Chief Operating Officer Greenpeace International Amsterdam, Netherlands

Purpose of the job

Reporting to the International Executive Director, the COO is responsible for the internal workings of the global Greenpeace organization.  Managing staff departments at Greenpeace International, the central global coordinating office, the COO has significant influence over the development of Greenpeace’s 28 National and Regional Offices (NROs), all support services provides by GPI to the NROs, the financial, HR and technology controls. 

Greenpeace is embarking upon a major global re-orientation of its core Operating Model.  The COO plays a leadership role, together with the International Programme Director (IPD), to effect this major change management project over the next few years.

A key responsibility of the COO is the design and conduct of Greenpeace’s organisation strategy, including the programme management of the multi-year project to implement a new Operating Model.

Together with the IPD, the COO takes part in the Global Leadership Team meetings, a council of executive directors from key NROs that advises the IED on issues of strategy or of major operational importance.

The IED, the IPD and the COO jointly form the executive office of Greenpeace International.  The IED has significant focus as the external representative of the organization, and delegates all campaigning matters to the IPD and all organizational matters to the COO.  The degree to which these three executives work well together has major influence on the global effectiveness of Greenpeace.


Main responsibilities

Leadership

The COO is one of the principal leaders of the global organisation.  Her/his direct reports are themselves senior management team members.  Leadership in a transparent, collaborative manner in the global federal Greenpeace organisation is a key requirement of this function.

Strategic direction and organisational planning

Lead the development and execution of global organisational strategies, ranging from geographic office development, to the strengthening of core competencies, and the strategies for the major support areas of the organisation.

Management

Lead the executives in charge of the Organisation Support areas (The Organisation Director to whom IT, HR, Finance report),  the Development Director, who coordinates the relationships between the NROs and the centre, and the Director of Strategy and Planning.  This includes key responsibilities of:
•    Implementation of the Operating Model project – a multi-year effort of a newly chosen organisational direction
•    Design and execution of the organisation’s major planning activities
•    Strategy determination for the organisation (the strategy for our core campaigning activity is the responsibility of the International Programme Director)
•    Change management throughout the global organisation to effect the major re-orientation that is currently underway
•    Implementation of the long term IT strategy
•    Implementation of the ambitious People Strategy, with associated change management programs.
•    Shared oversight of a major build-up of key growth offices in areas determined to be key to Greenpeace’s long-term success.
•    Major improvement in planning, reporting and management information

Major Processes

•    Through her/his direct reports, the COO is responsible for key processes in the global organisation, including (but not limited to):
•    Organisational strategy formulation and planning
•    Office Development planning for all 28 NROs
•    GPI Services planning
•    Budgeting and financial control
•    Global funding of the organisation’s operations
•    Resource allocation / long term financial planning
•    Overall financial and non-financial reporting and planning
•    Evaluation and monitoring of objectives, long term and annual plans


Skills required / qualifications

Knowledge and experience
•    Minimum 10 years management experience at executive level in a global organisation
•    Proven change management experience in a large and complex global organisation
•    Preferably exposure to management challenges in areas where Greenpeace is experiencing rapid growth (China, India, Africa, Brazil)

Competencies
•    Track record of collaborative and team-play style of management.
•    Strong facilitation and analytical skills
•    Both an implementer and strategic thinker
•    Demonstrated familiarity with Financial Management, Human Resource and Technology management
•    Experience with strategic and financial planning in the main organisational areas (office development, finance, technology, human resources)
•    Ability to lead multi-functional and diverse teams towards common goals
•    Strong negotiation, communication and presentation skills
•    Fluency in written and spoken English and at least one other modern language


Personal style and attributes
•    Projects competence, confidence, maturity, gravitas. 
•    Transparent, high level of integrity
•    Team leader and team player
•    Collaborative and supportive, yet not afraid to make decisions
•    Able to negotiate internal conflicts with insight and maturity
•    Shares Greenpeace’s mission and values
•    Cherishes diversity in all its aspects
•    Proactive and results oriented
 

To apply, please click on the apply link to be redirected to the Greenpeace International website.