Chief Impact Officer

Job Description

CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER | JOHANNESBURG

Location: Sandton, Johannesburg

Employment: Permanent

Salary: Market Related

Are you a senior impact, sustainability, conservation or responsible business leader ready to shape an organisation’s long-term impact strategy?

My client is looking for an exceptional Chief Impact Officer to lead a global impact agenda spanning conservation, wildlife, communities, sustainability and responsible business.

The Role

This is a C-suite leadership position with responsibility for:

• Developing and driving the Group’s long-term impact strategy

• Integrating impact into business strategy, operations, investment and guest experience

• Leading conservation, biodiversity and community-focused initiatives

• Overseeing impact measurement, governance, reporting and funding

• Building strategic partnerships with governments, NGOs, funders and global organisations

• Advising the Board, shareholders and executive leadership on impact, risk and long-term value creation

• Building a high-performing impact function and embedding accountability across the organisation

• Representing the organisation at global forums and as a thought leader in impact and responsible business

Requirements

What We're Looking For

15+ years of progressive senior leadership experience in impact, sustainability, conservation, community development, philanthropy, responsible business or a related field

Proven C-suite / senior executive experience and the ability to influence Boards and shareholders

Strong commercial and financial acumen, including investment, budgeting and fundraising experience

Expertise in areas such as conservation & biodiversity, community development, ESG, impact investment, philanthropy, responsible tourism or climate/nature strategy

International experience working across diverse cultures and emerging markets

Strong stakeholder, partnership-building and external representation skills

A track record of turning ambitious impact strategies into measurable outcomes

A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent depth of career experience; an advanced degree at Masters or Doctorate level is advantageous but will not substitute for executive track record

Deep expertise in at least two of the following: conservation and biodiversity; community-led development; sustainability and ESG; impact investment or philanthropy; responsible tourism or hospitality; climate and nature strategy.

Working fluency in relevant global frameworks and expectations, such as the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, GRI and TNFD, together with the judgement to apply them proportionately. Experience in luxury travel, hospitality or conservation-led tourism is advantageous, but exceptional candidates from

adjacent global sectors will not be excluded.

This is an opportunity for a purpose-driven executive to influence strategy at the highest level while creating a meaningful measurable impact.

Requirements
A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent depth of career experience; an advanced degree at Masters or Doctorate level is advantageous but will not substitute for executive track record. Deep expertise in at least two of the following: conservation and biodiversity; community-led development; sustainability and ESG; impact investment or philanthropy; responsible tourism or hospitality; climate and nature strategy. Working fluency in relevant global frameworks and expectations, such as the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, GRI and TNFD, together with the judgement to apply them proportionately. Experience in luxury travel, hospitality or conservation-led tourism is advantageous, but exceptional candidates from adjacent global sectors will not be excluded.