agendas, and working across sectors.

You are a connector, strategist and influencer. You’re ready to collaborate with central banks, regulators, institutional investors, asset managers, policy makers, and NGO leaders. You bring credibility, clarity, and courage to the conversation.

Must-haves:

• 10+ years of experience in sustainable finance, corporate sustainability, development finance or a related field;
• 5+ years of senior leadership and team management experience;
• Strategic understanding of frameworks such as TNFD, CSRD, EU Taxonomy, SBTN, etc.;
• Proven ability to influence high-level stakeholders in the financial sector;
• Strong public presence and communication skills (written and verbal);
• Understanding of biodiversity, conservation, or climate science;
• Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus.

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience in both nonprofit and corporate/financial environments;
• Experience working in or with international networks, think tanks, or multilateral institutions.

Why WWF?

At WWF, you join a global movement for a sustainable future. We offer you:

• A mission-driven organization with global reach and a strong local network;
• A dynamic, interdisciplinary environment where innovation is encouraged;
• A highly skilled and motivated team passionate about driving change;
• A hybrid working model and a culture that supports wellbeing and balance;
• A competitive salary and benefits package aligned with the Dutch NGO sector.

Core values

You recognize yourself in the core values of WWF-NL:

• Courage
• Integrity
• Respect
• Collaboration

What do we offer?

• An office surrounded by nature;
• Fun colleagues and the chance to build up an international network;
• Vegetarian lunches in our canteen and free after work drinks every other Thursday and fun Green Finance team activities;
• An employment contract of 40 hours. Initially, a fixed-term employment contract of one year with a one-month probation period will be offered;
• Salaries that are in line with the standard in the Dutch not for profit sector; The minimum gross monthly salary is € 5.445 and the maximum is € 8.043 EUR depending on relevant experience (based on a 40-hour contract);
• Staff receive a personal budget that is made up of 8% holiday allowance and 2,08% flexible budget, and receive 6 weeks of holiday per year (based on a 40-hour contract);
• We stimulate flexible working arrangements, the use of public transport and bike for work related travel. Employees receive an NS Business Card for 2nd class travel to and from work;
• We also have a hybrid working model, so staff can alternate working from home and from the office.

Information and procedure

If you are interested in this position, please apply by the end of September 21st 2025 using the form below.

The first interviews take place in the week of the 29th of September. Before the second interview our candidates will have to take a leadership assessment with an external party. This assessment takes place in the week of the 6th of October, and will take about a morning. The results will be discussed in the second interview in the week of October 13th.

Please note that in order to work for WWF-NL, you need a valid work permit in The Netherlands.

If you have any questions about the application process, you can contact Sophie Fitas, Recruiter (sfitas@wwf.nl). For more information about WWF-NL, you can visit our website: www.wnf.nl

We actively strive for our employees to reflect society and the international character of our organization. We therefore especially encourage candidates with backgrounds that are normally underrepresented to apply.

We consider the safety and protection of our colleagues as important. The successful candidate is therefore required to complete an integrity statement and supply a Certificate of Good Conduct (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag). We may also ask for references.

If you are an intermediary, please do not contact us. We will contact recruitment agencies ourselves if necessary.