Director, Talent Development - WWF International

Zeist, Netherlands

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working at WWF could be your opportunity of a lifetime.

All around the world, people are waking up to the devastating impacts of climate change and nature loss. The situation today is worse than the darkest predictions of just ten years ago, pushing billions of people to the edge and threatening lives and livelihoods. At WWF, we are facing our biggest crisis – and our biggest ever opportunity – to create a better future for people and nature. With over 60 years of experience and an active presence in more than 100 countries, we work to achieve both on-the-ground and global policy action, from protecting and restoring species and their habitats, to transforming markets and policies toward sustainability. Our people come from hugely diverse backgrounds and with a variety of expertise, ranging from conservation science and advocacy to HR and finance. We welcome applications from anyone who believes they can help us tackle this enormous global challenge and drive the urgent conservation impact needed to restore our planet.

What We Do

We are an independent conservation organization, striving to sustain the natural world for the benefit of people and the ecosystem. From individuals and communities to businesses and governments, we are part of a growing global movement calling for bolder action on climate and nature, demanding that world leaders set nature on the path to recovery by 2030. WWF works to address the most dominant drivers of nature loss through system-wide changes in how food and energy are produced and consumed, and in how financial systems are structured. By implementing change in every country, we aim to drive visible and positive impacts on the ground, helping to restore nature in the most critical places around the world, from the Amazon to the Coral Triangle. Engaging everyone means addressing the barriers to participation faced by some groups in society, including local communities. Conservation will only be sustainable if it is owned by, and benefits, local people. That’s why Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be at the centre of action on climate and nature. WWF is committed to using its resources and global network to support these communities in creating together the most effective solutions where they live. Humanity is still in time, we have a clear pathway to solve this crisis. At WWF, we call on everyone to join the global movement, change how we live, and take action now.

WWF International global recruitment team are exclusively managing this vacancy. We kindly ask that you do not contact the local office on this position.

LOCATION: Flexible with preferred locations WWF International HUBS

1 MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT

To build a thriving, future-ready WWF workforce by ensuring that people at all levels have the skills, capabilities, and development pathways needed to deliver the WWF Strategy.

Embed WWF’s core values and standards to strengthen the culture and create the right working environment across the Network.
Develop and maintain P&C standards, policies, systems, and platforms that attract, develop, and retain the right people for the organisation.
Create the conditions for high performance, ensuring that staff can perform at their fullest potential and maximise their contribution to WWF’s conservation goals.

2 MAJOR FUNCTIONS

The Director Talent Development leads WWF International’s global approach to talent development, ensuring that people at all levels have the skills, capabilities, and development pathways needed to deliver the WWF Strategy. The role drives a cohesive, future-focused talent development agenda; spanning leadership development, learning frameworks, capability building, succession planning, and talent mobility, while fostering an inclusive, values‑driven culture across the WWF Network.

Lead the strategic design and execution of a global talent development strategy aligned with WWF’s organisational priorities.
Build leadership capability across all levels, with emphasis on purpose-led, values-based leadership.
Strengthen a global culture of learning, performance, and continuous development.
Ensure WWF has the right talent pipelines and succession strategies for critical roles.
Champion equity, inclusion, and diverse talent pathways across the Network.

3 Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

Develop and implement WWF INT’s Talent Development Strategy, ensuring alignment with the overall People & Culture (P&C) Strategy and organisational transformation priorities.
Design and implement programmes to identify, nurture, and develop leadership talent within the organisation.
Lead global programmes such as leadership academies, talent accelerators, mentoring, coaching and capability pathways.
Assess future talent and capability needs, translating them into clear frameworks, curricula, and learning interventions.
Serve as the organisation’s internal expert on learning, talent, and leadership development, advising senior leaders.

Talent & Succession Planning

Oversee the annual global talent review and succession planning process, ensuring robust pipelines for critical roles.
Drive data-informed talent insights using development metrics, diversity data, and performance trends.
Leadership Development. Oversee leadership development architecture, from emerging leaders to senior executives.

Learning & Capability Development

Design and oversee a coherent global learning ecosystem, including core curricula, digital learning, and function-specific development programmes.
Ensure learning offerings are accessible, inclusive, and relevant across diverse countries and contexts.
Build organisational capabilities in key future areas (systems leadership, digital capability, collaboration and partnership skills, change leadership, AI functionalities).
Partner with the Executive Team to strengthen leadership culture, role-modelling of values, and accountability for people development.
Coach senior leaders and ensure they have the support needed to lead effectively through change where necessary in alignment with Senior Director P&C.

Culture, Inclusion & Values

Embed WWF’s values of Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration into all talent development approaches. In coordination with global P&C teams.
Partner with the DEI team to ensure equitable access to development opportunities and progression.
Promote inclusive leadership practices and psychological safety in coordination with other relevant teams.

Operational & Team Leadership

Lead, develop, and inspire the Talent Development Team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Manage budgets, vendor relationships, and strategic partnerships with external leadership development providers.
Ensure strong governance, high-quality programme delivery, and evaluation of impact.
Performs other duties as required to advance WWF’s people‑centred, values-driven agenda.

4 PROFILE

Required Qualifications

Advanced degree in HR (for example: Advanced Diploma in Strategic L&D CIPD Level 7), Organisational Development, Leadership, Psychology, or related field.
Significant experience (10+ years) in talent development, leadership development, organisational development, or a related field within international organisations.
Demonstrated expertise designing and implementing large-scale talent and leadership programmes.
Strong experience with succession planning, talent reviews, and executive development.

Required Skills and Competencies

Strategic mindset with ability to translate organisational priorities into practical programmes.
Strong consulting, facilitation, and influencing skills, including working with senior leadership.
Deep commitment to people development, equity, and inclusive talent practices.
Experience leading multicultural teams and working across diverse global contexts.
Ability to manage complex projects, budgets, and stakeholders.
Excellent communication skills; ability to inspire trust and foster collaboration and the ability to influence stakeholders.
Fluency in English; knowledge of additional languages an asset.
Embraces the WWF mission and values of the organisation: Courage, Integrity, Respect & Collaboration.

5 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

Senior Director P&C; P&C Leadership Team; HR Business Partners across the Network; Global Senior Leadership and Country Directors, Conservation and Operations Divisions; DEI, Learning, and Change Management teams; Works closely with senior leaders, managers and regional P&Cs. Collaborates often with other senior P&C focal points of Country Offices and National Organisations as and when required.

External

Leadership development vendors and learning platforms, content developers; Universities, learning partners, coaches, and consultants; Peer networks in the NGO and conservation sectors; WWF Network and Country Offices.

HOW TO APPLY

Please upload your covering letter and CV in English. Priority will be given to applications with both documents indicated.

Deadline for applications: Tuesday 2 June 2026 (midnight CET)

Work permit restrictions may apply

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

At WWF, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where every individual feels valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce will help us to achieve our mission to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing fair and unbiased consideration for all candidates regardless of their background. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace