Location

Hybrid out of one of our EDF East Coast offices. Preferred: New York, NY. Alternatives: Boston, MA, Washington, D.C.

Department

EDF+Business

Application Instructions

Along with your resume, please submit a cover letter detailing your personal interest in the role and in EDF. Preference will be given to applications with cover letters and will be strongly considered over those who choose to submit only their resume/CV.

Program Overview

EDF+Business leverages the power of the market to create a more sustainable and equitable future – where companies, communities, and the environment thrive. We develop and deploy global business and investor engagement strategies that accelerate environmental leadership, innovation, and results across carbon-intensive industries and supply chains. We’ve been at the forefront of driving change in business for 30 years, bringing cutting-edge science, policy, and economic expertise to high-impact companies and sectors to transform business as usual in their products, operations, investments, and advocacy.

For more information on our work, visit  https://business.edf.org.

Overall Function

We partner with the private sector to advance innovative, clean, and prosperous business models that are grounded in science and supported by strong climate and energy policy. EDF’s global strategy builds on the financial sector’s growing focus on climate risks, decarbonization, and long-term economic resilience. Our vision is that by 2030, leading investors and insurers will be competing to finance climate-positive opportunities and using their influence and capital to accelerate the transition to a thriving, net-zero global economy.

Reporting to the SVP, EDF+Business, the Managing Director (MD) leads the vision, strategy, and direction for the EDF+Business Sustainable Finance team and its work across priority geographies. The MD identifies emerging trends and opportunities in global finance, banking, insurance, and private capital, and uses their network to understand key levers for impact. They collaborate across EDF to translate science and data-based insights into strategies that drive change in the financial sector and build partnerships with think tanks, academia, NGOs, and business to advance shared goals. The MD represents EDF in public forums, engages with media, and contributes visible and timely commentary that advances impact and strengthens EDF’s brand.

The MD leads and manages the Sustainable Finance team, engages in fundraising to support the work, represents the team in Board and advisory committee engagements, and tracks and reports progress and impact. The role is also part of the EDF+Business leadership, helping to oversee a diverse team of more than 60 professionals worldwide and contributing to the continued refinement and assessment of the EDF+Business strategy.

The MD will be recognized as a thought leader in sustainable finance and a catalyst for opportunities that help stabilize the climate and move the world toward a resilient and equitable global economy. They will advance strategies that accelerate the transition across sectors such as agriculture, shipping, nature, technology, and energy systems.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vision with Global Scope

Set and lead the Sustainable Finance vision and strategy in alignment with EDF+Business and EDF-wide goals.
Maintain a global perspective by partnering with teams in the United States, Europe, and Asia to implement regional approaches and identify emerging opportunities in sustainable finance, decarbonization, and climate risk reduction.
Serve on the EDF+Business leadership team to help shape strategy, work with Executive Leadership and the Board of Trustees, and support a diverse group of sixty people working across the wider team.

People Leadership, Culture, and Team Execution

Lead a high-performing global Sustainable Finance team of approximately fifteen professionals, establishing clear work plans and ensuring that plans translate into delivered results.
Manage effectively through ambiguity, providing clarity, simplifying complexity, and enabling senior staff to exercise leadership.
Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.
Foster a one-team mindset, collaborating closely with other EDF programs and regional teams and integrating science, economics, and environmental justice perspectives into all work.

Financial Strategy and Innovation

Develop creative and pragmatic financial strategies that help accelerate decarbonization, including the use of insurance-related mechanisms, catalytic or blended finance structures, and other innovative capital approaches.
Support external pilots and new financial vehicles with fund managers and bring strong relationships across insurers, investors, banks, development finance institutions, and family offices to advance this work.
Translate EDF research and analysis into proposals that are actionable for financial decision-makers and grounded in sound science.

External Engagement and Executive Presence

Represent EDF in front of executive audiences, board members, and at conferences, convenings, and small group sessions.
Build and maintain relationships with influential companies, investors, banks, insurers, NGOs, investor networks, and media outlets.
Elevate EDF’s work through public speaking, media engagement, and compelling storytelling that motivates financial decision-makers and moves capital toward equitable climate solutions.
Engage internal and external stakeholders to maintain alignment, provide updates, and strengthen credibility for EDF+Business efforts.

Operations, Governance, and Fundraising

Manage the Sustainable Finance team budget in partnership with the Finance team.
Partner closely with Development on fundraising efforts, including proposal development, donor and trustee stewardship, and participation in donor events.
Ensure transparent progress reporting, responsible oversight of resources, and clear communication with leadership and the Board.

Qualifications

Core Experience and Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field with at least 12 years of relevant experience in the financial sector. A Master’s degree or equivalent may substitute for up to 2 years of relevant experience.
Strong knowledge of finance, including capital markets, investment fundamentals, financial management, and financial instruments.
Global experience is essential, with demonstrated ability to work across regions such as the United States, Europe, Asia, and other international markets.

Leadership that Delivers

Proven track record of leading teams that execute effectively and deliver results.
Experience navigating ambiguity while providing structure, guidance, and sound decision-making.
Strong team management skills, including experience leading senior professionals and working within complex, matrixed organizations.
Demonstrated ability to build a cohesive, collaborative “one team” culture across internal groups with different mandates and expertise.

Financial Strategy, Innovation, and Networks

Creative thinker in the design of financial strategies, including the use of insurance mechanisms, blended or catalytic finance, guarantees, the establishment of new funds and instruments, and other capital approaches.
Well-connected within the finance ecosystem, with relationships across insurers, institutional investors, banks, development banks, family offices, and catalytic capital providers.
Knowledge of major climate finance standards, carbon accounting methods, and reporting frameworks such as TCFD and SBTi, and familiarity with climate and financial regulatory bodies in the United States, Europe, and globally.

Executive Presence and External Engagement

Skilled communicator who can speak confidently to executive audiences, boards, analysts, and large or small groups.
Experience with public speaking and comfortable engaging with media.
Ability to translate technical concepts into compelling and accessible messages for financial leaders.

Inclusive and Global Collaboration

Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency, inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
Experience in the NGO sector is a bonus but not required, provided the candidate is adaptable and mission-aligned.

Fundraising and Stewardship

Experience developing and writing grant proposals, including the ability to translate strategy and work plans into compelling cases for support.
Proven ability to engage with donors and trustees, provide thoughtful stewardship, and represent program work in fundraising conversations.
Experience partnering with Development teams and contributing to multi-funder fundraising strategies is highly valued.

We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.

Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.

235,000 - 250,000 USD

Environmental Defense Fund jobs

Managing Director, Sustainable Finance EDF+Business