Managing Director, US/Canada

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

• Architect and lead the long-term regional vision translating organizational goals into clear, actionable campaign and programmatic roadmaps and strategies across the U.S. and Canada
• Oversee five programmatic functions and teams: animal welfare, plant based, Transfarmation project, organizing, and government affairs & public policy
• Lead the development of regional strategy in alignment with MFA’s global organizational-wide priorities and oversee its execution ensuring alignment with programmatic priorities and guardrails while being adaptable and pivoting towards the highest-impact opportunities
• Proactively identify and prioritize initiatives to drive systems-level change through advocacy, narrative change, and policy influence
• Lead regional planning processes, including annual and multi-year project planning, defined priorities and goals, and resource allocation
• Oversee the regional budget and ensure that all teams within the region make decisions that are fiscally responsible
• Create executive reports and present them to the COO and SLT
• Serve as a thought leader in the organization by participating in cross-regional committees and by partnering with colleagues across regions, departments, and functions
• Campaign Strategy & Execution Oversight
• Direct a sophisticated portfolio of pressure and advocacy campaigns designed to influence corporate and institutional practices, shift consumer behavior and advance policy outcomes
• Oversee the design of campaigns to execute our Theory of Change, ensuring regional initiatives are grounded in data-driven strategy and measurable outcomes and KPIs
• Guide teams in adapting tactics based on performance, external context, and learnings
• Bring a strategic lens to campaign integration across functions (e.g., communications, corporate engagement, policy, organizing)
• Team & Culture Leadership
• Act as a mentor and leader, supporting alignment among departments and ensuring high-performing, cross-functional regional teams
• Foster a culture of strategic clarity, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning
• Ensure alignment across teams while empowering leaders to execute within defined strategy
• External Leadership & Partnerships
• Represent MFA as a credible and influential leader in mission-driven advocacy spaces
• Build and maintain strategic and effective partnerships with NGOs, coalitions, policymakers, funders, and other external stakeholders
• Help shape external narratives and position MFA as a leader in driving meaningful change
• Performance & Impact
• Position MFA to report on and achieve clear metrics for campaign and regional success, with a focus on impact
• Regularly assess performance and adjust strategies to improve effectiveness
• Report on progress, insights, and opportunities to COO

Position Requirements

• Minimum 15 years experience, including at least 5 years of significant senior leadership experience leading strategy and teams in complex, mission-driven environments
• Proven experience designing and leading campaigns that successfully brought about systemic change, influenced corporate practices and standards, influenced legislative or government policies, driven behavior change, and/or shifted narratives
• Background in advocacy, public affairs, political or pressure campaigns, social movements, organizing or other mission-based campaign environments (nonprofit experience strongly preferred; animal protection experience preferred but not required)
• Expertise in campaign operations and power mapping, with the ability to orchestrate complex moving parts including corporate engagement and volunteer mobilization
• Well-rounded knowledge of and experience with farmed-animal welfare issues
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to identify high-leverage opportunities and translate them into actionable plans
• Demonstrated ability to lead and scale cross-functional teams and align diverse stakeholders
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders, external partners, and the public
• Experience working in dynamic, fast-paced environments requiring adaptability and sound judgment

Leadership & Core Competencies

• High emotional intelligence and the ability to manage and inspire large teams, manage complexity, and lead through influence
• Strong decision-making skills, with comfort operating in ambiguity and making trade-offs
• Excellent organizational and delegation skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and achieve results
• Resilience, adaptability, and a results-oriented mindset
• Ability to successfully embody MFA’s Core Values and Leadership Principles, which include expectations around integrity in decision making

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel, including for leadership meetings, conferences, demonstrations, press conferences, and meetings with industry stakeholders
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization and ability to represent MFA’s positions effectively
• Commitment to continued personal and organizational growth in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice principles