Associate Director - Corporate Initiatives (Conservation)

Associate Director, Corporate Initiatives (Conservation)

Salary: Competitive

Location: Central London HQ and consideration for international candidates in locations given if deemed particularly relevant to the responsibilities of the role

Contract type: 18 Month Fixed Term Contract

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus public holidays

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Benefits: Pension scheme (non-contributory), private medical insurance, life insurance, season ticket loan

Overview:

The Royal Foundation\’s Nature Conservation Programme is seeking a highly experienced and exceptional Associate Director, Corporate Initiatives. This role will be integral to delivering on a newly joined up nature and oceans strategy with The Earthshot Prize. That strategy will build and amplify catalytic campaigns to drive global solutions and impact at scale, while delivering tangible results for people and our planet, building on the platform provided by The Royal Foundation programmes (including United for Wildlife) and The Earthshot Prize finalists. The Associate Director, Corporate Engagement, will focus on business, including business coalitions and wider shifts to business policies and practices, to deliver on global nature objectives and achieve real-world results.

Role Purpose:

Reporting to the Executive Director – Conservation, the Associate Director will review the current United for Wildlife business taskforces, work with stakeholders to develop a new strategy for the taskforces, and coordinate delivery of that strategy, leading up to a high-level moment in 2026. The strategy should reflect the Royal Foundation\’s unique role and value-add, and ensure accountability for commitments made, and be designed closely with The Royal Foundation teams.

United for Wildlife, founded by Prince William, has established a transport taskforce to deliver on the 2016 Buckingham Palace Declaration and a financial taskforce to deliver on the 2018 Mansion House Declaration. Together, these taskforces now have over 350 corporate members. 2026 represents a decade since the original formation of the first taskforce and provides a unique moment to take stock of action, what has worked and what has not worked, and to a pathway for the future.

Key Accountabilities, but not limited to:

• Reviewing the progress of the two Taskforces, including a review of the existing membership, their level of engagement, the impact of the current approach and the evidence base.
• Designing and developing a strategy for the future of the Taskforces, which includes:
  • Re-evaluating the theory of change for the Taskforces, including their objectives and impact.
  • Considering the value proposition for businesses.
  • Considering the sectors that are engaged, and the potential and desirability of engaging either specifically with sectors or adding new sectors (e.g. airlines, shipping, airports, ports, logistics, ecommerce, financial services).
  • Considering the governance of the Taskforces, structure and resourcing;
  • Refreshing the Declarations and considering the implicit or explicit accountability framework;
  • Developing impact measurement frameworks and indicators, and how these will be operationalised.
• Go beyond voluntary business taskforces to consider how to shift business sectors, through sectoral guidance and policies and their application, and if there is a role for the Royal Foundation and the taskforces in driving sectoral change.
• Designing and coordinating delivery of a major moment in 2026 to refresh the Taskforces.
• Building coalitions of stakeholders (businesses, governments, experts, NGOs) in support of Taskforce objectives.

Relevant knowledge, experience and personal qualities:

• Proven experience in the corporate sustainability sector, with a track record of convening and delivering large-scale programmes.
• Track record in leading the conceptualisation, design and execution of innovative programmes that anticipate and address future needs.
• Broad working knowledge of international policy and sector issues, and experience with high-level events and convenings.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to build high performing networks, encourage personal growth in teams and inspire and empower colleagues to drive action.
• Ability to adjust communication style for a range of audiences and quick to build relationships of trust with key stakeholders.
• Ability to rapidly assimilate evidence, insights and intelligence to clearly communicate opportunities and risks to internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong time management and organisational skills. Able to work independently, prioritise own tasks and time, manage a varied workload and work under pressure.
• Strong critical thinking and judgement and able to apply this to strategic and tactical issues.
• Combines a collaborative approach with accountability and an ability to drive action and decision-making.
• Passionate about creating a healthier society with the ability to work within the non-political constraints of The Royal Foundation.
• Understands the importance of discretion and confidentiality and the need for a mature and professional approach.

Our Company & Culture:

The Royal Foundation is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to ensuring a positive, safe, and respectful environment which promotes the wellbeing and dignity of our employees, partners, suppliers, and those whose interests we represent. We are committed to promoting a positive and inclusive working environment that has a diversity of people and views, and one that supports our culture of collaboration and curiosity. These principles underpin our professional behaviour and are embedded in our policies, procedures, day-to-day practices, and external relationships. We therefore welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

If you have the relevant skills and enthusiasm for the role, then we want to hear from you.

PLEASE SUBMIT A COVER LETTER that outlines why you are excited about this opportunity and why you believe you are a strong fit for the role. In your letter, please specifically highlight how you demonstrate each of the 8 key areas of knowledge, experience, and personal qualities listed in the job description.

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references.

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