Director Environment Programme

How to apply

Oak Foundation will be supported in this appointment process by the Executive Search Firm Perrett Laver in partnership with Alec Allen. For a complete information about the position and how to apply, please DOWNLOAD PDF HERE.

Application deadline: 14 June 2026

About Oak Foundation:
Oak Foundation (www.oakfnd.org) contributes to a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world through its grant-making. We are proud of the work our grant recipients do around the world every day, to help people and communities to thrive and to conserve our earth for future generations. With offices in Europe, Africa, and North America, we make grants to organisations located in approximately 40 countries worldwide. Based in the Foundation’s Geneva office, the Director is responsible for the overall leadership of the Environment (EP) Programme portfolio and the management of a team of five staff. (We expect to hire two additional programme officers in the next twelve months). Grant-making in 2026 totaled USD 32 million. The Director reports to the President and implements the grant-making aspirations of three Trustees. 

Main Responsibilities

Strategy Development
The Director is responsible for ensuring that the programme strategy continues to evolve by:

• Planning annually the implementation of the strategy;
• Initiating and encouraging strategic thinking in the team, with Oak’s President and with the lead Trustees, and to identify and develop opportunities;
• Identifying emerging issues or challenges to be addressed in the context of a broad programme agenda;
• Creating the space for the team to develop their thinking and expertise on new issues and approaches. 

Grant Management

• Under the overall direction of lead Trustees and President, managing the grant portfolio, providing technical input and overseeing budget allocation across the Programme for final sign-off by the Board; 
• Managing field building activities including network development, funder relationships, convenings, and collaborative projects; Overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and learning; 
• Supporting the team in negotiating major and innovative grants, including negotiations with other private and public funding partners; 
• Reporting to the Advisory Panel on the Programme’s outputs and budgeting. 

Team management

• Leading the EP team with a collaborative, supportive, and empathetic leadership style able to achieve and maintain clarity, performance, and decision-making; 
• Fostering a collegiate culture where team members share targets and responsibilities; 
• Managing team targets and deadlines whilst also supporting individuals to take responsibility for the part that they play in achieving these; 
• Providing opportunities for each team member to participate in Oak wide working and grant-making groups. 

Relationship and communication

• Forging, managing, and negotiating excellent relationships with grantees, Trustees, colleagues, peer organisations and other stakeholders; 
• Representing the EP programme and the Oak Foundation externally and contribute to thought leadership. 

Person Specification

Skills and experience required

• At least 15 years experience in the environment sector, and expertise and networks in these sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate a team of senior-level, diverse, international professionals.
• Ability to represent the EP Programme and Oak Foundation with clarity and impact to a range of stakeholders.
• Experience working in diverse geographies, and diverse experience in working with philanthropic, corporate, financial and multilateral sectors would be valuable.
• Advanced research and analytical skills and ideally an understanding of evaluation techniques and principles.
• Excellent relationship-building and negotiation skills, and ability to engage internal and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of non-profit financial reporting, budgeting, and organisational strategy.
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to analyse information from a variety of sources including potential and current grantees, researchers, and the media.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills, fluency in another language is preferred. 

Qualities and values

• Humility, tact, maturity, a sense of humour and a deep commitment to Oak’s organisational values.
• Sensitivity to the relationships between funder and recipient, and the ability and willingness to listen and learn from partners.
• Deep commitment to continuous leading and recognising the contributions of others.
• Willingness to travel (approx. 20-25 per cent, including multiple international trips each year). 

For more information, please DOWNLOAD PDF HERE.