Director

SRI Executive Search has been contracted by WWF International to assist with the search for an exceptional candidate to fill the position of Director, WWF-Mediterranean.

About WWF International

We are an independent conservation organisation, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals and communities to business and government, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. Together, we seek to protect and restore natural habitats, stop the mass extinction of wildlife, and make the way we produce and consume sustainable.

For more information, visit https://wwf.panda.org/.

About WWF Mediterranean

WWF Mediterranean is a country office within the WWF International network and lead for the Mediterranean Marine Initiative (MMI). The MMI aims to bring innovative approaches to marine resource management and biodiversity protection to secure a sustainable future to Mediterranean’s wildlife and people. It brings together WWF offices and programmes from across the region in a concerted, coordinated effort to bring the Mediterranean Sea back to health. The work ranges from influencing government policy to working with fishing communities, from shaping business models to mobilizing millions of people to conserve the Mediterranean’s natural riches.

For more information, visit https://www.wwfmmi.org/.

Role Purpose

The Director, WWF Mediterranean, provides marine and conservation thought leadership as well as drives the vision, results, and impact to ensure the continuous development of the Mediterranean Marine Initiative, working closely with the WWF partner offices in the Mediterranean, donors, partners, and the MMI regional team. WWF Mediterranean acts primarily as the legal and operational host for the MMI, performing important operational and administrative functions to enable broader MMI success. The role leads and empowers a strong regional MMI team that collaborates with the broader Mediterranean marine teams in each of the WWF offices, as well as relevant colleagues in the WWF Oceans Community or other initiatives.

Major Function

- Leads and manages the MMI Strategy development, fundraising, and implementation in close collaboration with leaders and relevant staff in all WWF Mediterranean National Offices (NOs) and Country Offices (COs), supervising and developing the regional MMI Team.

- Provides thought leadership on key marine and conservation issues and manages key partnerships, including the Mediterranean regional institutions, donors and stakeholders, to ensure optimal communications and mutually beneficial relationships are established and maintained.

- Leads the strategic development and day-to-day management of WWF Mediterranean, which includes the MMI regional team and operational/administrative functions.

- Ensures the buy‑in, support and leadership of the MMI Board, comprising the WWF offices located around the Mediterranean plus the European Policy Office (EPO).

- Ensures delivery of the WWF Mediterranean Foundation’s statutory obligations, reporting to the Foundation Board.

- Provides effective leadership and performance management for all staff of WWF Mediterranean.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

- Conservation, Advocacy and Policy

- Fundraising, Communications and Partnerships

- Operational Excellence and Team Leadership

- Governance

Profile

- At least 10 years of professional experience in marine conservation, deep knowledge of the ocean conservation sector and demonstrated experience in strategy and project design, programme implementation, advocacy with stakeholders, from governments to science, marine resource agencies, fisheries and coastal communities.

- Knowledge of the Mediterranean cultural and socio-economic context, trends and challenges across the Mediterranean Sea and broader Europe and North Africa region.

- At least 10 years’ relevant professional experience in a leadership role, preferably within a Conservation or International Development institution or complex matrix environment.

- Advanced University degree in ocean/ecology/environmental sciences, International Relations, International Development, with additional training or equivalent professional experience in organisation leadership and business administration, with academic training (MBA) being a strong asset.

- Proven track record in successfully developing, leading, and managing large-scale programs and/or institutions in the field of conservation, natural resource management, international development, and/or other related fields.

- Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills.

- Excellent team building and management skills.

- Proven ability to manage complex portfolios and ensure programme delivery against agreed targets.

- Excellent understanding of risk-based/quality assurance approaches to managing projects and programs, and proven knowledge and experience of working with local communities and applying relevant social policies and safeguards.

- Successful track record in large-scale fundraising and institutional development.

- Ability to engage professionally and diplomatically with diverse stakeholders from government, multilateral institutions, private sector and local communities.

- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with additional languages such as Italian, Spanish, French and Arabic an advantage.

Working Relationships

Internal: Reports to the WWF International Europe/North Africa Regional Director in both roles as WWF International line manager and President of WWF Mediterranean Foundation; for the development and implementation of the MMI strategy and PIA, reports to the Chair of the MMI Board.

Interacts regularly with WWF International Europe/North Africa Team, Resource Mobilisation Team, Biodiversity Practice, Conservation Department. Works closely with the MMI Board and its members to generate and orchestrate support for the MMI. Coordinates the wider WWF Mediterranean marine team. Maintain close relations with WWF Oceans Community and other relevant WWF offices and initiatives.

External: Builds relations and works closely with implementing and donor partners (public sector partners, bilateral and multilateral, private sector partners), relevant governmental institutions, Mediterranean resource management and regional governance bodies, non-governmental organisations, as well as the private/business sector.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you click Apply and complete the Application Form by 28 November 2025 (23:59 hrs, GMT +1). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10 MB.

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

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