Finance Sector Advocacy Manager

WWF-UK; Woking; Hybrid; GBP 99,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Pension scheme (7.5% employer)

Annual leave 26–31 days

Learning and development

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

WWF-UK is seeking a Finance Sector Advocacy Manager to lead our advocacy with the financial sector and support a transition to a sustainable economy. This fixed-term maternity cover role (up to 12 months) sits in the Advocacy Directorate and involves guiding a small team to influence banks, investors, and financial institutions.

You will work with colleagues across WWF-UK and our partners to identify priorities, coordinate activities, and represent WWF externally at events and in negotiations

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the finance sector, with climate/nature risk awareness or related instruments.

Responsibilities

• Lead WWF-UK advocacy with the financial sector and influence policy/practice.
• Build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders across business, finance and civil society.
• Represent WWF-UK externally and contribute to events and partnerships.
• Manage a high-performing team and drive progress across advocacy, public affairs and policy.

Skills

Finance sector understanding

Influencing stakeholders

Line management

Public speaking

Strategic planning

Partnership development

Adaptability

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Location: Living Planet Centre, Woking, Surrey
Contract: Up to 12 months Maternity Cover, full time (35 hours)
Hybrid working: Minimum 40% in person collaboration per month
Salary: £57,986 to £76,387 per annum + excellent benefits
Safeguarding level: Level One

About the role

We’re excited to be recruiting an Finance Sector Advocacy Manager to lead WWF-UK’s advocacy with the financial sector and support the transition to a more sustainable economy.

This is a fixed-term role Maternity Cover role (up to 12 months) within our Advocacy Directorate, leading a small, high-performing team working to influence the finance sector and deliver a major partnership with one of the world’s largest financial institutions.

Financial markets have a powerful role to play in shaping the future of our economy and our planet. The decisions made by banks, investors and other financial institutions can either accelerate progress on climate and nature or hold it back. This role will help WWF-UK influence that system and build support for the changes needed.

Reporting to the Head of Business Advocacy, you’ll lead delivery our advocacy aimed at influencing financial sector leaders, building support for WWF’s priorities and helping drive change across the finance sector.

You’ll work closely with colleagues across WWF-UK, the wider WWF network and our corporate partners to develop clear advocacy priorities, identify opportunities for influence and make sure activity is well coordinated across advocacy, public affairs, conservation, communications and policy.

A key part of the role will be building strong relationships with senior stakeholders across business, finance, and civil society. You’ll represent WWF-UK externally, contribute to events and speaking opportunities and help create the conditions for financial institutions and decision-makers to act.

You’ll also be an excellent people manager, able to inspire and motivate your team and play a matrix leadership role across the organisation and wider WWF Network.

We’re looking for someone who combines strong advocacy experience with a deep understanding of the financial sector, developed either by working within or closely with financial institutions. You’ll be confident influencing senior stakeholders, working across complex partnerships and turning ambitious goals into clear, practical action.

Skills and experience

• Deep understanding of the finance sector, demonstrated by experience working on climate or nature related risks, structuring financial instruments with climate or nature outcomes, or engagement with clients/portfolio companies on climate and nature risks and opportunities.
• Extensive influencing experience in or targeted at the financial sector, demonstrated by examples of significant impact on policy, political or financial sector change and knowledge of how to use a range of approaches to influence a political, business, and finance agenda;
• Demonstrable experience of exceptional personal influencing skills, including developing and influencing key stakeholders, changing opinions, and creating significant change in a financial or business setting
• Experience of line managing a high-performing team
• A commitment to the mission of WWF
• Superb relationship-building skills – experience with matrix working, building and nurturing relationships and successfully coordinating large, complex projects with multiple stakeholders (internal and external) including experience of influencing without authority
• Ability to represent WWF – regularly presenting to Directors/CEO level and external partners, speaking and negotiating on behalf of WWF
• Clarity of focus, able to see the bigger picture and make the links between your work and the wider WWF programmes and outside events
• Willing and able to adapt to changing priorities to meet new demands
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to make well-judged decisions, adapt to changing priorities and maintain momentum towards challenging goals.
• Experience working on financial sector advocacy in Asia or with an understanding of relevant regional and geopolitical dynamics
• Experience of working within a financial institution
• Experience working within an international NGO, global network or complex partnership environment
• Experience engaging directly with senior government officials, financial sector leaders or major corporate partners
• Public speaking or media experience
• Experience managing budgets alongside complex advocacy or partnership programmes

What we offer

We believe in rewarding our team with more than just a salary. Here’s what you can expect:

• Annual leave starting at 26 days a year, rising one day each year to 31 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options, to support your work life balance
• 7.5% employer contribution to pension, rising to 10% with employee contribution
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow
• Regular wellbeing initiatives to support your health and happiness.

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have theRight to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

This role is hybrid with a minimum 40% of your contracted hours spent at our beautiful UK head office, the Living Planet Centre in Woking, Surrey, where you’ll hot desk among trees and gardens.

About WWF-UK

We’re a global conservation charity with millions of supporters and hundreds of projects around the world.

At WWF-UK, we’re bringing our world back to life. Protecting what’s left isn’t enough. We’re racing to restore nature and prevent catastrophic climate change. And it’s a race we can win with everyone’s help.

We’re courageous, passionate, and driven by science. For more than 60 years we’ve been at the forefront of global efforts to protect wildlife and the natural world. We work with integrity, collaboration and deep respect for those we partner with.

Our Diversity Promise to You

At the heart of our mission is a simple truth: the planet needs everyone. That means you - in all your uniqueness, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or how you choose to express yourself.

We don’t do stereotypes. We work together with purpose, driven by passion and enhanced by respect, courage, and integrity. We pull together from all walks of life to fight for a better future, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way.

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.

So, if there’s anything we can do to make your application or interview experience more comfortable or accessible, just give ourTalent Acquisition Teama shout at [e-mail].

Safeguarding Commitment

Just as we celebrate diversity in all its forms, we are equally dedicated to creating a safe environment for every person we work with or encounter.

Our commitment extends to children, adults at risk, and individuals experiencing any form of vulnerability, whether temporary or permanent.

We proudly stand behind CAPSEAH (Common Approach to Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment) and put this commitment into action through clear policies, thorough training, and recruitment checks tailored to each role, which may include external vetting.

If you ever have a concern, however big or small, know that there are confidential channels ready to support you at WWF-UK. We promise to respond promptly and with care, because protecting every individual is at the heart of everything we do.

WWF-UK is a registeredcharity in England and Wales 1081247 and in Scotland SC039593and a company limited by guarantee registered in England andWales 4016725.