Deputy CEO

Position: Deputy CEO
Location: London or Bath, with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office.
Contract type: Full-time, permanent.
Salary range: Competitive, dependent upon experience
Reporting to: CEO

About EJF

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) exists to protect the natural world and uphold our fundamental human right to a secure environment. We work at the frontlines of environmental injustice, alongside communities most affected by climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and exploitation - transforming evidence into action, and injustice into lasting change.

EJF is a global non-profit driven by a powerful belief: that environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. Through courageous field investigations, rigorous research, and strategic international advocacy, we expose environmental crime, challenge impunity, and catalyse systemic reform. Our work delivers real-world impact, shaping policy, strengthening governance, protecting vital ecosystems, and defending those who risk their lives to safeguard them.

Our campaigns span four deeply interconnected areas: oceans, climate, forests and wetlands, and the training, protection, and empowerment of environmental defenders and journalists. From illegal fishing and forced labour to deforestation, land grabs, and climate displacement, we confront some of the most complex and urgent crises of our time - always with a focus on accountability, equity, and durable solutions.

EJF is an international organisation with a diverse team working across four continents, united by a shared ambition: to protect people by protecting the planet. We are bold, evidence-led, and impact-driven. We speak truth to power - and we build pathways to a fairer, more resilient future. Join Us.

About the role

This is an extremely rare opportunity to help lead a globally respected organisation at a pivotal moment for people and planet.

As Deputy CEO, you will play a central role in shaping EJF’s strategic direction and operational excellence, working in close partnership with the CEO and senior leadership team to scale our impact, strengthen our global presence, generate new income and ensure the organisation continues to deliver courageous, evidence-led change.

You will help translate EJF’s mission, ethos and vision into action - providing leadership across programmes, operations, and partnerships, and supporting a diverse international team working across four continents. You will assume specific, designated areas of management, supervising and guiding EJF's campaign teams, providing a clear line of decision-making and direction.

From strengthening governance and organisational performance to driving innovation, growth, and collaboration, you will be instrumental in maintaining an agile, resilient organisation capable of confronting some of the world’s most urgent environmental and human rights challenges.

This role calls for a values-driven, experienced and confident manager and leader with strategic vision, operational rigour, communications acumen and a deep commitment to justice. You will bring people together across cultures and disciplines, empower emerging leaders, and foster a high-performance, inclusive organisational culture. Externally, you will help represent EJF with credibility and influence, building alliances with funders, policymakers, partners, and frontline communities to accelerate systemic change.

At EJF, leadership means courage, integrity, and impact. As Deputy CEO, you will help steer campaigns that expose environmental crime, defend those on the frontlines, and secure lasting protections for ecosystems and communities alike. Together, we work to protect people by protecting the planet - and to build a fairer, more resilient future for all.

EJF strongly encourages applications from women and underrepresented communities.

Key responsibilities

1. Mission and Purpose

• Alongside the CEO and Founding Director, continuously reaffirm and embed EJF's Mission, Vision, and Values, ensuring they are deeply embedded across all programmes and teams to foster cohesion and strategic alignment globally.
• Safeguard our core mission of environmental justice and building capacity in the Global South, ensuring that the organisation, across its multiple geographies and jurisdictions, adheres to this core purpose and scope.
• Articulate and deliver the highest possible professional standards across all aspects of EJF’s work.

2. Campaign Delivery, Amplification and Impact

• In close partnership with the CEO, guide and oversee the organisation's strategic and tactical approach across its operations and campaigns.
• Provide additional guidance, recommendations and scrutiny on the planning, production and release of reports, films and other campaign materials.
• Help shape EJF’s external positioning, ensuring coherence between evidence, advocacy, partnerships and communications.
• Build EJF's visibility and reach by engaging the media, attending and presenting at high-level meetings, liaising with key contacts and major funders, and acting as a spokesperson in the CEO's absence.

3. People, Culture and Leadership

• Help to further develop and support a high-performing senior management team (SMT), individually and collectively, fostering accountability, collaboration and strong leadership practice, centred around EJF’s Mission and core purpose.
• Articulate and deliver the highest moral and professional standards across all aspects of EJF’s work, guiding and mentoring teams to ensure they remain focused on delivering EJF's mission and objectives with cohesion and strategic impact.
• Ensure fairness and equity for staff across the organisation, alongside consistently high standards of management.
• As directed by the CEO, serve in his absence to ensure the campaigns and programmes continue uninterrupted, working closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT).

4. Operations and Funding

• Work with the COO and Chief of Staff to ensure EJF’s exemplary operational efficiency across all areas of its work, championing continuous improvement of systems, processes and tools to strengthen efficiency, resilience and internal knowledge sharing.
• Work with the CEO, Founding Director, COO, and other team members to secure funding to support all our operations. This will require direct liaison with key donors, identifying new funding streams and ensuring compelling proposals, grant reports and updates are delivered on time.
• Ensure our operations across geographies and jurisdictions adopt a unified approach across all aspects of our work while respecting local contexts and needs.

5. Risk and Security

• Ensure that robust security and safeguarding measures are in place, regularly reviewed and actively embedded across teams.
• Oversee organisational risk management, including legal, reputational, political and operational risks across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations and ethical standards in all operating contexts.

Essential Experience, Skills and Attributes

We are seeking a values-driven, strategic leader with the judgement and organisational capability to help guide EJF through its next phase of growth and impact.

You will bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience (typically 10+ years), ideally 6 + years within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Proven success in programme design and delivery and organisational management, including oversight of complex budgets and resources.
• Strong financial acumen, with the ability to improve cost-effectiveness and maximise impact.
• Outstanding communication skills, including exceptional written English and the ability to engage diverse audiences, from teams to funders and senior decision-makers.
• Sound judgement and strategic thinking, with the ability to navigate complexity and make high-quality, values-led decisions, including in fast-moving or high-stakes environments.
• Strong people leadership, with experience building inclusive, high-performing teams, supporting senior colleagues, and developing emerging leaders across cultures and geographies.
• Experience contributing to organisational strategy, change, and governance, with confidence engaging Boards and leading through growth or transition.
• A collaborative, diplomatic approach, combined with resilience, adaptability, and composure under pressure.
• Experience working in international or distributed organisations, and building effective external partnerships, including with donors, business partners and grassroots groups.
• An ability to travel internationally, occasionally at short notice.
• A clear commitment to EJF’s Vision, Mission and Values, and to fostering a culture of excellence, equity, safeguarding, and impact.

While not essential, the following would be a strong advantage:

• Additional languages, particularly French, Spanish, Portuguese, or German.
• Professional media or communications experience, with demonstrable skills in shaping narratives, engaging audiences, and supporting organisational visibility.
• Experience in field research and/or investigations, ideally in complex or international contexts.
• Proven ability to manage projects, people, and budgets remotely, including supporting geographically dispersed teams.

What We Offer

In return for your leadership and commitment, we offer a rewarding package designed to support your well-being, flexibility, and professional growth:

• 22 days’ annual leave, increasing with each year of service, plus additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year.
• Private healthcare package.
• Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions increasing over time.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office / 2 from home).
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• A dynamic, supportive, and inclusive working environment, with genuine opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• The chance to play a senior leadership role in an organisation delivering real-world impact for people and planet.

The deadline for applications is 6pm GMT on Sunday 15th March.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
EJF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.