Who we are
Laudes Foundation works to address the defining challenges of our time: climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and social inequality.
We are driven by the belief that industry and business, when guided by values and incentives, can be powerful agents for positive change. Our approach combines the catalytic power of philanthropy with the reach and influence of the business world, fostering systemic reforms for a greener, fairer and more inclusive future.
Since 2020, we’ve been funding innovative partners who reimagine what could be and work across the economic system to make it happen. Our grants focus on four key industries: the built environment, fashion, finance, and food, while also advancing cross-industry programmes in labour rights and narratives. Our partners work to put values back into value. This ultimately helps business and industry be a force for good, incorporating climate, nature and people into every decision.
We aspire to be more. We unite unlikely allies and foster a community of diverse partners and stakeholders to amplify our systemic impact, creating bridges and dialogues that foster innovative collaborations.
We champion transparency, equity, diversity and inclusion, innovation, and collaboration, and we both learn from our peers and partners and share our insights and knowledge widely.
What you’ll do
As the Business Manager to the CEO, you will, together with the CEO, have strategic line of sight over all the key moving parts of the foundation, including governance and management, internal and external stakeholder interactions, and short- and long-term priorities. As part of this, you will serve both as the link between the CEO and business-critical initiatives across the foundation as well as a strategic partner to her. Specifically, you will support the CEO in setting strategic priorities and the broader leadership team (Management Team + Heads Of) in enabling more effective decision-making.
As a trusted advisor, you will support the CEO in how she serves as an ambassador for Laudes’ mission, developing opportunities for strategic convenings, representation, and thought leadership. You will also accompany the CEO in strategic partner and/or stakeholder meetings, following up on new opportunities and leading relevant strategic projects where needed. This includes managing the current CEO Office grant budget, designed for enabling better collaboration across donors.
Key responsibilities
Trusted Advisor to CEO. Advise the CEO on opportunities for representation and influence, helping promote Laudes’ mission and amplify its partners' work. Serve as a sounding board for thought leadership.
Strategic Agenda Setter. Partner with the CEO in identifying internal and external priorities. Manage the Management Team’s agenda (and input into the IC/PC agenda) and enable nimble and effective decision-making. Communicate back to the larger organisation key outcomes, where relevant.
Content Creator. Lead preparatory discussions with relevant partners and platforms. Develop compelling presentations, keynote speeches, panel talking points and other assets to support the CEO in internal presentations and external representation. Liaise with programmatic teams to distil key insights, ensuring fresh material that can add value to the philanthropic field.
Partnership Curator. Develop, with the CEO, and execute a stakeholder engagement strategy. Serve as first point of contact for potential partners and/or important stakeholders. Structure the agenda (and preparatory materials) for and accompany the CEO in relevant discussions. Connect with relevant programme or functional leads to follow up on potential opportunities.
Convener and Grantmaker. Manage CEO Grant Budget (of EUR 500k) to enable more impactful and mission-aligned collaboration across peer donors. Serve as a sounding board for programme teams on potential donor collaboratives. Represent Laudes, with the CEO, at such convenings.
Special Projects Leader. Lead special, one-off projects related to the CEO’s strategic priorities, collaborating with relevant functions (e.g., strategy) where needed.
Budget oversight. Develop and track the annual budget of the CEO Office. Approval thresholds of up to EUR 100k.
By joining our team, you will become part of this remarkable journey. You will work in a fun and highly dynamic environment and have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from expert colleagues.
This is what you can expect from us:
- Based on full-time, salary offer (depending on experience) between:
- EUR 80.000 - 100.000 in the Netherlands
- GBP 65.000 - 85.000 in the United Kingdom
- Hybrid working opportunity; we aim for a 40/60 office/home-work balance.
- Take advantage of our Flexible Working Guidelines and work up to 10 days per year from abroad, anywhere in the world.
- Several volunteering days per year
- Competitive benefits package (incl. holidays, pension scheme, insurances, commuting allowance, etc.)
To apply: please upload your CV and cover letter – in English - as soon as possible. This vacancy will remain open for a few weeks or until we have sufficient applications from qualified candidates.
Process: We aim to finalize the interview & hiring process by end of April / early May, including reference checks; a written assessment can be part of the procedure.
We stand for equal opportunities and are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse team in an equitable and inclusive environment. We strongly encourage applications of people with lived experience, as well as of candidates coming from any minority or underrepresented groups.
