Senior Portfolio Manager SR Foundation

Senior Project Manager - Climate Solutions, Swiss Re Foundation

About the Role

Are you passionate about social entrepreneurial solutions to address the ongoing climate crisis? Do you bring a strong background in climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives?

Our global Climate Solutions portfolio consists of the two priority themes "Nature-based Solutions" and "Disaster Risk Reduction". As the senior manager you are responsible for shaping the topical strategy, managing the budget, developing a pipeline of promising partners and projects and selecting the ones that most effectively contribute to Foundation's goals. In addition, you support our partners actively throughout the project implementation, monitor their impact and manage reporting. Your focus on partners' needs, along with your skills and collaborative spirit, helps you find the best solutions to achieve shared societal impact goals. Your compelling story telling about the impact created convinces different stakeholder groups. Your systematic approach to working in a global team enables you to strategically enhance the portfolio.

Key responsibilities include:

• Portfolio management of Climate Solutions:
  • Define the topical strategy, ensure achievement of strategic goals of the portfolio with focus on Nature-based Solutions and Disaster Risk Reduction.
  • Budget responsibilities for a CHF 10m budget over the next strategic cycle 2025-27
  • Create evidence basis for the supported approaches/business models as basis for scaling and replication.
  • Frame financial support strategies beyond grants to enhance the Foundation's "for-impact investing" portfolio.
  • Streamline supporting model for entrepreneurial solutions across the Foundation
  • Make network connections for the partners to optimize support and collaborations.
  • Revisit/refine approaches, conduct reviews and monitor implementation.
  • Support & mentor climate solution team members in reviewing grants and project opportunities & challenges
  • Co-develop the overall future strategy of the Foundation in collaboration with the senior Foundation colleagues

• Pipeline development and project management:
  • Identify and document 3-5 grant proposals annually for Board review. This would entail end-to-end ownership of all activities including soliciting & reviewing applications, conducting due diligence, refining focus and deliverables, negotiating contracts
  • Monitor project implementation and support partners to meet the agreed goals.
  • Manage and enhance tools and processes for the supported projects and portfolio
  • Further develop topic specific expertise and establish best-in-class practices.
  • Refine & strengthen impact assessment framework that is suited to Foundation's and partners' needs
  • Work closely with IT colleagues to de/refine the impact frameworks to derive meaningful insights from reporting platform(s).
  • Supporting the management of the topical team

• Stakeholder/Relationships Management
  • Actively position the Foundation with internal and external stakeholders with support from communication lead
  • Establish & strengthen coalitions with like-minded global ecosystem partners to amplify Foundation's impact
  • Represent Foundation at external platforms as a subject matter expert
  • Support Foundation's corporate volunteering team in identifying the best topical engagement opportunities at Swiss Re office locations
  • Build relationships with relevant teams (e.g. Group Sustainability, Public Sector Solutions) within the Swiss Re corporate entity to leverage their expertise for our partners
  • Manage relationships with vendors/service providers

About you

• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the social development sector, with a preference for experience within a corporate setting or social enterprise/start-up ecosystem
• A post graduate degree in social/sustainability/environmental sciences is preferred
• Demonstrated competence and successful track record in impact-oriented global portfolio management (active identification and selection of grantees and investees; partner-focused project management; impact management and reporting)
• Practical knowledge of climate change scenarios, analysis and application of projects and programs is preferred
• Robust understanding of latest trends & practices in Climate Solutions with focus on Nature based solutions and Disaster risk reduction
• Previous global experience with "for-impact investing" approaches is preferred
• Confidence in leading conversations with global stakeholders & leadership teams
• Ability to effectively communicate the societal impact of the climate portfolio to diverse target audiences
• Strong problem-solving skills and a data driven, analytical mindset
• High energy with proven organizational and project management skills, with an ability to work independently
• Ability to collaborate effectively across cultures, organizations & hierarchies
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and collaborative team member with a strong can-do mentality
• Detail orientated with the ability to prioritize multiple requests and deadlines.
• Willingness to take end-to-end accountability for the portfolio and 'get hands dirty'

About the Foundation

We want to build resilient societies. Together with our partners and Swiss Re employees, we support efforts to strengthen societal resilience in targeted developing regions and in countries where we operate. The Foundation's initiatives address the causes and effects of risks in specific focus areas, namely climate solutions and access to health. Our corporate volunteering program supports us achieving our social impact goals. For more information, please go to www.swissrefoundation.org

About the team

The Swiss Re Foundation team prototypes and executes initiatives and projects across the world in close collaboration with Swiss Re experts in the regions. Our global team has presence in the Americas, APAC and EMEA. Join our exciting journey to explore new ways to make the world more resilient. Our vision challenges us to pilot new approaches that combine our internal expertise, appropriate financing models and the excellence of our partners.