Chief Executive Officer, WWF-Hungary

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WWF Central and Eastern Europe

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Budapest, Hungary

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WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organisations, active in nearly 100 countries with the mission to stop the degradation of the natural environment and build a future where people and nature thrive.

WWF Central and Eastern Europe (WWF-CEE) operates across seven countries, delivering cross-border conservation impact in one of Europe’s most important ecological regions. WWF-Hungary is a key national organisation within this network, with a strong track record in protecting and restoring wetlands, rivers, floodplains, and natural forests, while advancing climate action and sustainable land use.

Based in Budapest, WWF-Hungary brings together a team of around 40 professionals working across conservation, corporate engagement, communications, finance, and operations.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead WWF-Hungary into its next phase of development and impact.

The CEO will be responsible for strengthening WWF-Hungary’s conservation impact, organisational performance, financial sustainability, and public profile, while ensuring strong integration within the WWF-CEE and global WWF network.

This is a high-impact leadership role requiring a balance of strategic vision, operational discipline, external influence, and people leadership.


Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership and impact

  • Define and deliver WWF-Hungary’s strategic direction in alignment with WWF-CEE and global priorities
  • Drive measurable conservation impact across key programme areas in Hungary
  • Ensure effective annual planning, prioritisation, and performance management

Organisational leadership

  • Build and lead a high-performing, motivated, and accountable organisation
  • Strengthen leadership capacity, talent development, and succession planning
  • Foster a collaborative and values-driven organisational culture

Financial sustainability and growth

  • Lead fundraising strategy and execution across public, private, and institutional sources
  • Strengthen long-term financial resilience and diversify income streams
  • Oversee budgeting, financial performance, and operational efficiency

External engagement and influence

  • Position WWF-Hungary as a leading voice in environmental policy and practice as well as sustainability in Hungary
  • Build strategic partnerships with government, business, civil society, and donors
  • Represent WWF-Hungary in WWF-CEE governance, WWF network, and international fora

Governance and compliance

  • Ensure strong governance, transparency, and compliance with legal and WWF standards
  • Act as key liaison to governance bodies and statutory stakeholders
  • Safeguard organisational integrity and risk management

 

Candidate Profile

  • University degree; 10+ years of professional experience (or postgraduate degree with 8+ years), including senior leadership experience
  • Proven track record in organisational leadership, strategy development and execution, and team management
  • Strong experience in fundraising, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement
  • Solid financial and operational management skills
  • Understanding of environmental sustainability and conservation issues, preferably in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Strong communication skills in English and Hungarian
  • Experience working in complex, matrix or international organisations
  • Strong alignment with WWF values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration

 

We offer

  • A senior leadership role with direct impact on conservation outcomes in Hungary and the wider region
  • A mission-driven organisation embedded in a strong international network
  • The opportunity to shape strategy, partnerships, and organisational development at national and regional level
  • A professional, committed, and international working environment
  • Competitive NGO-level remuneration package


Location & Application

Based in Budapest, Hungary. The position reports to the Regional CEO of WWF-CEE (Vienna).

Start date: as soon as possible.

Please send your CV and motivation letter to hr@wwf.bg, attention: Tsveta Petrushinova, Regional Manager Human Resources, by 13 May 2026.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information about WWF-Hungary, check www.wwf.hu.