Chief Executive Officer

About Raintree Foundation:

The Raintree Foundation, founded by Leena Dandekar and her family, is focused on climate change and biodiversity loss, working on cultivating climate resilience in living landscapes.

Our commitment to circularity and civic custodianship drives impactful initiatives, benefiting vulnerable ecosystems. Velhe, spanning 2100 hectares, hosts 9 villages, 4000+ people, and 654 households in a UNESCO hotspot, the Western Ghats. Our project prioritizes Climate, Community, and Biodiversity, centred on Clean Energy, Watershed Ecology, Livelihoods, Resilience Building, and Biodiversity Conservation. Extensive research drives our efforts, raising awareness and implementing sustainable practices.

Our holistic approach covers water security, renewable energy, waste management, conservation, livelihoods and social inclusion, fostering resilient ecosystems and driving lasting systemic change.

Job Objective:

To provide strategic direction and spearhead the operations of Raintree Foundation for all projects within India.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Provide Strategic Direction and Leadership support:

• Develop and nurture the vision of the organization in collaboration with the Founders, key stakeholders and the Board.
• Formulate, assess and adapt strategies based on evolving social, economic and political landscapes to meet the objectives of the Foundation.
• Lead the integration of impact investing strategies and financial models to support sustainability and long-term funding.
• Identify risks to organizations' people (employees/ community/ beneficiaries/ management/ volunteers), assets, finances, goodwill, and image, and put measures in place to ensure safety and accountability while enhancing freedom at the workplace. Develop a contingency plan for unforeseen challenges.
• Ensure that the organization has all the resources and systems needed (people/ facilities/ funds/ technology/ knowledge partners etc.) to successfully achieve the vision and operate efficiently.
• Foster a culture that encourages collaboration between departments/ programme teams and recognizes positive contributions.

Advocacy, Public Relations & Community Engagement:

• Represent the organization at events, conferences, and forums to enhance visibility and influence.
• Be the official spokesperson for the Foundation.
• Engage with media and public relations to enhance the organization’s image.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with development sector leaders, other NGOs, government officials, HNIs, Trade Bodies, think-tanks and other external stakeholders.

Board Relations:

• Collaborate with the board of directors to report, update, seek input and align strategies.
• Work closely with the board to leverage their expertise and network.

Management & Administration:

• Inspire a professional, results-driven environment across the organization
• Perform general management duties and oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization.
• Own processes across the organization to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Establish goals, objectives, and annual operating plans in collaboration with the Board of Directors, staff, and other leaders.
• Manage multiple agencies / external knowledge and execution partners with extreme clarity of thought and brief.
• Build organizational resilience to challenges and encourage leadership growth within staff and volunteers.
• Lead annual, monthly and quarterly budget reviews, and periodic forecast updates with the operations team and senior management for all projects across different locations.
• Ensure effective reporting of issues, opportunities, priorities, and milestones to founder members and key stakeholders including timely updates, written reports for board meetings, financial and monitoring reports as required.

Fundraising:

• Anchor the fundraising requirements in India. Domestic or international travel for fundraising or meetings with organizational partners as required.
• Initiate, cultivate, and extend relationships with the organization’s portfolio of individual, foundation, and corporate supporters.
• Design fundraising strategies to secure financial resources for the organization.
• Identify and pursue local and international grant opportunities, partnerships and other sources of funding.
• Develop relationships with donors, HNIs, large corporates, securing both short term and long-term financial support.

Finance:

• Work with the CFO to ensure the organization’s financial stability and sustainability by maintaining healthy cash flow and adequate reserves.
• Oversee preparation of annual budget, including program funding allocations, in time for funder deadlines.
• Ensure that operating results established in the budget are achieved and maintain control of operating expenses within budget.
• Maintain a contingency reserve fund of at least 6 months’ operating expenses to protect against funding fluctuations or declines and a strategic opportunity fund to be able to support projects and programmes that are ad-hoc and require investment.
• Acknowledge donations in a timely way and create methods of recognition and engagement for significant/consistent donors.
• Assume responsibility for the fiscal integrity of the organization.
• Ensure maximum resource utilization, budget management, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.

Compliance & Regulatory:

• Ensure compliance with financial reporting requirements for the Foundation.
• Adherence to regulations governing fundraising requirements in India.
• Stay informed about the evolving regulatory landscape and seek legal counsel when needed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations across all operating functions in the organization.

Human Resources:

• Foster a positive working environment with effective people management and engagement within the organization.
• Identify and nurture leadership potential within the organization.
• Plan for succession to ensure continuity of key roles.

Candidate Profile:

Qualifications – Chartered Accountant/ master’s degree in management/ business administration with specialisation in Finance (or equivalent degree) from a reputed institution in India or abroad.

Experience Profile:

• Experience in the Financial or Impact Investment sector, with prior experience of relationship management of clients or investors.
• 20+ years of experience with 5+ in a strategic Business/ Organizational leadership role.
• Proven experience in impact investing, fundraising, and alternative financing models.
• Strong business acumen and a history of providing visionary leadership at the executive level.
• Proven experience executing organization growth and leading a similar or larger size organization.
• Multi-faceted local and global exposure.
• Exposure to managing key stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent leadership skill and experience in working across different sectors and bringing together diverse people to deliver on a strategy.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while multitasking and re-prioritizing projects.

Competencies:

• Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Interpersonal Skills
• Impeccable Oral and Written Communication skills
• Critical Thinking
• Ethical Decision Making
• Results Orientation
• Global and Cultural Awareness
• Risk Management
• Continuous Learning

Shortlist (www.shortlist.net) is our exclusive recruitment exclusive partner for this role.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is closed, though early applications are strongly encouraged.

To apply, click the "Easy Apply" button or share your cover letter and resume/LinkedIn profile using the contact details below. If you would like to refer someone from your network or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

Ashbira Singh

Associate Partner

ashbira@shortlist.net

Alisha Coelho

Talent Consultant

alisha@shortlist.net