Head, Sustainable Finance, Communications – Wwf International (location: Flexible In Wwf International Hubs)

WWF International is seeking a Head of Sustainable Finance Communications, based in flexible locations within WWF hubs. The role involves developing and implementing strategic communications to support global conservation efforts, focusing on sustainable finance and its impact on systems transformation. Responsibilities include co-creating integrated communication strategies, providing thematic expertise, and ensuring coherent messaging across the organization to enhance WWF's credibility and influence.
1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

1) Enable the WWF mission through driving a strong, inspiring, compelling, and strategic communications approach to ensure and support conservation impact in line with the strategic priorities of WWF International.

2) To drive strategic communications to the Network, Governing bodies, International Secretariat and leadership in support of WWF International strategic priorities. To drive the strategic alignment on articulating consistent external positions on emerging issues across the Network. To ensure a coherent ‘One WWF, One Voice’ by integrating and supporting the communications, media and brand functions across WWF International and supporting these services to the network (offices in over 90 countries).To engage targeted audiences across the globe to accelerate conservation impact, influence decision makers and to build the WWF brand. To facilitate and coordinate the development and alignment to a global communications strategy. To provide common technology platforms Network-wide to enable communication with key audiences.

3) To provide a Centre of Excellence to the Network and convene the Communications Community in terms of communications practice.

2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS
• Manages planning, development and implementation of strategic communications to achieve global conservation and sustainable development outcomes. Recognizing the key role of communications and brand in building and maintaining WWF’s credibility and influence, this position is a thematic communications expert within the Global Communications department.
• As part of the Global Communications department, in the Stakeholder Relations Division, works in close collaboration with colleagues in the Global Conservation Division, supporting identified and agreed needs in accordance with integrated and overarching communications planning.
• Recognising the central role of private finance in driving global systems transformation, provide specialised communications leadership and expertise on sustainable finance, financial systems, and the role of economic and financial actors in achieving Roadmap 2030 objectives.
• Work closely with the Finance Practice (its core team and network community)and relevant Global Conservation Division stakeholders, including the Public Sector Partnerships team, to integrate robust sustainable finance messaging and a core narrative into global communications.

3 Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Co-create and implement an integrated conservation communications strategy
• Working with Global Communications leaders, co-create and implement an integrated conservation communications strategy for Roadmap 2030.
• Co-create and implement a global sustainable finance communications strategy that elevates the role of financial systems, capital flows and economic decision-makers as critical levers for systems transformation, in line with Roadmap 2030.
• Lead development of a clear, compelling global narrative on sustainable finance that positions WWF as a credible actor influencing financial institutions, regulators and market rules.

2. Provide thematic communications expertise across workstreams
• Provide thematic communications expertise to embed compelling, coherent storytelling into core conservation priorities.
• Provide specialist communications expertise on sustainable finance within multi-disciplinary workstreams.
• Ensure alignment and integration across the Finance Practice, Public Sector Partnerships and Global Policy Impact teams, particularly where finance intersects with key conservation outcomes.

Support communications around WWF’s engagement in finance-relevant policy arenas and standard-setting processes (e.g.: with international fora, industry-led sustainable finance initiatives founded and/or managed by WWF).

3. Support internal communications and Network alignment
• Develop and coordinate internal communications to strengthen alignment and capability across the Network.
• Equip offices with clear, accessible messaging on the role of sustainable finance in Roadmap 2030 to support internal understanding and external engagement with partners, donors and policy-makers.

4. Lead development of products, content and materials
• Lead the development of communications products, messaging and content that support global priorities.
• Translate complex finance topics — such as nature-related risks, ESG reforms, capital allocation, transition finance and due diligence — into accessible messages for internal and external audiences.
• Lead or support media relations, digital content, public engagement and campaign communications as appropriate.
• Develop sustainable finance thought leadership by profiling WWF experts and leaders through commentary, stakeholder engagement, sector-specific external events, and visibility in key finance moments throughout the year.

5. Safeguard consistent messages & guidance
• Ensure alignment of global messaging, guidance and branding across public and internal communications.
• Safeguard consistency in sustainable finance messaging across the Network, including guidance on sensitive or technical financial topics.
• Shape messaging for stakeholders across the financial-sector, philanthropic and corporate donors that articulates the value of systems-level financial transformation in achieving conservation outcomes.

4 PROFILE

Required Qualifications.
• Bachelor’s degree qualification in a relevant subject
• 10 years strategic communications experience obtained in an international, national or high-profile organisation, with proven ability in developing and implementing communication strategies and work plans for both internal and external audiences.
• Experience or familiarity with sustainable finance, financial-sector communications, or communicating technical finance concepts to non-specialist audiences is a strong advantage.
• Experience of working in a complex international environment;
• Business development mindset where communications directly contribute to business objectives;
• Results-oriented with a hands-on style;
• Strong diplomacy, influencing, and persuasion skills;
• Capacity for working in a pressured and fast-moving environment.

Required Skills and Competencies.
• Demonstrated experience of working in an international setting is essential, as is success in communicating complex issues in a persuasive way to a wide variety of audiences at all levels using diverse channels (transmedia approach).
• Proven track record in successful international communications strategies and activities undertaken in a multicultural setting, coupled with the ability to anticipate and capitalize on opportunities and achieve high profile results.
• Demonstrable experience and success in working closely with partners, negotiating joint approaches and messages around controversial topics is essential.
• Familiarity with a wide range of communication tools and approaches, their potential impact and their suitability for an organization like WWF.
• Long-term planning and analytical skills, as well as demonstrated ability to multi-task and work effectively to tight deadlines without compromising quality, are necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as are skills in partnership development and the ability to develop relationships with a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal, supported by strong proficiency with software and digital tools. Fluent English is essential; other languages would be an asset.
• The candidate must also be willing to travel.
• Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organization: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal.

Working closely with the leadership and teams of the Global Communications department, Global Conservation Division (e.g. departments, Practice Leaders, Sr. Directors together with the Core Team, Focal Points), and the WWF Network of Communicators and Policy/Advocacy leads.

Engage directly as part of the Global Communications department’s Stakeholder Relations team and the rest of the Communications teams at WWF-International.

External.

Stakeholders within business and industry to governments, NGOs, donors, partners and consumers, media, and agreed third party suppliers. Engagement with investors, financial intuitions, industry associations, standard-setters, analysts and corporate partners.