Director, Strategic Growth and Partnerships

About WorldFish  

WorldFish is an international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish and other aquatic foods for their livelihoods and nutrition. Our work in countries advances progress on multiple 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through science and innovation, with a vision of healthy people, healthy planet and shared prosperity.   

About the Position 

WorldFish is seeking a visionary and results-driven Director, Strategic Growth and Partnerships to lead the organization’s global transformation and growth agenda. As a key member of the senior leadership team, this high-impact role will work closely with the Director General to chart and execute an ambitious strategy that positions WorldFish as the world’s leading research-for-development organization in aquatic food systems.

The Director will serve as the chief architect of WorldFish’s growth strategy—cultivating strategic alliances, unlocking innovative financing mechanisms, and securing high-value partnerships with donors, development banks, philanthropic foundations, governments, and the private sector. With a bold mandate to generate at least 30% of WorldFish’s annual portfolio through new revenue streams, the Director will play a pivotal role in expanding the organization’s global influence and funding base.

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic leader to shape the future of food, nutrition, and climate resilience in the Global South—driving sustainable impact at scale through science, innovation, and collaboration

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic leadership and organizational growth

• Lead the development and execution of bold, forward-looking strategies that position WorldFish for long-term growth and global influence.
• Provide high-level strategic guidance on expanding WorldFish’s reach, impact, and financial sustainability. 
• Align internal capabilities and external partnerships to achieve impact at scale through regional program expansions, innovative financing, and private sector engagement. 
• Develop and implement an institutional roadmap for building strategic alliances with private sector actors, philanthropies, and mission-aligned investors to enable co-investment in science and innovation. 
• Establish governance and accountability frameworks to ensure the successful execution of strategic initiatives. 

2. Strategic fundraising and resource mobilization 

• Secure long-term multi-year funding agreements, with the responsibility to raise the equivalent of 30% of the WorldFish portfolio annually, leading to a growth in WorldFish annual revenue.
• Cultivate strategic relationships and diversify funding sources by adding new high-value donors, institutional funders, and investment partners. This new funding should account for at least 10% of the WorldFish portfolio.
• Lead the development and execution of an overarching long-term organizational fundraising and business development strategy and targets.
• Oversee all high-level resource mobilization efforts (including efforts led by the Resource Mobilization Lead and team), ensuring alignment with the organization’s growth vision and impact ambitions and ensuring an organization-wide approach to fundraising.
• Lead strategic dialogues with multilateral and bilateral donors, philanthropic foundations, and emerging donors to shape investment priorities aligned with WorldFish’s long-term goals.

3. High-level partnerships and institutional positioning 

• Develop and execute a high-level partnership strategy to forge and maintain transformational partnerships with governments, international organizations, donors, and private sector actors to elevate WorldFish’s profile.
• Shape and influence global dialogues on sustainable aquatic food systems, and the blue economy.
• Develop strategies to secure government mandates and policy alignment, positioning WorldFish as a trusted science-driven development partner.
• Represent WorldFish at the highest levels in forums, negotiations, and strategic alliances.
• Increase donor retention rates and secure a high level of new transformational partnerships per year.
• Broker multi-stakeholder alliances that leverage the strengths of private sector partners, impact investors, and technology firms in delivering scalable solutions.

4. Driving Innovation in Business Development 

• Oversee the development of mission-aligned business models, ensuring they are structured for success and aligned with the organization’s impact goals.
• Spearhead new models of revenue generation, including public-private partnerships, blended finance, and market-based solutions.
• Lead the commercialization of WorldFish products and services, working closely with the WorldFish Ventures team where relevant.
• Identify and operationalize commercialization pathways—including licensing, royalties, subscription models, or equity arrangements—for science-based innovations and digital assets.
• Foster an entrepreneurial mindset across the organization, ensuring teams are equipped to translate science into scalable solutions.

5. Internal Alignment and Executive Advisory 

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Director General, ensuring strategic priorities are well-executed across the organization. 
• Lead high-level cross-functional collaboration, ensuring all teams are aligned with growth objectives. 
• Work closely with other members of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and broader Management Team to drive organizational excellence and adaptability. 

6. Strategic Global Communications  

• Foster cross-functional collaboration between communications, strategic partnerships and growth initiatives to ensure consistency in messaging and alignment.
• Oversee the overall execution of the integrated global communications strategy to enhance brand reputation, stakeholder and partnership engagement, and organizational visibility.
• Provide strategic leadership to Global Communications Lead.

Requirements

This job might be for you if you have the below skills and qualifications:  

• Advanced degree in business administration, international development, public policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in executive leadership, corporate strategy, business development, and global partnerships in the field of agriculture, natural resource management or related field
• Demonstrated understanding of the interdisciplinary fields within food system science is essential. This includes knowledge of sustainable agriculture, food security, nutrition, food policy, supply chain dynamics, and environmental impacts. The ability to integrate scientific, economic, and social perspectives to address complex challenges within the global food system is highly valued. Familiarity with emerging trends, innovations, and best practices in food system transformation will be a significant asset, ensuring strategic decisions are informed by the latest developments in the sector.
• Proven track record in steering organizations through transformation, growth, and impact scaling.
• Proven track record in raising significant levels of funds through a range of high-value donors, institutional funders, and investment partners.
• Deep expertise in resource mobilization, innovative financing, and business development.
• Experience in government relations, policy advocacy, and institutional positioning at an international level.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire teams, drive change, and influence decision-makers.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to see the big picture and execute complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Exceptional negotiation and diplomatic skills to secure partnerships, funding, and policy endorsements.
• Global perspective and experience working in multicultural, mission-driven environments.
• Proven experience working as part of an executive team in an international global organization.
• Strong emotional intelligence, humility, cross cultural competence with strong experience working respectfully across languages, identities, and regional dynamics, particularly in the regions WorldFish operates.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Demonstrated ability to lead high-level strategic engagements with donors, governments, and private sector actors to shape investment priorities.
• Proven entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of identifying and operationalizing innovative financing and commercialization pathways.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including familiarity with blended finance, licensing, and market-based revenue models.
• Exceptional communicator and relationship builder, able to align diverse stakeholders around a common vision.
• Deep commitment to sustainability, equity, and science-driven solutions in transforming global food systems.

Benefits

This Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position offers an annual salary of USD 97,000 – USD 127,000 per annum. WorldFish's IRS shall receive comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, accident, and long-term disability insurance. Internationally recruited staff employed outside of their home base/country of nationality will also be eligible to receive relocation assistance, a housing allowance, home-leave plane tickets for self and eligible dependents and education assistance for school-age dependents between age 4 and high school graduation. The duration of the contract will initially be for a three-year period with possibility for extension, depending on funding and performance. All benefits are subject to terms and conditions.

How to Apply

Your application must include:

• A copy of your curriculum vitae,
• A cover letter which addresses key requirements stated above; and
• Contact information of three professional referees who may be contacted if you are short-listed for the position.

To be considered, applications must be submitted by no later than 23:59 (MYT), 31 December 2025.

Location: The successful candidate can choose a flexible work location.

The screening will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Due to the high volume of applicants for WorldFish positions, we appreciate all interest, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Our Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment 

Over 40% of WorldFish staff is women with some 30 nationalities represented and contributing to its dynamic multicultural work environment. WorldFish is committed to promoting a work environment where diversity and inclusion are valued and we seek to have gender balance in the organization. We aim to also seek balance across other diversity dimensions. 

People in WorldFish are treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnicity/race, national or social origin, disability, religion, political affiliation, age, family size, marital status or any other form of personal identity.

We are an equal opportunities employer and strongly encourage qualified women and men from developing nations to apply.