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.
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.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and implement WWF International’s Talent Development Strategy, ensuring alignment with the overall People & Culture 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 People and Culture.
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.
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.
