Director, Multilateral Partnerships presso None

Position:                                   Director, Multilateral Partnerships

Reports to:                               Vice President, Strategic Development  

Position Managed:                   None

Location:                                  Washington DC, US

Country Program/Sector:       GCP/ Strategic Development  

Scope:                                        Global

Position Type:                            Full-Time

Job Summary:
The Director, Multilateral Partnerships is a senior leader responsible for advancing WCS’s Global Conservation Program (GCP) conservation impact through the development of strategic partnerships, resource mobilization, and engagement with multilateral institutions and influencers. This role focuses on mobilizing support for WCS’s Global Conservation Strategy through aligned policy, communications, and fundraising—particularly in Washington DC. The Director will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to identify transformative opportunities, shape strategic initiatives, and position WCS as a global leader in conservation. The Director Multilateral Partnerships, based in DC, reports to the Vice President, Strategic Development and will coordinate closely with WCS Public Affairs and other DC based teams, regional and country programs, thematic programs, Grants Management & Compliance (GMC).

Major Responsibilities:
Working with the Vice President, Strategic Development to:

Strategic Partnerships and Donor Engagement

• Serve as WCS’s primary relationship manager with multilateral partners in Washington, D.C., maintaining and expanding strategic relationships to support the GCP’s conservation priorities.

• Build alliances with other conservation organizations and NGOs where they strategically complement and amplify WCS’s global mission and impact.

• Liaise with internal stakeholders across regional, thematic, and GMC teams to align multilateral engagement with program priorities.

Multilateral Funding and Resource Mobilization

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities through major multilateral mechanisms (e.g. GEF), including supporting the design and coordination of large-scale, long-term proposals.

• Develop and maintain deep understanding of the funding priorities, strategies, and policy agendas of multilateral institutions and communicate emerging trends and opportunities to WCS teams.

• Support and sometimes lead proposal development, including writing, workplan coordination, partner engagement, and internal capacity-building.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Positioning

• Advise on and contribute to the development of GCP’s strategic approach to multilateral funding, including positioning for new opportunities and alignment with institutional priorities.

• Elevate WCS’s profile in key policy and donor forums, ensuring the organization is effectively represented at global and regional multilateral events

• Coordinate WCS’s engagement in high-level dialogues and multilateral events and assist with organizing and managing strategic meetings and convenings.

Policy Influence and External Representation

• Work with internal teams to develop policy positions and strategies to influence multilateral conservation investment agendas aligned with WCS’s conservation strategy.

• Represent WCS externally at key policy, donor, and stakeholder events, serving as a thought leader on trends in conservation finance and multilateral engagement.

Strategic Communications

• Develop and support high-impact communications, including briefing materials, reports, and presentations that advance multilateral funding objectives and organizational visibility.

• Contribute to the development and dissemination of strategic messaging in collaboration with the communications and development teams.

Internal Coordination and Capacity Support

• Collaborate with GMC and program teams to ensure WCS compliance and readiness for complex multilateral grants, including support for training and procedural development

• Provide internal guidance on multilateral priorities, trends, and requirements to ensure WCS is well-positioned and prepared to engage.

Job Qualifications:

• Masters degree in a field relevant to conservation and/or international development.

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in multilateral funding for conservation, development, policy design and government programs, grants management or related fields.

• Knowledge of multilateralism, the drivers and constraints for multilateral funding of conservation issues, familiarity with WCS’s global programs and a commitment to WCS’s mission.

• Relevant professional experience in conservation, multilateral grant design, NGO implementation of bilateral and multilateral programs, or other related fields.

• Knowledge of conservation issues, familiarity with WCS’s global programs and a commitment to WCS’s mission.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Fluency in English language required

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, generating innovative ways to drive performance and impact.

• Excellent organizational skills, including ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines; provide high quality products with attention to detail; ability to set and follow priorities and get others to follow priorities, through influence rather than direct management.

Additional Requirements:

• Working across multiple time zones required, including outside of normal office hours.

• Fluency in an additional language used within GCP regional and country programs would be an asset.

• Travel up to 20% of the time, sometimes on short notice.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.

Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.