Interim Director of Grants and Philanthropic Partnerships (12-18 months)

• Interim Director of Grants and Philanthropic Partnerships
• Location: United Kingdom - Candidates can work remotely with occasional travel to the office
• Contract: 1 year FT contract with the possibility of extension
• Salary: UK £120,000 to £135,000
• Working pattern: Full-Time initially with the option to go to 4 days after 3 months if required.

About FILE

The Foundation for International Law for the Environment (FILE) is a not-for-profit philanthropic organisation working to accelerate legal action on climate change.

Through grant-making and in-house legal expertise, we empower our partners to deliver strategic, innovative legal interventions and we support lawyers in their own countries to bring their own cases.

Legal action can unlock the systemic changes in finance, policy and social systems needed to protect all of us from climate change. The power of the law is both direct (changing policy and practice) and indirect (signalling the wider shifts taking place across these systems).

FILE is a regrantor - this means we do not bring legal action in our own name. We receive grants from our philanthropic donors and make onwards grants to partners who align with FILE s charitable aims and purposes. We do not seek to make any profit from our activities either in a relevant financial year or in the longer term.

The Role

We are looking for an inspiring and strategic interim leader to join FILE during a period of organisational transition, as we shape our strategy for the next three years and review our long-term leadership structure.

This is a strictly interim appointment, created to provide visible senior leadership across our Grants and Philanthropic Partnerships functions while FILE undertakes a wider review of its long-term organisational design and permanent leadership arrangements.

As Interim Director of Grants and Philanthropic Partnerships, you will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, partnering closely with the Executive Director, Supervisory Board, and senior leaders to strengthen the connection between our fundraising, donor engagement and grantmaking activities. You will help build an integrated approach across teams, ensure our resources are deployed to maximise impact and long-term sustainability, and support the transition to a new permanent leadership structure.

This is an opportunity for someone who combines strong relationship-building and leadership skills with a deep understanding of philanthropy, partnerships and systems change, and who is excited by the chance to help shape FILE's future direction at an important moment in our growth.

The role spans five core areas: strategic leadership, team development and operational excellence, grantmaking strategy and portfolio oversight, strategic fundraising and partnership development, and external engagement and ecosystem stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership (20%)
As an interim Senior Leadership Team member during a period of change, you will support the development and delivery of FILE's Strategic Plan, contributing to collective SLT decision-making and accountability. You will advise the Executive Director, SLT and Board on grantmaking, philanthropic partnerships, ecosystem trends and strategic growth opportunities, and lead strategic planning and scenario analysis on funding and grantmaking priorities together with the Interim Finance Director.

Leadership, Team Development and Operational Excellence (25%)
You will provide integrated leadership across the Grants and Philanthropic Partnerships functions, acting as their ambassador within the SLT and ensuring their perspectives are visible in senior decision-making. This includes building leadership capability and succession across both teams, ensuring effective governance, performance and accountability frameworks are in place, and fostering a coherent approach to impact, relationship management and organisational learning across the two functions.

Grantmaking Strategy, Risk and Portfolio Oversight (20%)
You will provide strategic oversight of FILE's grantmaking approach, portfolio risk, due diligence and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and the evolving needs of the climate legal ecosystem. You will champion grant process improvements and innovative grantmaking approaches, embed JEDI principles throughout grantmaking policies and decision-making, and ensure robust oversight of portfolio performance, impact and learning.

Strategic Fundraising and Partnership Development (20%)
You will lead FILE's Philanthropic Partnerships function, co-developing and delivering a long-term fundraising strategy aligned to FILE's priorities and growth ambitions. This includes overseeing funding diversification, major donor engagement, income pipelines and fundraising performance, engaging the Board on partnership opportunities, and fostering an organisation-wide culture of relationship stewardship and resource mobilisation.

External Engagement, Influence and Ecosystem Stewardship (15%)
You will represent FILE at the most senior levels with donors, partners and sector stakeholders, positioning the organisation as a trusted voice within the climate philanthropy and climate justice ecosystem.

Key Outcomes

• FILE's Grants and Philanthropic Partnerships teams implement FILE's strategy in a highly collaborative environment, working effectively with the Strategy team, Communications and the Organisational Development offer.
• Key functions are supported and enabled for transition to a new permanent leadership structure during a period of change.
• FILE raises funds to meet its strategic ambition, with strong relationship management, and is viewed by donors as a trusted partner and thought leader.
• High quality insight and guidance is provided to the Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team and Board across grantmaking and partnerships.
• Strong risk and resilience approaches are embedded across all grants and partnerships activity.
• FILE's grantmaking is equitable, inclusive and values driven, with JEDI principles visibly embedded in grantmaking design, decision making and partner relationships.
• Efficient, adaptable and effective systems, policies and processes are in place across grantmaking and partnerships, reflecting FILE's values and culture.
• The Board is actively engaged on philanthropic partnerships matters, with Board relationships leveraged effectively to support funder introductions and income development.
• JEDI principles are championed and embedded across FILE, with the Director of Grants and Philanthropic Partnerships modelling and advancing these values in all aspects of their leadership

About you

We know that long lists of criteria can be discouraging and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply.

We also recognise that skills and experience can be gained in unexpected places, so we welcome applications from candidates who feel they have relevant skills for the role, gained from a wide range of professional, lived and learned experiences.

Essential criteria

Technical Skills

• Significant experience in grantmaking in international contexts, particularly in high risk geographies or settings.
• Proven experience in donor relationship and funding management, especially within private philanthropy.
• Demonstrated fundraising experience at a senior level, with a track record of securing significant income.
• Strong experience in organisational development within the non-profit or philanthropy sector, with the ability to strengthen team capability, resilience and effectiveness.

Power Skills

• A visible, values-driven leader who leads through change with confidence, coaches and enables their team, and fosters a culture of collaboration and transparency.
• Communicates with clarity and confidence at all levels, including Board and executive level, adapting style and language to the audience.
• A strategic thinker who can hold the big picture while ensuring operational coherence across complex, interconnected functions.
• Exceptional relationship builder and stakeholder manager, able to engage and align diverse internal and external audiences towards shared goals.
• Highly collaborative and adaptable, remaining effective and grounded during periods of ambiguity and organisational change.
• Acts with integrity, exercises strong professional judgement, and actively champions JEDI principles across all aspects of their leadership.

Location

We are advertising this role for candidates based (and with the right to work) in the UK and in the Netherlands. Please note that you will see this role advertised in multiple locations but that we are only hiring for one position based in either location, and that we are able to offer collaborative working spaces only in the Netherlands and the UK.

Please apply to the job post for your preferred location.

Working for FILE

FILE is a collaborative community of individuals who share a passion for climate, nature, and justice. We bring together knowledge and experience to support our mission.
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