Director, Corporate Incentives and Action

This position will be hybrid requiring a few days per week in office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC, London, The Hague, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Brazil, Columbia or Mexico City. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

The world needs to shift from economies based on exploiting people and nature to low-carbon economies that are good for people and good for the planet. Achieving the world’s people, nature, and climate goals will require major transformations of every human system that supports life on Earth — from the ways we produce and use food and energy to how we design cities – as well as to the economic, financial and political governance systems which underpin them. WRI works to drive transitions in focus countries where we can test, evaluate, and scale strategies and lessons learned, and also to set ambitious global commitments and initiatives. We bring change-makers together from governments, businesses, non-profits, and others to advance rigorous, evidence-based solutions and learning.

The Climate, Economics, and Finance Program is responsible in WRI for both driving forward changes in the finance, economic and governance systems at the global, country transition, and human system-level, as well as stewarding the Institute’s climate goal, with a focus on both adaptation and mitigation. It is responsible for delivering outcomes on climate ambition, country transitions, finance, adaptation, and corporate action.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to the Senior Director, Finance and Private-Sector Pillar, you will advise on WRI’s engagement with existing and emerging corporate climate and nature initiatives, based on this long-term strategy. They will fundraise to build and manage projects and teams within the CEF Program to deliver meaningful and impactful research publications, convenings, and initiatives. 

Working within the Finance and Private-Sector Pillar of the Global Climate, Economics, and Finance (CEF) Program, and in collaboration with the Food, Land, and Water (F|L|W) Program, the Corporate Incentives & Action Director will develop WRI’s longer term strategy in the area of corporate climate and nature incentives and action. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, able to look ahead to what’s needed over the next decade and how we get there, backed by in-depth understanding as an established expert in the fields of corporate incentives and action, including on climate and nature standards, regulations, targets, finance, and markets.

What will you do:

Program Strategy & Advisory (30%):

• Develop WRI strategy for driving greater corporate leadership, ambition and action, in line with science, data, and evidence, to help achieve the world’s climate, nature, and people goals through research and engagement
• Ensure new and existing projects related to corporate incentives and action within CEF (direct oversight role) and F|L|W (advisory role) advance and align with this and WRI’s wider strategy
• Facilitate development of internal guidance and/or external positions on complex issues, including at the climate-nature interface
• Support the development and implementation of CEF’s private-sector strategy, including helping develop theories of change and identify intervention targets, and tracking WRI’s efforts and impact as related to corporate actions
• Provide briefings and advisory support to WRI, CEF, and F|L|W leadership on corporate standards and incentives, in line with the strategic vision

Research & Engagement (40%):

• Lead and develop CEF’s research and work program on corporate incentives for climate action in close coordination with F|L|W’s related agenda on nature action, leading to evidence-based recommendations for a way ahead over the next decade, and how to get from where we are today to that longer term vision
• Author, oversee, and provide expert review on research publications, policy briefs, and other knowledge products for internal, expert, and public audiences
• Work with research, data, and communications colleagues to ensure work on corporate standards and incentives is well-targeted, intellectually robust, and reaches target audiences with messages that drive adoption at global scale and at the country level
• Convene discussions and provide thought-leadership on long-term goal and strategy for increasing corporate incentives and action, seeking to build consensus within and beyond the corporate climate and nature action ecosystem
• Represent WRI externally as participant in initiatives, at conferences and meetings, and in the media on issues related to corporate incentives and action

Management & Fundraising (30%):

• Cultivate new relationships and serve as primary fundraising lead for CEF’s corporate standards and incentives projects, leading annual- and multi-year proposals in the 6- and 7-figure range in coordination with teams across CEF, F|L|W and other WRI programs, and country-offices
• Manage projects to deliver work under CEF’s corporate standards and incentives portfolio, including oversight of project workplans, staffing, and budgets
• Provide direct management to a team of researchers, including senior managers, supporting their career trajectories and growth
• Proactively engage and share information with senior managers and project teams in F|L|W undertaking related corporate standards and incentives work on nature

What will you need:

• Education: You have completed a Master’s or or Ph.D. in environmental policy, business administration, or sustainable development, or other discipline related to corporate standards and incentives or corporate climate action ( or equivalent work experience);
• Experience: You have a minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience with at least 3 years of program management of similar scale
• Strong commitment to WRI’s mission, values, and approach, with demonstrated passion for addressing climate issues in the private-sector
• Recognition as a strategic thinker and open-minded thought-leader in the field with in-depth understanding of corporate incentives, standard-setting, target-setting, and climate action policies. Experience in corporate incentives and action related to nature also desirable
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work and be influential with internal and external partners at a high level and up to the highest standards of integrity
• Experience fundraising up to at least $1M annually, managing project budgets and assembling and leading staff and teams
• Demonstrated work with research-based policy recommendations, and a record of contributing to, reviewing, or participating in high-quality publications
• Languages: Excellent English writing and oral communication skills
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 164,000 and 197,000 USD. UK: 106 – 133K GBP. NL: 105K – 131K EUR. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 1 November 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities. 
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.