Overview
IF Belgium, the Institute for Impact Finance in Belgium, is a membership association in the making, building on the success of Solifin — an established pioneer on impact investing. This transition will widen the scope to include all capital providers who strive for measurable impact for people and planet. IF Belgium is seeking a CEO to build on Solifin’s achievements and scale up to the next level of influence.
This is a unique leadership opportunity to shape a catalytic, outcomes-focused organisation at the centre of the debate on impact financing, and to help transform capital markets for good by leveraging the Institute’s extensive network.
The successful candidate must have credibility with financial and social sector decision-makers and senior policymakers, with the ability to build relationships across communities and sectors. The person will need to understand the opportunities and challenges of impact financing and, with the team and Board, help deliver an ambitious vision for the future. Success will depend on a highly collaborative approach with funders, pro-bono supporters and numerous other external stakeholders.
Reporting Relationship
Board of Directors through the Chair (currently Piet Colruyt, Loïc De Cannière, Steven Serneels and Céline Vaessen; to be extended) IF Belgium
Key Responsibility
The CEO will be a senior leader in the Belgian impact finance space, with a broad network and the ability to develop a vision as the organisation evolves. The CEO will be responsible for developing and executing the strategy to achieve IF Belgium’s mission, and for securing and deploying the financial and human resources needed for IF Belgium to be a sustainable, vibrant organisation.
The CEO position is a full-time role, based in Brussels.
Specific Responsibilities
* Lead, manage and coach the team in developing and executing the strategy and its activities, and grow the team in the next 2 to 3 years from a couple of employees and interns to a team of about 10 people.
* Deliver high-quality research and knowledge development, as well as valued institution-led and member-driven programs.
* Fine-tune IF Belgium as a membership organisation that can respond to an evolving market, addressing opportunities and challenges of the digital age (social media, data management, etc.).
* Grow quality membership and work towards a best-in-class net promoter score among IF Belgium members to help the Institute become an innovative, respected and valued organisation. Build synergies and relationships across the sector, ensuring IF Belgium strengthens the most relevant partnerships to co-create an impact-driven Belgian ecosystem (within a European context).
* Support the organisation in driving the Belgian policy debate and development in line with IF Belgium’s ambitions and member needs.
* Secure public and private funding to achieve IF Belgium’s mission (total annual budget of 0,5 Mio € in 2023, growing to 1 Mio € in 2025).
Knowledge and Experience
The ideal candidate should have:
* Expertise and experience in sustainability and finance with a robust understanding of impact investing and social innovation.
* Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of senior stakeholders across communities relevant to impact financing including institutional investors, impact investors, philanthropic investors, social purpose organisations, regulators and policymakers.
* Ability to establish and nurture strategic relations with funders and proven track record of fundraising and business development.
* Proven track record in building and growing a small and effective organisation. Prior people management experience is a must.
* Experience in co-designing and executing strategies and programs with the team and in dialogue with the Board.
* Strong communication skills and the ability to articulate messages compellingly.
* Fluent in at least two of the following languages: Dutch, French and English.
Knowledge and Experience that Will Offer Advantage
* Exposure to institutional investors (such as mutual funds, pension funds or insurance companies).
* A well-developed network in the Belgian impact ecosystem.
* Experience with ecosystem building.
* Exposure to the international impact financing ecosystem.
* Fluent in all three languages cited above.
Performance Competencies
They will:
* Be a self-starter and team player, co-creating initiatives to move IF Belgium toward its vision while seeking feedback from the board openly and constructively.
* Lead growth to the next level for the organisation.
* Be a co-creator, building an ecosystem with key stakeholders.
* Be organised and effective, achieving a lot with available resources.
* Act as an influential external ambassador, including serving on relevant panels and contributing Op-eds.
* Communicate effectively.
* Instil trust and demonstrate commitment to IF Belgium’s core ambition: to demonstrate that finance can be a true force for good.
Process
Candidates should send their CV and motivation letter to Steven Serneels (steven.serneels@gmail.com) with Diane Delava in copy (diane@solifin.be) by 13 November.
The selection committee will review all applications. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for further discussion.
#J-18808-Ljbffr