Executive Director AMES Foundation

Executive Director - AMES Foundation

The AMES Foundation is seeking an entrepreneurial and strategically minded Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of growth. This is a permanent, executive-level position based in Berlin, requiring a genuine connection to our mission of building a scalable conservation platform that combines biodiversity impact with sustainable financial returns.

About the Role

As Executive Director, you will work directly with the Supervisory Board to ensure alignment across the AMES ecosystem. You will be responsible for the long-term institutional development of the platform, integrating conservation impact with capital strategy and operational execution across three distinct legal entities: AMES Foundation gGmbH, AMES Operations GmbH, and AMES Habitat Fund. This role demands a high degree of autonomy and the ability to build institutional processes from scratch.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term strategy encompassing both conservation efforts and capital management.
• Assume full Profit & Loss ownership of the Foundation.
• Lead fundraising initiatives and represent the organization externally to investors, partners, and institutions.
• Drive institutional development and team building to reduce founder dependency.
• Ensure strategic coherence and operational momentum across multiple legal entities.
• Build and sustain a high-trust stakeholder network, including investors, conservation partners, and African operators.
• Demonstrate clear prioritization judgment within a lean team environment.

Requirements

Must-Have Criteria:

• Entrepreneurial Background/Structural Thinking: Proven experience in a founder environment (founder, early employee, or operator in a high-growth/startup context) or a background in top-tier consulting (MBB or equivalent) with the ability to bring clarity to complexity and prioritize effectively.
• Affinity for Nature and Conservation: A demonstrated interest in wildlife, conservation, or sustainability.
• Languages: Full professional fluency in both English and German is required.
• Right to Work in Germany: Valid German work authorization is essential.
• Leadership Experience: A minimum of 4-5 years in senior or leadership roles, with P&L or budget ownership being a strong advantage.

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in impact investing, venture capital, or philanthropic capital structures.
• Familiarity with German foundation law (Stiftungsrecht) or gGmbH governance.
• Experience working in African markets or in cross-cultural, multi-jurisdictional environments.
• Existing network within European conservation, ESG, or family office circles.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a tangible difference in the conservation of endangered animal species in Africa.
• A collaborative work environment with a passionate and like-minded team of entrepreneurs and decision-makers.
• Exposure to a high-calibre network of changemakers, CEOs, and investors.
• A competitive compensation package.