[ES_JOBS_NET] Executive Director of Expeditions & Operations, Active Philanthropy

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

Executive Director – Expeditions & Operations+

In Berlin or remote within Europe

https://www.activephilanthropy.org/about-us/jobs/

About Active Philanthropy

To safeguard life on Earth, we must be bold and act now. Mitigating the
causes of the climate crisis and helping those most affected to adapt is
essential for the well-being of future generations. The coming decades are
critical, as the decisions and actions we take now will determine the
future of humanity.

Philanthropy can be highly effective in driving progress towards a just and
sustainable future by providing unrestricted capital, fostering public
awareness and ownership, scaling and innovating solutions and creating the
space for inclusive dialogue. Yet not enough philanthropic attention is
given to fighting the drivers of global emissions and driving
innovative climate solutions that have benefits beyond emissions cuts.

Active Philanthropy is working to change this. We’re on a mission to
unleash the power of philanthropy by supporting individuals, foundations,
and businesses to channel their resources into solutions that tackle the
climate crisis and catalyse systemic change. For over 20
years, we’ve worked alongside our clients to deepen their understanding of
climate challenges and turn ambition into action.

Through our expeditions, we create immersive, first-hand experiences that
connect leaders with the realities of climate change, the latest science,
and pathways to solutions. They are designed in collaboration with local
communities and subject-matter experts to ensure diverse, on-the-ground
perspectives are at the heart of the experience.

Our knowledge and content work bridges science and solutions, providing the
crucial expertise and insights needed to enable our
clients and communities to design impactful giving strategies and make
confident decisions that lead to lasting impact. These insights come to
life via our Publications and Tools
<https://www.activephilanthropy.org/our-publication-and-tools/> which
are publicly accessible and make complex climate and philanthropy topics
clear, practical, and actionable.

We are a non-profit organisation and rely on donations and grants as well
as service fees to fund our work.

In our day-to-day work, we depend on expert knowledge, international
collaboration, and creative thinking but, above all, on people who want to
make a difference. Are you one of them?

Context & Profile

As Active Philanthropy celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are entering an
exciting new phase. Following two decades of leadership, our founder is
stepping back from operational responsibilities, and we are introducing
a co-leadership structure with two Co-Executive Directors, each heading a
core pillar of our work – Climate Insights & Philanthropic Strategies
and Expeditions
& Operations.

We are now seeking a full-time Executive Director of Expeditions &
Operations to steward the next phase of the organisation.

The Executive Director of Expeditions & Operations will be responsible
for driving external engagement and strategic
growth, designing and facilitating expeditions, leading business and
partnership development and strengthening key networks. Alongside
their outward-facing focus, they will be responsible for ensuring the
effective and smooth running of internal operations. This is a rare
opportunity to pair strategic vision with hands-on delivery.

The ideal candidate should bring senior leadership experience in a
foundation, philanthropic advisory or mission-driven organisation. They
should have a genuine passion for climate action and the role philanthropy
can play in driving catalytic change. Candidates should bring a
proven track record of both working with stakeholders at the highest levels
to affect meaningful change and of developing unique learning experiences
that enable participants to connect to their head, hands and heart.

Although the Active Philanthropy team is primarily based in Berlin, we are
open to remote working within Europe. Candidates based elsewhere will be
expected to travel to Berlin for team engagement at least once a month. In
the first six months, candidates should be prepared to spend several days a
week in Berlin to build strong relationships within the team.


What to expect

   - This is a co-executive director role, reporting directly to the Board
   with joint accountability for the strategic direction, organisational
   health, and external impact of the organisation.


   - You will lead the Expeditions pillar, setting the strategic direction
   and taking overall responsibility for the design and successful delivery of
   expeditions, including the development of new formats and concepts.
   This will involve participant and partner acquisition, partnership
   management, expedition facilitation and project management
   of high-level bespoke expedition projects.


