This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You can be based in our office in London or the Hague. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.
About the Role
Weโre looking for a strategic and people-focused leader to take on a new global role at WRI. As Global Director of Learning, Development & Culture, youโll lead a broad team in our Centre of Excellence and help shape how we support, grow, and engage our people across the world.
Reporting to the Chief People Officer (CPO), youโll work closely with HR teams in every regional and country office (Africa, Brazil, China, Colombia, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, US) and work closely with our global WRI HR network. Your work will help WRI become the best-run NGO in the world โ not just for operational excellence, but to ensure every employee has a great experience and can do their best work in service of our mission.
This is a unique opportunity to build something new and meaningful. Youโll design and deliver strategies for continuous learning, impactful career development, healthy organizational culture, and improving wellbeingโmaking sure theyโre inclusive, impactful, and relevant across regions. Youโll also help build People team capacity globally, creating more consistency and connection across our network.
What will you do:
Career Development:
Shape WRIโs global people strategy alongside the Chief People OfficerBuild career paths, succession plans, and talent pipelines for future leaders and specialistsLead performance and engagement strategies that help staff grow and stay connectedDevelop retention strategies that support continuity and agilitySupport workforce planning and organizational design across the instituteIdentify and address skills gaps to ensure weโre ready for the futureOversee career frameworks that reflect WRIโs mission and values
Learning & Development:
Create a learning culture where staff have the tools and opportunities to growDesign a global learning strategy using our new learning systemDeliver inclusive, accessible, and high-impact training across departmentsLead leadership development programs tailored to WRIโs culture and future needsPartner with internal and external experts to scale learning globallyApply psychological models and theories to ensure we take an evidence-based approachEnsure learning is relevant, equitable, and focused on real-world impactManage the learning and development budget and relationships with external partners
Culture & Wellbeing:
Champion WRIโs recently refreshed values and lead a global culture strategy โ fostering equity and inclusion for all our worldwide staffDefine what a healthy workplace culture looks like and how we measure it through our culture barometerLead wellbeing initiatives that support mental health, work-life balance, and psychological safetyPartner with country offices to ensure cultural efforts are locally relevant and globally consistentApply psychological models to ensure we take an evidence-based approachSupport and work closely with our network of culture ambassadors across WRI officesEmbed equity and inclusion into all people initiatives, with clear metrics and accountability
Who you are:
Youโre a strategic thinker and a compassionate leader. You understand how to build systems that support people, and youโre passionate about creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. You bring experience in global HR, learning, leadership development and organizational developmentโand you know how to turn ideas into action.
Minimum requirements:
A background in occupational/organizational/work psychology and experience of applying this to learning and developmentDemonstrated success as a senior People leader, with a proven track record of managing and developing senior-level professionals and leading large, complex teamsExtensive experience within large, matrixed, mission-driven organizations. Able to navigate cultural context and deliver strategies that resonateStrategic skills with an ability to design and execute talent, learning, and culture strategies from inception through implementation while aligning with organizational prioritiesExtensive experience developing a strategic approach to career development and learning developmentExperience in the design, development, and delivery of learning and development interventions for many different skills across multiple job families, including the evolution towards skills and knowledge-based organization and trendsProven ability to lead organization-wide change initiatives, including culture transformation, talent development, and succession planningExceptional ability to influence, engage, and inspire collaborators at all levels, including senior executives, while building trust across diverse teams and regionsExperience leading global employees' listening strategies, engagement programs, and retention initiatives that deliver measurable outcomesExtensive experience using analytics, surveys, and workforce data to inform decisions, measure impact, and continuously improve culture, learning, and talent policiesDemonstrated ability to embed equity, inclusion, wellbeing, and psychological safety into organizational practices and people strategiesExperience influencing senior leaders and effectively communicating across different levels, cultures, and geographiesProven leadership experience and building up multi-located teams. Able to inspire virtual teamsLanguages: Verbal and written proficiency in EnglishRequirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorizationGiven the leadership role and breadth of engagement needed, there is a requirement to be in the office 8 or more days a month (flex or full-time office only)
How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 17 November 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.
We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter in addition to your resume.
You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.
Potential Salary: The salary range if based in the UK is GBP108,000 to 135,000; If based in the Netherlands the salary range is 107,000 to 134,000โฌ
What we offer:
Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the USThe chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities. A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our workThe opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRICommitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hoursGenerous leave days that increase with tenure including sabbatical leaveA generous pension plan that includes employer and employee contributionHealth insurance contributionTravel to work schemeA comprehensive Employee Assistance ProgramGeoblue travel insurance