We fight global warming with and for the many people. 

The IKEA Foundation is an independent philanthropy that fights global warming with and for the many people. Founded by Swedish entrepreneur Ingvar Kamprad, we are proud to share the heritage and values of the business he started – IKEA. Though we operate independently from IKEA, we hold a common vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. 

To pursue this vision, we support partners that are working to bring long-term changes to high-emitting systems with a direct impact on people’s lives: Energy, Land, Food and Forests, and Buildings and Transport. We are committed to reducing and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions through people-centred solutions. This support is made possible by financial resources generated over decades of IKEA business success. To date, we have provided nearly €3 billion in funding to our partners. 

Togetherness is our core value and lies at the heart of our work. We recognise that solving the challenges of this century will require unprecedented levels of collaboration. No single organisation or group of people will be able meet them alone. 

The IKEA Foundation is seeking an experienced, strategic and purpose-driven Director of Impact Investing to strengthen its team. The Director of Impact Investing will evolve and lead the Foundation’s impact investing practice under the organisation’s new strategy, deploying impact first investment capital to support systemic change in our focus geographies. The Director will ensure that investment capital is used in a disciplined, people-centred, and systems-oriented way, helping to maximise impact while remaining aligned with the Foundation’s mission and strategic goals. 

Reporting to the Chief Programmes Officer, the Director of Impact Investing will lead the Foundation’s impact investing function and work closely with Regional Directors, programme teams, and central functions to integrate investments into specific country and regional strategies. The successful candidate will oversee the full investment lifecycle from lead origination through to portfolio management and overall financial performance and impact measurement. They will play a key role in ensuring that investments complement grant-making efforts, helping to unlock innovative solutions, strengthen market ecosystems, and support sustainable, inclusive development outcomes. 

The Director will advance IKEA Foundation’s vision for impact investment that truly meets climate goals and the needs of the many people, leading the deployment of capital in ways that mitigates power dynamics and creates agency for those left outside the formal economy. They will work proactively to evolve the IKEA Foundation’s investment practice and, where possible influence the impact investment field as a whole, representing the Foundation within the broader impact investing ecosystem, building relationships with co-investors, investees, and partners while advancing more transformative, just, equitable, and people-centred investment practices.  

This senior leadership role requires proven experience in impact investing, mission-related investing, or related investment disciplines, combined with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people and planet. The ideal candidate will have experience in integrating investments with grants and system change strategies, and a proven track record of leading the full investment lifecycle. They will be a strategic and collaborative leader with experience leading teams through change, and an ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups including partners and co-investors.  

The position is full-time (38 hours) and based at the IKEA Foundation’s office in Leiden, the Netherlands, with regular international travel required. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential. 

This is a unique opportunity to join a passionate, international team committed to creating meaningful change.

For more information about the organisation, the role, and how to apply, please download the brochure. Informal enquiries and questions can be directed to Jess Winfield on +31(0) 202 404 375 or by emailing Jess.Winfield@perrettlaver.com. 

To apply, applications should consist of a covering letter explaining the motivation and qualifications for the position and a full curriculum vitae. Applications can be uploaded at https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/, quoting reference number 8496. The closing date for applications is at 9am CEST on Monday, 17th August.  

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