   - You will lead on the Expedition Alumni community, setting the
   strategic direction and acting as the head of the community. This will
   involve building meaningful relationships with community members, hosting
   in-person and online events and identifying ways to activate and mobilise
   the community to support Active Philanthropy’s mission.


   - You will proactively identify and drive fundraising opportunities
   working closely with the Founder as well as the Executive
   Director of Climate Insights and Philanthropic Strategies to secure
   long-term funding for the organisation.


   - You carry ultimate accountability for operations and
   organisational development however the day-to-day operations are led by a
   dedicated Operations Lead. This will involve overseeing operations through
   clear strategic judgement, prioritisation, and escalation, rather than
   hands-on execution.


   - You will oversee all external communications and brand strategy,
   ensuring consistent messaging and positioning to key stakeholders.


   - You will work in close collaboration with the Climate Insights &
   Philanthropic Strategies team to ensure that all knowledge and content work
   is integrated into expedition, alumni and communication activities while
   ensuring that field and stakeholder experiences continuously inform our
   knowledge strategy.


   - Serve as a public face of the organisation by speaking at events,
   sharing thought leadership on LinkedIn, and advocating for the role of
   philanthropy in addressing climate change.


   - Manage a small, agile and highly capable team across
   expeditions, communications and operations.

What you bring to the table

Experience & Expertise

   - Proven track record of designing, delivering, and facilitating unique
   experiences across multiple geographies (expeditions, learning journeys, or
   large-scale events)


   - Ability to operate confidently and as a credible counterpart at the
   highest stakeholder levels e.g. HNWI’s, Corporate CEO’s, philanthropy
   executives, etc.


   - Established personal network of philanthropists, investors and senior
   leaders across sectors


   - Extensive experience in partnership development and/or fundraising,
   with a history of successfully negotiating and securing multi-year
   partnerships


   - Experience in building and managing high-level communities of purpose
   or alumni networks


   - Expertise in philanthropy and the role philanthropy can play in
   enabling catalytic change


   - Strong interest and experience in leading teams and overseeing the
   effective day-to-day running of a small organisation

Personal Qualities

   - Collaborative, adaptable, and inspiring leader


   - Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset


   - Ability to hold organisational responsibility at a high, strategic
   level, without micromanaging operations


   - Strong interpersonal intuition; skilled in managing complex
   relationships, ambiguity, and organisational dynamics


   - Passion for tackling the effects of climate change and creating a just
   and sustainable future

Other requirements

   - Fluent in English


   - Fluent in German (desirable)


   - Willingness to travel frequently either to facilitate/plan
   expeditions or represent the organisation at relevant conferences/events


   - Ideally based in Berlin, or alternatively willing to travel to
   Berlin frequently to work with the team.

Apply even if you don’t meet every single requirement. Studies show that,
on average, men tend to apply for a job when they meet about 60% of the
criteria, while women and non-binary people often apply only when they meet
a much higher percentage. We’d love to get to know you and see what you
bring to the role.

What we offer you

   - Impact that matters! We are working to advance climate resilience at
   speed and scale


   - A highly relevant, exciting challenge in a dynamic, agile organisation
   that promotes personal development and learning


   - A small, motivated and multifaceted team of
   people committed to tackle the climate crisis together


   - An excellent network in the third sector, especially with foundations
   and donors in the European environment


   - A beautiful office with a garden and four-legged anti-stress officer
   in the heart of Berlin


   - The possibility of mobile working and flexible working hours

Please send us your application (letter of motivation, CV, references) as
well as your possible starting date and your salary expectations here
<https://activephilanthropy.typeform.com/to/xwOUZWjt>. The deadline for
applications is 7 June 2026.

Diversity is important to us. We welcome applications from people
regardless of their ethnic, national or social origin, gender,
disability, age or sexual identity.

Sincerely,

The Active Philanthropy team

Active Philanthropy gGmbH

Contact: Karolin Strunz

Phone: 030 – 120 878 420
jobs at activephilanthropy.org
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