🌍 CEE Bankwatch Network is looking for an Executive Director!
📍 Location: Prague, Czech Republic, or another country where Bankwatch has a member group
💼 Employment: Full-time
🗓️ Start: February 2027
🌱 About Bankwatch
For more than three decades, Bankwatch has worked to ensure that people across central and eastern Europe benefit from environmentally and socially sustainable development backed by public finance. Together with our member groups and partners across the region, we have emerged as one of the strongest voices in the region advocating for climate action, environmental justice and a just transition.
We are looking for an experienced Executive Director to lead the organisation, deliver our five-year strategy and strengthen our network and impact across the region.
🎯 The role
The Executive Director will provide strategic vision and operational leadership for an organisation with an annual budget of approximately €3.5 million and 50+ staff across 15 countries.
The role covers strategy, fundraising, financial management and organisational development, as well as supporting our staff and member groups and representing Bankwatch to donors, public institutions, the media and civil society partners.
A genuine connection to Central and Eastern Europe matters. We welcome candidates with cultural roots, established relationships and a strong understanding of the region and its political and civil society contexts. You do not need to be based in Prague: candidates living in a country where Bankwatch has a member group are also welcome. Regular travel to Prague and across the region is required.
Are you ready to help shape a more sustainable and just future for Central and Eastern Europe? We would love to hear from you!
🧭 Key responsibilities
- Lead the implementation of Bankwatch's five-year strategy in cooperation with the Board, member groups and Management Team.
- Oversee the €3.5 million annual budget, financial planning, grant management and organisational sustainability.
- Lead fundraising efforts and build strong, long-term relationships with institutional donors and foundations.
- Manage and support a decentralised, multicultural team, fostering an inclusive and collaborative working environment.
- Supervise the Program Director, Finance Director, Fundraising Leader and Human Resources Coordinator.
- Ensure sound governance, legal compliance and effective management of organisational and security risks.
- Represent Bankwatch publicly and build partnerships that strengthen our work and influence.
👤 About you
You are an experienced and collaborative leader who can bring people together across countries and cultures, make sound strategic and financial decisions, and guide an organisation through a changing political and funding environment.
You will bring:
- At least 5–7 years of senior leadership experience, ideally in an international NGO or civil society network.
- Strategic thinking and vision with demonstrated leadership in spotting new opportunities
- A collaborative style with a proven ability to inspire, engage, and empower staff, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and mutual accountability.
- A people-centric approach with demonstrated skill at building relationships and inspiring, engaging, and empowering staff
- Experience managing substantial budgets and decentralised, multicultural teams, preferably of 50 or more staff.
- A proven track record in fundraising, grant management and donor relations.
- A good understanding of climate and environmental policy, energy transformation, public finance, development banks and civic space.
- Experience working with a Board and overseeing organisational strategy, performance and risk.
- Strong cultural, professional or personal connections to Central and Eastern Europe.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and professional fluency in English.
- A bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.
- Knowledge of another European language is an advantage.
- You must have legal permission to work in one of Bankwatch’s countries of operation.
We value integrity, empathy, strategic thinking and the ability to build trust and cooperation across a diverse international network.
💚 What we offer
- The opportunity to lead an established environmental network and help drive lasting change across Central and Eastern Europe.
- Work alongside a committed, multicultural team and collaborate closely with member organisations and partners across the region.
- Flexible working time, the option to work from home and access to Bankwatch offices if preferred.
- Join an inclusive and collaborative environment that values trust, empathy and diverse perspectives.
- Enjoy five weeks of vacation per year.
- Access funding for personal development and opportunities to participate in company-sponsored conferences.
The position is offered on a fixed-term employment contract for the first year, with the possibility of extension to an indefinite-term contract by mutual agreement.
📩 How to apply
Please send your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation for the role by 7 December. We review applications on a rolling basis - early applications are encouraged!
We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds who share our commitment to environmental justice, accountable public finance and a sustainable future for Central and Eastern Europe.
🌐 Learn more about Bankwatch and where we work: https://bankwatch.org/
