Chief Executive Officer

The Organisation

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation develops and promotes the idea of a circular economy. We work with, and inspire, business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. We have teams in the UK, EU, US, China and Brazil. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Our vision is a new economic system that delivers better outcomes for people and the environment. Business models, products, and materials are designed to increase use and reuse, replicating the balance of the natural world, where nothing becomes waste and everything has value. A circular economy, increasingly built on renewable energy and materials, is distributed, diverse, and inclusive.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation, which has established exceptional credibility as a leader of the circular economy and is a trusted independent expert, into its next phase of evolution.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is seeking to hire a mission-driven leader for the role of its CEO. This individual, an international thought leader capable of vision and execution, will work to build on the impressive track record of its predecessor, who will be stepping down from the Foundation after an incredibly successful 11 years in March 2025. The role is based in the UK.

The CEO will be an innovator and visionary with an innate ability to influence and generate consensus at the most senior levels of complex and global organisations. They will maintain EMF’s unique position as a thought leader and driver of profound global economic change, building on inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility whilst protecting EMF’s unique and disruptive culture.

The Person

Given the global reach of the Foundation, evidence of leadership within an international context and leading global teams is essential for this role together with:

• An excellent communicator who can speak and act with presence, authority and integrity at all levels A track record as an innovative entrepreneurial leader and operator within a fast-growing organisation in a competitive, ever-changing and complex space. The political and diplomatic acuity to work with global industry bodies, governments, policy makers, institutions and academia effectively.
• The agility to manage multiple agendas, external and internal stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen to drive revenue growth in alignment with EMF’s mission, operational excellence, and the ability to deliver against the financial plan, whilst maintaining EMF’s culture and values.
• Leadership of cross functional autonomous and collaborative international teams.

Finally, the CEO will possess a passion for the circular economy and understand its true potential as a global solution.

To Apply

Spencer Stuart are leading the recruitment process. To find out more about this role or if you would like to apply, please email EMFCEO@spencerstuart.com

Closing date for applications is 12th April 2024.