Executive Director, ProVeg China

Careers at ProVeg International

Are you looking for a career that combines impact and meaning with opportunities for personal growth and financial security? Are you keen to enter the exciting space of food systems transformation and turn some of the most pressing global challenges into sustainable solutions? Are you eager to join an international team of ambitious and motivated professionals? You have come to the right place!

The Executive Director will be responsible for the China ProVeg office and program. ProVeg China is an INGO that is responsible for the China-focused mission-based programs and advocacy activities (the entity is legally a subsidiary of ProVeg Incorporated in the US). The Executive Director reports to the Chief China Representative/Managing Director Asia and Board of Directors and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives in program development and administration. Other key duties include fundraising, PR, and stakeholder engagement.

Reports to: Managing Director Asia
Department: ProVeg China
Location: Shanghai, China
Hours: Full-time

Strategy Development & Implementation

• Assure that the organization has a long-range China strategy, in line with ProVeg’s wider strategy and its Asia regional strategy, which achieves its mission, and toward which it makes consistent and timely progress.

• Develop China programs that align with global and Asia-regional ProVeg efforts and seize opportunities for scaled impact.
  
  

Fundraising & Thought Leadership

• Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs and goals to raise ProVeg’s profile.

• Establish sound working relationships, engagement and cooperative arrangements with stakeholders, major donors and relevant organizations.

• Actively seek new fundraising opportunities.

• Represent the organisation, the programs and ProVeg’s point of view of the organization to decision-making bodies, companies, investors, the media, and the general public.

• Maintain strong working knowledge of significant developments and trends and significant players in the plant-based sector in China.

• Work with ProVeg International’s fundraising team to secure funds from international donors for ProVeg China.

Internal Leadership & Management

• Promote active and broad participation by stakeholders in all areas of the organization's work, including the board.

• Provide leadership in developing China programs, organizational and financial plans with the Board of Directors and staff, and carry out plans and policies. 

• Ensure regulatory compliance with all local, provincial, and federal laws; and develop governance systems and policies. Ensure all activities are carried out safely and legally and that official records are maintained

• Ensure sound relationships and frequent contact with government officers and staff.

• Review, anticipate, and manage operational INGO risks, including financial, legal, and sociopolitical. Make prudent decisions to minimise the risks faced by the organisation and its staff members.

• Ensure that staff in all other ProVeg countries understand the importance of Chinese working relationships, customs, and regulations, and ensure appropriate guidance is provided to relevant departments such as the Communications Department to avoid inadvertent offence or insensitivities.

• Serve as a member of the global ProVeg leadership team with responsibility for the success of ProVeg’s strategy, financial strength and inclusive organizational culture.

• Build and manage the China staff and consultants and professional companies, including establishing annual objectives, providing regular feedback and appropriate recognition, conducting annual performance reviews and supporting ongoing professional development.
  
  

Finances & Reporting

• Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices.

• Work with staff and the board in preparing the budget; see that the organisation operates within budget.

• Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organisation to carry out its work.

• Jointly conduct official correspondence of the organisation with the board of directors, and execute legal documents jointly with designated officers.

• Provide monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc progress reports as required to the Executive Team, the Board, and internal and external stakeholders

Essential:

• Clear commitment to the mission, vision, values and goals of ProVeg 

• A strong working knowledge of food system change and related trends

• A good understanding of Effective Altruism

• Proven experience of contributing to significant developments and working with influential players within the field of the plant-based food and alternative protein sector.

• At least 7 years of increasing leadership/management responsibility, with a proven track record of accomplishment ideally in nonprofit management.

• Excellent leadership skills with the highest level of integrity, quality, collaboration, and authenticity.

• Solid, hands-on, budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting.

• Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating and strategic program development.

• Experience with national and leading media organizations and channels, and a track record of PR success.

• Ability to convey the vision of ProVeg International’s strategic future to staff, board, volunteers, donors and other stakeholders.

• Solid track record of fundraising success and an enthusiastic, pro-active and entrepreneurial approach to revenue generation.

• Excellent oral and written communications

• Outstanding relationship-building skills with a wide range of diverse external constituencies, from elected officials and staff, public agencies and government regulators to manufacturers, community-based organizations and philanthropic institutions.

• Willingness to travel nationally and, in rare cases, internationally 

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, small yet rapidly growing nonprofit work environment.

• Experience in setting and achieving high-performance expectations that are motivating and results-oriented.

• Track record of seeking out and delivering timely and direct feedback that contributes to the ongoing development of oneself, team members and a positive organizational culture.

• Experience working with people from different backgrounds and a strong commitment to equal opportunities.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate Degree such as an MBA or other relevant discipline (food science, marketing, climate science, politics, philosophy, etc.)

• Dedication to a vegan lifestyle strongly preferred

• Knowledge about sustainability and a just food transition in China 

• Remote leadership experience

• Nonprofit governance experience

• Salary scales with experience and qualification.

• 20 days of paid holiday.

• Provision of work laptop and work phone.

• Flexible, trust-based working arrangements and home office arrangements.

• Strong organisational focus on personal development and designated training budget.

• Career-development support.

• Mindfulness Program.

• We are a workplace that encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to work. We are an inclusive workplace for our diverse employees around the world.

• And last but not least: become part of a great team and work with us towards a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet.

Application deadline: open until filled
Start date: ASAP

Further Information:
Your application should include a cover letter addressing your motivation and how you meet the person specification criteria and a CV. Please tell us where you found this vacancy. Please send us your application using our online form. (https://proveg.com/jobs/) Thank you.

The recruitment procedure consists of: 
1.    Online test, followed by the first shortlisting round.
2.    Online trial tasks.
3.    A phone interview, leading to in a second round of shortlisting.
4.    Additional interviews with the Senior Leadership Team.
5.    Final decision.

ProVeg International is a food awareness organisation working to transform the global food system by replacing 50% of animal products globally with plant-based and cultivated foods by 2040.

ProVeg engages with all relevant stakeholders to create a food system where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet.

ProVeg has received the United Nations’ Momentum for Change Award and works closely with key UN food and environment agencies. 

ProVeg creates global impact, with offices in 12 countries across four continents and more than 200 employees. 

Diversity Statement

ProVeg is committed to equal opportunity in employment for all, regardless of ethnic origin, religion, skin color, gender, age, national origin or ancestry, refugee background, genetic information, disability, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, HIV status, gender identity, or gender expression. People of Color, women, individuals with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA+ communities, older adults, refugees, and people living with HIV are explicitly encouraged to apply.

In 2020, ProVeg signed the Diversity Charter, a self-commitment and association dedicated to promoting a prejudice-free work environment.

In 2022, ProVeg achieved a score of 88.1% on the PRIDE Index, the LGBTIQ+ Diversity Performance Index, which is over 20 percentage points higher than the overall average of 67.9%.


Data Protection Information for Applicants 
More information about the processing of your personal data during your application at ProVeg e.V. can be found here in German and English. If you are applying at ProVeg INT, more Information can be found here, available in German and English.