Head of Design and Impact in Guildford

Job reference: REQ000966

£56,297pa + excellent benefits

Working: Surrey GU21 4LL / Hybrid Working

Hybrid working: Minimum 40% in person collaboration per month

About WWF-UK

We’re a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world. At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left isn’t enough. We’re racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it’s a race we can win with everyone’s help. We’re courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.

About the role

We’re excited to be recruiting a Head of Design and Impact to lead WWF-UK’s work on programme design, impact measurement and learning, ensuring our strategies, programmes and projects deliver meaningful outcomes for people and nature. In this role, you’ll lead a specialist team providing expert advice and quality assurance across the organisation, supporting strong programme design, effective monitoring and evaluation, and the embedding of WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, portfolio leads and teams across conservation, policy, advocacy and fundraising, helping ensure impact is clearly evidenced and learning is embedded in how we work. You’ll also play a senior advisory role, providing assurance to the Executive Group and Trustees on the quality of programme design and impact reporting, and working with the wider WWF network to strengthen approaches to impact, learning and accountability. This is a senior leadership role for someone with deep expertise in design, monitoring and evaluation, strong people leadership skills, and the confidence to influence across complex programmes and stakeholders in a global context.

Skills and experience

• Essential
• Significant experience leading the design, monitoring, evaluation and learning of strategies, programmes or projects in a conservation, development or policy context
• Proven experience leading and developing specialist teams, including performance management and creating a strong learning culture
• Strong expertise in programme and project design, quality assurance and evidence of impact
• Experience embedding environmental and social safeguards, including safeguarding and ethical standards, into programme design and delivery
• Experience advising and influencing senior stakeholders, including Directors, Executive leadership or Trustees
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, able to translate technical concepts into clear, practical guidance
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple teams and disciplines, including with fundraising and partnerships
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to make data and evidence meaningful for different audiences
• Excellent organisational skills, able to manage multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines
• Strong alignment with WWF-UK’s mission, values and purpose

• Desirable
• Experience working within international conservation or development programmes, including with partners or offices in multiple countries
• Experience supporting fundraising bids through programme design, monitoring or reporting
• Experience with outcome monitoring linked to performance-based funding or finance mechanisms
• Understanding of global monitoring or reporting frameworks
• Experience working with or influencing global networks or multi-country organisations
• Competency in an additional language relevant to WWF’s global work

What we offer

We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect:

• Annual leave starting at 26 days a year, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
• 7.5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
• Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness.

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.

How to apply

Click the link to apply via our website. You’ll be asked to complete an application form and upload your CV and a supporting statement that tells us why you’ll be a great addition to WWF-UK. Application closing date: 01/03/2026

Our Diversity Promise to You

At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself. We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. So, if there’s anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give our Talent Acquisition Team a shout via our website.

Safeguarding Commitment

Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter. Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent. We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting. If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF-UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.